Watches...am I missing something?

I was about to include this little rant in my previous post, but didn't want to get too off topic. I honestly don't understand what the big deal is with watches. Maybe this is just me not understanding jewelry in general. The watch pictured above [2022 update - link no longer good; can't remember what it was] costs around $500,000, I think. I'll quote a little bit from the site I pulled the picture from:

Everybody would definitely be attracted to this timepiece because of its glow and sparkling effect. As you can see, this timepiece is bombarded with baguette diamonds found on the case, dial, and even on the bracelet. Its case is also presented in oval shape giving it additional appeal. Aside from the diamonds, this watch also has sub dials for the seconds and power reserve indicator found on the moon shaped detailing on it along with the star.

If you are looking for a precious timepiece to collect, this Girard Perregaux should definitely be included on your list. With this watch on your wrist, expect to catch everybody’s attention. Wear this at night with your gown for a more glowing and glamorous look.

Did I read that last part right? Isn't this a man's watch? I haven't worn a "gown" since I was 8, and it was actually one of my dad's t-shirts. Maybe it's a lady's watch. I don't know. Needless to say, I can't even comprehend purchasing a watch like this, for that much. I love how the author even tries to talk up its utility: "It has sub dials for the seconds and a power reserve indicator!" Oh good--I'm glad I just spent more money than 95% of the world's population sees in a lifetime on some fancy sub dials. I think the last time I consistently wore a watch was during my mission in Brazil. I didn't have a cell phone (this was 2000-2002) and had a pocket full of appointments. The watch was highly useful, so I used it. Ever since then, I can't say that I've consistently worn a watch for any significant period of time. And when I did, it was when I was going through a phase and thought man jewelry was somehow cool (I confess I occasionally wore a couple rings during this period). In fact right now I'm looking at the above-pictured decent-looking watch that my dad got me for Christmas, and I've worn it maybe twice. It even has buttons on the side, and a tiny digital portion behind the hour/minute hands. If I mash those buttons enough, I can eventually figure out the date, start and stop/reset the stopwatch, accidentally set the date two days off, mess up the clock as I try to fix the date, and finally hurl the damn thing across the room in frustration. In the meantime, I could have checked my email on my iphone and passed a couple levels of Angry Birds. If I were to ever buy a $500,000 watch--no, actually let's not even go that high. If I were to ever buy a watch with a price tag exceeding $1,000, in addition to telling me the time, it should:

1. Measure my heart rate, blood pressure, and blood sugar
2. Count calories
3. Double as my car key
4. Double as my cell phone (or at least link by blue tooth)
5. Be a walkie-talkie
6. Sound an alarm when bad guys are near
7. Have a tazer function
8. Remind me to call my mother
9. Order pizza
10. Tell the future

I could probably go on and on. You get the idea. People need to stop pretending watches are anything more than simple time-keeping devices. If you paid more than $50, then I've got some beautiful ocean-front property in Arizona to sell you, as well.

Getting Your Money's Worth

I didn't purposefully mean to come back to my blog after a two-month absence and write on a topic substantially related to my last post, but that's just how it worked out. I mourn the fact that my blog isn't really funny anymore. Guess I'm getting old and boring. If you want laughs, go here.

Lately I've noticed something about myself---my personality to be specific. I don't know that it's very unique. I'm sure a lot of people [who grew up in the great depression] are also like this. I like to make things last. I like to get my money's worth. While some people like to stay on top of the latest trends and fashions, I try to see how long I can keep wearing a shirt before it's in tatters and/or hopelessly out of style. (Fortunately, t-shirts probably won't go out of style in my lifetime.)

A few principles guide my tastes in this respect. First of all, I'm not one for sacrificing too much utility in order to make something last a long time. For instance, I could probably still be using my old motorola flip phone I got back in 2005 (or something similar). The utility of a smartphone far exceeds any personal preference I have to make an older cell phone last longer. Also, I'm not going to hang on to some old thing that becomes unreasonably expensive to maintain (like an older car).

I'm now sitting in my room looking around for stuff that I've had for a long time. Hey let's make this a little more photographic.



That wrinkled shirt I'm currently wearing...I probably got that in 2003 or so. I am definitely not a skater, but hey it fits well and only has one or two tiny holes. Why not keep it?




I got these sandals in Sao Paolo, Brazil in 2000. They told us about parasites we could get in our feet if we ever walked around barefoot, so we all went out one day and got flip flops. One of the straps came loose once as I was walking at the beach, so I took it to a shoe repair shop and got it fixed. They're as comfortable as ever.


These gym shorts I got back in 2005 or so. They have a tendency to fall down when I'm doing plyometrics (jump training) at home. It's not that I have any special attachment to them; I think I'm just too lazy to go buy some new ones. Also not shown are the comfy/lounge pants I'm wearing. They're cloth on the inside and that semi-waterproof ski material on the outside. I probably got them around the same time or earlier as these shorts. Sweats would probably be a better choice. Again, lazy. (I didn't take a picture because I've decided these pics are pretty lame. Also: lazy.)



This is the oldest item I have in my room that comes to mind. I got these on my 8th birthday and that trusty outer cover has kept them in relatively good condition for the past 20+ years. Items like these get more valuable with age as you go marking them up. You can even look back on what you marked (like during seminary) and chuckle a little bit over what you found interesting or deep back then. In that sense it's a little bit like a journal.

And the device taking all these pictures is my iphone. Still rocking the 3G (over three years old--ancient in electronics age) and milking it for all its worth. As I explained elsewhere, I don't like being manipulated into purchasing new products. Therefore, I have vowed to use this iphone until no longer practical. (When it comes to electronics, I'm typically much more indulgent in getting newer things since it is such a rapidly evolving industry.)

Well that concludes this exciting tour of the old stuff lying around my messy room. I just noticed an unopened bag of cashews lying on some shelves. Wonder how long I'll keep that around. Some might call me "cheap" for being like this, and that is perfectly fine by me. I figure if I can stay equally--or even more--satisfied with older stuff than a person who always must have the latest and greatest, then all the better for me and my wallet. Besides, then I have more money to spend on other people who might want or need newer and/or better stuff.