I clicked onto a video posted by watch Gringa critiquing an Omega Planet Ocean watch and decided to investigate your channel that she recommended, feeling fortunate that I made the effort when I read your pensive essay about time, fatherhood and the lessons that we hope to leave behind once our precious time is finished. I recently celebrated a 71st birthday so I am confident in admitting that I might be living in the back 9 of my time remaining. My modest party was arranged by our younger daughter and her partner at the sort of eatery where reservations need to be made weeks in advance, not the usual circumstance for me but suffered a lecture by my fierce wife to simply appreciate and enjoy the evening. Our server made a casual comment that it was uncommon to wait on a table of diners all sporting interesting timepieces, I assumed that while he was not wearing a watch, that he was obviously an enthusiast as well. I suddenly realized that I have dabbled with the mechanical trinkets for longer than I have been a loving husband, dutiful dad to our two young adult daughters who are certainly no longer children. They have been good sports about my harmless affectation, friends and even a few of their teachers over the years would refer to me as “the watch guy” when they both believed with firm conviction that I was so much more than that to them.

Recently I have decided to share some of my gently worn watches collected over the years with my daughters and one son in law, obviously at some point all that I have enjoyed will be theirs but for now I still have use for the majority.

My brilliant dad emigrated to Canada in the late 1950s with a young needy family and found employment in hot greasy Chinatown kitchens, finances were fragile but one summer day he arranged for steel Omega Seamaster watches for my older brother and me, I might have been age 9 or 10, 6 decades later I still own that first adult timepiece. My father was an intense, laconic individual, the simple Omega was an incentive to succeed in our new country and a reminder that our time is valuable and measured. Each new watch that I purchase returns me to that first and the unspoken lessons from my dad. I cannot articulate what stories my own daughters will assign to the steel items that they now wear each working day, hopefully the significance and value to them is greater than a small mass produced item can reveal.

Ben, I enjoyed your emotional essay about a deeply personal relationship with time and hope the journey continues for a very long time!

I purchased a first Breitling Chronomat from an elegant Swiss gent back in 1986 and no longer own that particular watch but have been loyal to the brand since. I was able to sell my Rolex Datejust and steel sub to finance a few household essentials after marriage and fatherhood created different imperatives in my life, lol.

Best,
Jerry Hom

Really enjoyed reading ‘My relationship with Time ‘. Being an ex ball player – I was pleasantly surprised for the baseball reference. The pastime of Baseball is very synonymous with fathers and their children – isnt it? What a wonderful picture you paint, of a Patriarch and his apprentice musing about life while throwing a stitched baseball to one another.
Unfortunately I have come to realize recently , that I have chosen poorly, in ways to spend my time. Often paralyzed with fear and doubt, I have walked through the maze of my life without hope and faith – much to my dismay. Its true I have wasted some time – but alas – I can see better now, as I choose to care for my mind and my serenity.
I Too Ben, love watches. I love how they look, i love how they feel , and I love the stories that they help create. I’ve started i modest collection – in Hopes one day to gift my precious timepieces to my precious boys – Lennox and Ellis. The thought of my boys losing their Dad scares me of course – but much solace is found in the thought that they would choose to wear my watches as they face the world.
Thank you for your article Ben – it certainly gives me pause to think about things – things like gratitude and generosity. Today I choose to live one day at a time , with hope and faith in my heart – and a beautiful wristwatch on my skin – that one day I will pass down to my proteges – who I hope live freer and with less restraint than I did.

Kind Regards
With gratitude and Love

Jason Lebrun