When watches were special
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (340019)
Rockingham, Australia
March 20, 2018 6:39am CST
I posted about my lovely new watch which cost $1.69c. This included postage. In fact the postage cost more than the watch. It came from China so it may not last too many years but at that price it won’t be the end of the world if I only have it for a short time. My husband is expecting the gold to rub off within a week.
But haven’t times changed? When I was growing up, a watch was often given by parents as a very special gift, perhaps when you turned 13 or even later. Watches were expensive in those days and held great value. Gold watches were given as a gift by employers on the retirement of a valued long-term employee.
Nowadays quite young children have watches and many people have multiple watches. You can still pay a fortune for a watch but you can also get them very cheaply.
Can you think of other items which once meant much more than is now the case? I guess an elegant fountain pen is one example.
As I’ve already put up a photo of my watch, I’ve chosen to share with you a photo of the clock at Menzies, a town in the goldfields area of Western Australia.
14 people like this
16 responses
@arthurchappell (44998)
• Preston, England
20 Mar 18
I remember calculators being very expensive when they first came out - now they are ridiculously cheap
2 people like this
@arthurchappell (44998)
• Preston, England
20 Mar 18
@JudyEv yes, they are much better now - most computers have them on board too
1 person likes this
@snowy22315 (180740)
• United States
20 Mar 18
Youa are right watches used to mean something,,and there are still some nice ones around..but nowadays most people don't even wear them due to cellphones having the time available.
2 people like this
@Juliaacv (51197)
• Canada
20 Mar 18
Yes, they used to hold quite a value-before the cellphone era. Now you have access to the time just by carrying your phone with you.
My grandparents on my Dad's side always gave us each a nice Timex watch for our 10th birthday. Before that they gave us a small amount of money each year, but after you got your watch, you just got a card for your birthday as you were considered older.
2 people like this
@JohnRoberts (109846)
• Los Angeles, California
20 Mar 18
That is a lovely old building. I have very old pocket watches passed down from relatives.
2 people like this
@JudyEv (340019)
• Rockingham, Australia
2 Sep 18
@compslick They come in a great range of prices now too,
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (340019)
• Rockingham, Australia
20 Mar 18
I've got used to wearing one but I may not wear this continually. It has to sit quite high on my arm and it's almost too pretty to wear when we're working outside. Maybe I need to buy a 'cheap' one for everyday! 
@JudyEv (340019)
• Rockingham, Australia
23 Mar 18
I could hardly believe it either! But I'm wearing it and only $1.69 has come out of my account so I think it is true. 
But I'm wearing it and only $1.69 has come out of my account so I think it is true. 
@allknowing (136446)
• India
21 Mar 18
What used to be rare during my childhood is there for me at my beck and call. The list is endless.
1 person likes this
@allknowing (136446)
• India
21 Mar 18
@JudyEv We had very little money those days.
1 person likes this
@hereandthere (45645)
• Philippines
20 Mar 18
yes, i received a watch when i graduated from elementary. i also remember how special sign pens were. i still wear a watch.
1 person likes this
@hereandthere (45645)
• Philippines
21 Mar 18
@JudyEv mine is cheap. i find it easier to check my wrist than take out my phone from my bag. people have also asked me for the time.
1 person likes this
@JESSY3236 (19949)
• United States
20 Mar 18
yeah watches and pens were special gifts. I get my watches at Walmart. I did have one special watch that I loved, but my uncle wouldn't find someone to get the battery changed for me.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (340019)
• Rockingham, Australia
2 Sep 18
@compslick Usually it is just the battery but in this case it must have been something else.
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43418)
• Denver, Colorado
24 Apr 18
An engraved flask is always a nice gift. For someone who drinks.
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43418)
• Denver, Colorado
25 Apr 18
@JudyEv - It's still a nice gift.
1 person likes this
@Hannihar (130218)
• Israel
2 Sep 18
@compslick
I got hand me downs on clothes when I was young. I bought a new watch so I have 2 if one stops and needs a battery then can use the other. It has a big dial and big numbers to see and love it.
1 person likes this
@sw8sincere (5204)
• Philippines
20 Mar 18
yes watches are very much affordable nowadays that almost everyone I saw on the street has their own watches. =)
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (340019)
• Rockingham, Australia
20 Mar 18
The gift of a watch wouldn't be a bit special nowadays would it?
@sw8sincere (5204)
• Philippines
22 Mar 18
@JudyEv yeah, most especially some women fancy more on jewelries like necklaces, earrings and luxurious bags. =)
1 person likes this
@shaggin (72131)
• United States
20 Mar 18
When I was a kid it was a style to wear many watches on both wrists. I had a lot of them but did not care about the time I have never worn a watch since then I have the feeling of them on my wrist. My boyfriends son always wears one. My father has a pocket watch he was given by his father when he got married I believe. Personally I'm with your husband anything you buy online from China will likely fall apart soon after. I ordered things a few times that way and learned my lesson.
I have never worn a watch since then I have the feeling of them on my wrist. My boyfriends son always wears one. My father has a pocket watch he was given by his father when he got married I believe. Personally I'm with your husband anything you buy online from China will likely fall apart soon after. I ordered things a few times that way and learned my lesson.1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61102)
• United States
21 Mar 18
I always wear my Bulova watch every day it isn't terribly expensive but about $200 and I have been wearing it for years, I love it.
1 person likes this
