Time for fun

Sometime ago I think I posted a photo of this watch. I just ran across it again as I am doing some tidying and tossing.

Just for fun!

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About Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Fr. Z is the guy who runs this blog. o{]:¬)
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23 Comments

  1. Charles E Flynn says:

    Is the watch among the tidied or the tossed? The Roman numerals argue that someone was at least trying to make some aspects of the design go together.

    Possibly relevant, out-of-print, and now apparently controversial book:

    Kitsch: The World of Bad Taste

    In my experience, the book is a favorite among scientists who are worried that they lack aesthetic judgement and do not know where to turn for help. They read it while on vacation.

    [You think the watch is an object of bad taste, then. o{];¬) ]

  2. Charles E Flynn says:

    I think that is a fair tentative assessment. :-)

    I do not think that this watch is being sought after by the Museum of Modern Art for inclusion in its permanent design collection, or even the less prestigious design study collection. At the other end of the spectrum of watches would be the Henning Koppel watch for Georg Jensen (the first to be added to the permanent design collection), the original Ole Mathiesen watch, the watches designed by Dieter Rams and Dietrich Lubs for Braun, and the Alessi Record watch designed by Achille Castiglione and Swiss graphic designer Max Huber (has the advantage of being able to serviced at any Seiko dealer).

  3. RichR says:

    There’s something for everyone!

  4. Well… if it is as bad as all that, perhaps I’ll just toss it.

  5. eiggam says:

    Father,
    Putting the watch on e-bay may result in progress towards your Mac. I consider the watch to be a ‘collectible’.

  6. EBay…. hmmmm….

    I have never sold anything on EBay.

    I am not sure what I should want to ask for it.

  7. Patti Day says:

    Father, Do you actually own that watch? I think it is very cool.

    It reminds me of the Mickey Mouse watch I received as a Christmas present from my parents back in 19-whatever.

  8. Yes, I actually own this watch. For now. Since everyone is making fun of it, I may have to get rid of it quickly, from a strong sense of preserving my self-respect.

  9. APX says:

    Rubish. Watches seem to be turning into more of a piece of jewelry rather than a functional time-telling device. I was given a Michael Kors watch as gift recently, and while it’s a beautiful watch that I can wear with pretty much anything, I still have to double-check the time with my cell phone because unless it’s 12:00, 3:00, 6:00, or 9:00, I could be off an entire hour because the hands are too big between the four marked times for an accurate reading.

    This watch you posted, however, is functional because it has all 12 hours marked on it. It’s really not an eyesore as some of the watches I’ve seen people wearing right now. Personally, it’s not my cup-of-tea, as I’m not really into novelty items, and I would have to be conscious of what I wear it with. I wouldn’t toss it, though if I were you. It’s unique in its own special way. (Just don’t go flashing it around if you’re in New York during Fashion Week. ;-) )

  10. irishgirl says:

    Father Z-I don’t think that watch looks half that bad. It doesn’t look tacky at all. I’ve seen worse.
    Maybe you can sell it on Ebay and get some dough towards your Mac-that sounds like a better idea than tossing it.

  11. Charles E Flynn says:

    This is getting complicated. Now that the watch has its very own thread on a highly-regarded Catholic blog, it might be seen as a kind of celebrity of the world of kitsch.

  12. AnAmericanMother says:

    Father,
    Almost any young seminarian can help you out. The college kids seem to have gotten into this eBay thing in a big way.
    In my case, I enlist the help of my soon-to-be son in law, whose hobby is buying and selling stuff on eBay. Or the husband of a coworker who routinely gets rid of stuff he doesn’t want that way.

  13. EWTN Rocks says:

    Fr. Z,

    I think the watch is unique, enchanting, and dare I say quite beautiful (o.k. that might be a stretch) – definitely hold on to it, even if you can’t wear it every day. Who knows, you may
    find it useful one day.

  14. kelleyb says:

    Basil’s celebrity watch? I love the red watch band. Well, I like the watch. It may not be the most sophisticated watch on the planet by many standards, but I don’t give a frog for most of those anyway. It takes me back to the most beautiful place I have visited outside of a hospital nursery. It makes me smile.

  15. Ralph says:

    What’s wrong with the watch? looks ok to me.

  16. Biedrik says:

    It’s a great watch. Keep it Father!

  17. rcesq2 says:

    Father, if it works, wear it! If it’s a wind-up, all to the good. Fits in well with your Roman, Latin-retro persona.

  18. Anne M. says:

    Fr., I like the watch. Of course, I am the proud owner of a Sorry Charlie (starkist tuna) watch which I used to wear as a child. I loved that watch.

    Selling on Ebay is easy. I sold enough junk on Ebay last year to buy myself an IPod.

  19. Banjo pickin girl says:

    Oh that beats my Timex Easy Reader all hollow. There are saints watches available too.

  20. benedetta says:

    But I am one who likes this watch. I see that the band is red. For different reasons I really like the overall plan of the collonade “arms” at St. Peter’s. I wonder what era the picture is from. I also wonder about those two little tents on either side? What would those be used for, with red crosses?

    We all need reminders, some of us more frequent reminders than others.

  21. MJ says:

    Personally, I love this watch. :) I probably wouldn’t actually wear it – just because I am a woman and it would look a bit “heavy” – but I think this watch is great! Keep it, Fr. Z!!

    If you do “ebay” it for a Macbook, I would be cool with that too…after all, I’m typing on a Macbook right now.

  22. ReginaMarie says:

    I happen to like it! It reminds me of the time when a wonderful priest we know was celebrating Mass for our Catholic homeschool group. As he vested for Mass in the presence of the children, Father explained the symbolism behind each item he wore & shared the particular prayer he prayed as he put on each item. The last thing he did was to take off his wrist watch. In doing so he said that, as he was about to celebrate Mass, he would now be entering the eternal without time. It really made an impression on the children. I betcha our aspiring-priest 11-year old son Isaac would love to wear this watch!

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