Tea with AK71: Casio watch and The Price is Right!

In my last Tea with AK71 blog post which was about a vintage Rolex watch, I revealed in the comments section that I travel with a Casio watch. In case you think that it is a digital watch, think again.

I have not bought a digital watch since my Smash watch died years ago. I rather prefer analogue as they seem to harken back to the good old days.

My travelling companion.

I bought this watch because it just looks so clean and its bezel looks like a Rolex. How much, you ask? Let's play a game. Why not make a guess and leave your answer in the comments section?

We will see whose answer is the closest to the actual price I paid for the watch. Reminds me of the game show, The Price is Right!

Eligibility:
All ASSI readers are eligible to take part in this game. Employees of CASIO Worldwide, members of the immediate families and/or persons living in the same household as such persons and CASIO Worldwide associated agencies are not eligible to take part in this game. ;-p

Related post:
Tea with AK71: Vintage Rolex watches.

Tea with AK71: Vintage Rolex watches.

I recently have a new routine. I would wind a vintage Rolex watch every night. Yes, quaint, isn't it?

I have automatic watches, solar powered watches and, of course, the ubiquitous quartz movement watches. A manually wound watch? I haven't had one since my primary school days more than three decades ago.

Shortly after acquiring the watch, I spent some time online trying to find the exact year of its manufacture. I know, from what I found, that it has to be more than 20 years old but it could also be more than 60 years old. I was able to finally determine its age from its serial numbers.

My vintage Rolex Oysterdate 6694.

The watch was manufactured in the year 1956 which means that it is some 15 years older than me!

The watch is from a time when life was a bit less hectic than it is today, perhaps. It was a time when people would have the patience to wind their watches, perhaps. For sure, the internet did not exist then and information most probably flowed more slowly.

The daily winding of the watch is quite therapeutic, I have found. It helps to focus my mind on something simple for a few moments each day. It has a very calming effect.

When I showed the watch to my father, he said that only the rich could afford a watch like this during those days. It would have cost S$400 - S$600 when he was a young man and that was a lot of money back then. A clerk made only S$200 or so a month in those days.

A quick search on eBay for similar Rolex watches found asking prices of between US$1,600 to US$2,990. The only unit available from the same era as the one I have was asking for the highest price of US$2,990. Antiques have higher valuations, I guess.

A friend said that it is creepy that I should have such an old watch and not know who were the owners before me. I don't feel that way. This is a piece of history and I am privileged to be its new custodian.

Related posts:
1. Bought a new car.
2. Parting with an old friend.
3. Money well spent.