A perspective on technology and watches...
Yesterday, I was at my parent's house going through some of my stuff in storage there. (So I am 40 years old and still have stuff in my parents attic...doesn't everybody?)
While I was doing it I hooked up the 1961 McIntosh receiver I inherited from an uncle to dad's pair of 1959 Jensen floor speakers to listen to music. Found three of my grandfathers old pocket watches (all were the cheapest dime store models available, but priceless to me). Wound them up and they ran fine. Found dad's 1950's Comptometer (non-printing adding machine) and my other grandfather's 1910 typewriter, they worked flawlessly too. The two pieces that didn't fully work were a 1920's radio (just made a hum) and a wire recorder which ran, but made no sound (probably both have a tube out).
While enjoying all this *old* technology that mostly still worked beautifully, I threw out several deceased quartz watches, some solid state stereo equipment that was solid defunct, and some *ancient* computer parts that were almost 5 years old and totally useless.
What's wrong with this picture? Why were all the "new and improved" devices that were 5 to 15 years old now useless and going into the trash while most of the 40+ year old devices were still going?
I enjoy quartz watches for their merits of convenience and accuracy...but this sure reminds me why I prefer to keep mechanicals as my 'better' watches. I know which I will still be enjoying another 40 years in the future!
