Hi!

[stroppy]

I'm a retired administrator from Australia.  I've been mad about watches since I was 11.  I have a huge collection of watches, much to my wife's chagrin.  I am still collecting the things!  The family will have a field day when I leave this mortal coil because I am leaving the distribution of the watches to my executor.  I wonder how she will distribute them?

 

I won't worry...I'll be visiting the King of Time upstairs (I hope!)

[Geo]

Hi Stroppy, it's good having you actively on board and I'm sure you will enjoy it here. Like you I have too many watches to mention, the majority of which I must get around to servicing!

[bobm12]

Good to have you around!

[dadistic]

Greetings!

 

Sometimes my watch collection reminds me of Shell Silverstein's "Sarah Cynthia Sylvia Stout" :-)

 

[oldhippy]

Hello and welcome. I'm more into clocks and retired from watch/clock making years ago.

[stroppy]

Thanks for the warm welcome.  I feel quite happy here amongst fellow "watch aficionados".  Dadistic...that song was perfect and most apt in describing my watch collection PLUS it gave me a good belly laugh and that's a great present for anyone...thanks!

 

Oldhippy...  I have a collection of clocks too.  I have a genuine German Cuckoo clock (pre WWII) that my parents brought over from Italy when they migrated to Australia in the early 50s, a lovely chiming Hamilton mantle clock, several Westclox wind-up alarm clocks from the 40s and 50s and some very early "Diamond" brand Chinese wind-up alarm clocks.  So, my friend, we are of a like mind.  The only thing I am unhappy about as regards clocks is the fact I have no room for a grandfather clock and I'd LOVE to have a really good one of those. 

[oldhippy]

Did you know the very early cuckoo clocks were spring driven fusee type and never went on the walls, they would stand on a flat surface. It was quite some time before the weight driven ones came along. I used to specialise in antique clocks and I have restored hundreds of Longcase clocks (grandfather clocks) and antique watches. 

 

[stroppy]

Did you know the very early cuckoo clocks were spring driven fusee type and never went on the walls, they would stand on a flat surface. It was quite some time before the weight driven ones came along. I used to specialise in antique clocks and I have restored hundreds of Longcase clocks (grandfather clocks) and antique watches. 

 

I never knew that about Cuckoo clocks.  I DO know that there'll be a fight after I die about which family member ends up with the cuckoo clock that my parents brought over.  Everyone wants it...the kids, the nieces and nephews...everyone!  I just hope they treat it right and don't ruin it by letting little kids pull on the chains, etc....  One of the nephews calls it the "Kiss/Gene Simmons clock" because the cuckoo's mouth opens and his tongue wags when he is cuckooing.  

 

I envy you your watch and clock making and repairing skills.  My hands are too shaky and my vision is not a patch on what it was when I was a kid.  If I laid hands on an old clock I'd probably destroy it!

[oldhippy]

I'm a bit shaky at times. I find what I used to be able to repair at times I can hardy see. That's what you get by getting old and diabetic. 

[stroppy]

I'm a bit shaky at times. I find what I used to be able to repair at times I can hardy see. That's what you get by getting old and diabetic. 

 

 

I hear you, my friend.  Age is the sneaky terrorist that first steals our abilities and then conspires to steal our lives.  

[klinej54]

Welcome aboard from the pocket watch side of the clubhouse, Stroppy.  I asked my doctor to change my blood pressure medication to a beta blocker in an effort to steady my hands, and most of my watches are 18s.  Compared to the movement size that interests most of the group, mine are more like clocks!

[Vich]

Hello Stroppy and welcome from me,

I suggest you strip the cuckoo clock down to its component parts and amend your will to leave it to the only one of the beneficiaries that can put it back together within a set time limit.

At least then you know they have had to work for the benefits (:-))

Cheers,

Vic