O norte-americano Thomas Carey define-se como "avid timepiece enthusiast". Ele anima um watch and clock forum e o grupo Watch Collectors Unit. E faz parte das ligações mais perenes e regulares que Estação Cronográfica mantém nas redes sociais.
There are many reasons why we have an affinity to a particular watch or watch brand.
One might be fascinated by its history and its impact on the world of horology. Examples that come to mind are Abraham-Louis Breguet’s invention of the Tourbillon in 1795 to George Daniels’ Co-axial Escapement, commercialized by Omega Sa. in 1999.
For me, it is neither. My affinity or rather love, for my brand is far more personal. It is a connection to my past and, present, hopefully it will also become a connection to my future.
The brand I speak of is Omega, in particular the Omega Speedmaster Professional, Caliber 861 from 1971. Why? It has always been my father’s grail watch ever since I can remember. Many a times I would walk by as a child with my Dad in front of a Jewelry store that had the “Speedy” on display and see his eyes light up like I probably did when receiving an awaited present. He never said a word but his eyes said it all. After many years of hard work and saving a bid here and there, he finally was able to purchase the watch in 1975. I was but a child , but still I can remember the love and care he had with his watch, especially when winding it every time. Years went by watching this sane ritual until one day he let me do the winding. How in awed I was with this watch, especially with the weight and how smooth it wound, from that moment on it became “our” ritual. Every night we would call me to wind the watch “together”, every night I would ask my father, “Did I do it right Dad?” His smile would say yes.
Then and there, my love of the Omega brand and particularly the Speedy Pro started.
As the years went by my father would wear his prized everywhere he went, always careful though with his baby. As for me, I started to collect vintage pieces from the 40’s and 70’s, always on the look out for my very own Speedy 861. Many opportunities came but always at the wrong time, still I kept at it.
About one year ago, my mother came to visit me from Chile, where my parents now live. To my surprise, she had brought my father’s Speedy as a present. Apparently my Dad decided it way time to pass his most prized possession to his son. I could not believe it. I remember rushing for the phone and thanking him for the watch, promising to take very good care of it. Finally had my grail!!! I waited till it was nighttime before I carefully wound MY SPEEDY and for one instance I heard myself ask, ”Dad, did I do it right?”
My Son is eight years old at the moment, so my winding ritual with him will have to wait a bit. Still, I call him every night and show him how to wind the watch and on occasions, I put it on his tiny wrist and watch his eyes gleam to gleam of my Dad.
Another Omegaphile for the ranks.
Sem comentários:
Enviar um comentário