When my friend Geoff French sent me a watch review, I was skeptical. After all, this is the same guy I discussed in my Seiko SNK789 review,
who knew nothing about watches and cared even less. Upon reading it, I
completely changed my tune. It appears Geoff has stumbled across a watch
that is both inexpensive and unique, and isn't that what The Time Bum
is all about? Enjoy...
Even
those of us with an “everyday” watch occasionally want to wear
something with a little splash. And although splash might start with an
unusual or at least very noticeable color scheme, fashion is just part
of the equation. There needs to be an element of sophistication or
cosmopolitan essence. Style that harkens to a previous period, or
vintage cultural references can be safe bets, but if you can combine
them with a foreign influence, then you potentially have everything you
are looking for: equal parts statement and conversation starter. It
attracts attention without the air of pretentiousness or superiority.
With
those guidelines, a watch that subtlety refers to an old TV show seems
to provide fertile ground. A reference to an old show can advertise your
awareness beyond current consumer pop culture; a cartoon reference
displays your fun-loving side and that you don't take yourself too
seriously. A call-out to a foreign cartoon balances the frivolity with a
international awareness if not world travel. Going along this logical
path may take you to Tin Tin or Speed Racer but let me suggest an
alternate destination: Anpanman.
Anpanman is a Japanese cartoon in
which the hero—whose head is made of a bean paste-stuffed bun—uses his
super hearing (among other powers) to fight for justice and feed
starving characters by allowing them to eat from his head.
An Anpanman watch hits all the right
notes. An obscure Japanese reference that demonstrates refinement and
culture without the risk of becoming a boor. The band is the stud type
that breaks from the run-of-the-mill bracelets and latches.
The face opens up to reveal a button
that causes the watch to play audio clips from the cartoon, sure to
break the ice equally effectively at office meetings and parties. These
watches aren't widely available (mine was hand delivered by a friend
visiting Japan) so you shouldn't be faced with the awkwardness of
meeting someone with the exact same watch at the exact same location.
The Anpanman watch does have some
disadvantages. It is unlikely to be waterproof and probably can't handle
a very hard bump. It protrudes substantially from your wrist. Also, it
doesn't indicate the time. For those with smartphones, this might not be
a major drawback, but for those that primarily use watches as
timepieces, this could be a severe limitation to its utility. In
contrast, this feature might add to the allure for those who see it as
an avant-garde statement, or who don't know how to tell time. Its
attraction might be highest among the preliterate crowd under any
circumstance.
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