Tick. Tick. Tick.
The gentle, rhythmic ticking of a watch, each second marks the relentless passage of time. Now, imagine that watch transformed into a canvas. A scenic depiction. A wrist-sized snapshot of life in all it’s splendour, as well as displaying passing seconds, minutes and hours. In the vibrant city of London, nestled near the bustling hub of Tottenham Court Road, there exists a watch shop that sells watches that are not just markers of time. They are gateways to reflection, thoughtfulness and artistry.
Time-telling devices have become omnipresent. I would say the traditional wristwatch is pretty much a mere piece of jewellery nowadays. The time can be viewed everywhere. On your phone, on computers, in your car, on electronic boards in stations and other places that involve waiting or transport. For some reason they are predominantly popular with men. Yet, it is popular in a way that far exceeds other male fashion accessories such as bracelets, necklaces, belts, or shoes.
In at the deep end of the watch world
I am proud to say that someone close to me has taken the leap into entrepreneurship. My brother has started a business around a membership club. It is a club for everyone who is interested in watches, whether that be collecting cool and trendy Swatch watches, or buying more upmarket/rare pieces from established luxury brands. It really is a club for everyone. This interview gives context to any readers who would like to hear from the man himself.
The club is called The Watch Collectors’ Club (WCC) and they run events in London and other cities in the UK. I have attended a couple of these, although I would hardly say I am a long-term watch enthusiast. The events are great! Really. My brother has worked hard to create an inclusive, buzzing and convivial atmosphere. The WCC provides many benefits to it’s members (discounts for accessories, tours of brands factories) but most of all it fosters a sense of community. It reminds attendees that they are part of something greater than themselves. That other people share their passions and yet express joy in exploring the watch world in different ways.
Artistry beyond functionality
The WCC has had an impact on me. It’s tipped me off about brands I would never have heard of. Case in point, I bought a beautiful watch earlier this week. Getting off the tube at Tottenham Court Road, I visited a friendly, charming store on Neal Street, Seven Dials. Service was quick, the staff pleasant. Now, the watch is unique among most watches in that to the unknowing observer it doesn’t quite reveal the time. At least not at first glance. It is more of a concept. An unusual timepiece from a brand that specializes in unusual watches. Let me tell you some more.
There are no hands or numbers on the face. Instead, the face depicts a woodland clearing from above with a bird circling and leaves falling. The bird’s position around the watch face indicates the amount of minutes past the hour and the hour is shown by the position of a pointing leaf which moves around the face, like an hour hand would. There are tree trunks which are positioned round the dial where numbers or numerals would be. The colours are fantastic. It is subtle yet striking. Easily affordable too. The message? Well…
Doing nothing is time well spent
This watch is one in a series of artistic watches created by the British brand Mr Jones Watches. This series are all created in collaboration with the artist Kristof Devos. The timepiece itself asks owners to question their relationship with time. Devos states that one of his favourite past-times is to lie on the grass staring at the sky. So the message is a simple one. We viewers are reminded of the philosophy that champions beauty in stillness. This quiet contemplation actually embodies the Zen principle of ‘non-doing’. Itself an underscoring of the significance of moments where we simply exist, unburdened by action or intent.
To return to the topic of watches more broadly, in today’s fast-paced digital age, one might question the relevance of traditional timepieces. Could they really be just items of jewellery, as I suggested above. Perhaps not. Particularly in modern-day UK, watches have never lost their allure. This nation has a rich horological history, intertwined with stories of innovation, craftsmanship and prestige. These cultural factors play a pivotal role in sustaining the fascination, and so, watches remain both points of interest and symbols of style and legacy.
Wearing your heart on your sleeve
Delving deeper into this, the watch you choose to wear can speak volumes about your personality. It is not merely about brand names or price tags. It is about the coming together of function, fashion, and statement. A dive watch might hint at an adventurer’s spirit. An elegant, minimalist piece could suggest refined sophistication. Then there are watches chosen for their sentimental value. These could be heirlooms or gifts from loved ones, capturing moments, becoming intimate extensions of one’s identity.
In its continuous march forward, time has always been a constant, urging us to cherish every fleeting moment. As human creative agents, we fight against entropy when we move forward through time. Watches, with their constant movment, are more than mere timekeepers. They are talismanic companions which remind us of our intricate relationship with the passage of time. They call us to pause, to reflect, to understand the profound weight of moments and the choices we make within them.
Winding down
Do you own a watch? Do you think much about the concept of time? In the ever-evolving dance between past, present, and future, I implore you to ponder: what story does your timepiece narrate. Is it a part of your journey through life or just an accessory? How does it, with its unique blend of mechanics and artistry, link you to the larger world?
This is an invitation to introspection. Consider it a gentle nudge to recognise that while we all exist in time, we rarely consider the essence of time. As I look at the face of my Mr Jones watch I surmise that in those seconds in which we do nothing, we open ourselves to natural forces, channeling energies and possibly making countless decisions in our subconscious. I love it. And I hope you can find a wrist-borne companion that inspires you in the same way.