Hello all!

[OneBadWolf]

Hello everybody. I'm from Canada, and have been passionate about clocks and watches since I was a young child. I disassembled my first clock (a mechanical alarm clock) at age 7, hoping to sell the "jewels" that were supposed to be found within, to finance some form of transportation, bike, skateboard, airplane etc. I had to make screwdrivers small enough to use on that poor clock, which I created from nails that I hammered /filed blades into, and used pliers to make a 90 degree bend, as a handle. Unfortunately, they worked well enough for me to tear down the clock, in search of the diamonds, emeralds and sapphires etc, that the dial clearly stated were contained inside. 

It didn't end well for the clock. The mainspring was quite a surprise. And no airplane. That took me an entire lifetime (another 7 years) and 2 Summers of savings from mowing many lawns, before I managed to acquire a used, and abused hang glider. The logistics of being 14, and owning, storing, flying and concealing such from meddlesome parents, would require too much typing to get into here. I eventually got my pilot's licence, and even got my airplane, although, many years later.

I  remember reading about watches that used LEDs in Popular Science, and later LCDs, and their huge cost when they first came on the market, and this influenced my preferences when I first began buying watches.

I would  continue taking apart watches, and clocks, most destined for the garbage as the era of quartz, and electric had begun, and many that wouldn't run, could be made to run with a little oil in the right spots, or re-attaching the unbroken part of the main spring, if there were enough left, so it could be wound again. There were few sources of related information, as the internet was just beginning to be a thing.

At some point, I noticed I was actually repairing more than I destroyed, and the exposure to the various mechanisms, linkages, contained in clocks and watches, gave me helpful perspectives as I became a locksmith, and gunsmith, interests which were related to my other careers.

I'm shocked by how many people no longer wear a watch. However, of those who do, I'm pleased that so many have an interest that surpasses fashion, or even function. In an age where the individual ownership of an Atomic Clock, is not only possible, but more affordable, and smaller than the shortwave radio that I used  to synchronize my watch every week. I believe the anachronism of a person buying a mechanical watch demonstrates that there may still be hope for human race yet.

I'm still getting an Atomic Clock though.

 

Thank you to those who created this forum, and those who contribute to it.

Edited May 9, 2021 by OneBadWolf

[oldhippy]

Thank you for your introduction and welcome to this friendly forum.

I don't own or wear a watch anymore. I just have clocks around the home. 

[Nucejoe]

Welcome to WRT.

[Ludo1986NL]

Welcome to the forum! Lots to learn  

[Michael1962]

Welcome to the forums.

I have a few watches. I hardly wear a watch anymore, but I should. My wife gave me a quartz pocket watch for my last birthday. I add it to my attire more than any of my other watches now.