As the revival gains traction, people of all ages are seeking out and proudly displaying an array of watches and clocks
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THESE SALTWIRE VIDEOS
HALIFAX, N.S. — Among Dr. Hugh Maguire’s most prized possessions are two watches, one of which has countless memories associated with it and continues to withstand the test of time.
“It’s a Seiko 6309-7040 Turtle Diver, and it was given to me in St. John’s, N.L., by my parents for my 21st birthday,” he says.
The vintage keepsake, which he’s been wearing pretty much every day since Aug. 15, 1986, holds tremendous value to Hugh, who now lives in Truro, N.S. The same watch was also given to his five brothers and it’s emblematic of a generational connection.
“The sentiment comes from the relationships and bonds it recalls,” he says contemplatively, noting his parents have passed away in recent years. “It’s all about family; one watch connecting three generations: my parents; my brothers; and now my family.”
His other watch is also imbued with symbolism. Hugh happens to share a birthday with his son, Brendan Maguire, of Halifax, N.S. who turned 21 last year. In the spirit of tradition, Hugh’s wife, Diana Maguire, surprised her husband and son with matching diver watches: the Orient Kamasu.
“I wear that watch sometimes; mostly when my son is home, or when I know I’ll be with him,” he says.
Read more
Self-expression is back: What you wear can add a joyful flair to your day
Bold colours, shag cuts and even the mullet are now in style in Atlantic Canada’s salons
Recently, there’s been a resurgence of interest in watches and clocks. Whether you’re a seasoned collector, an avid follower of trends, or a décor maven, this revival is gaining traction among a wide range of age groups and an array of watches and clocks are being coveted and proudly displayed.
Hugh’s daughter, Clare Maguire, has three watches: an elegant Bulova for special occasions; a colourful Swatch; and a sleek Fossil.
“It has a brown leather strap and silver clasps, a big white face with a gold rim, a little slot for the date, a ticking second hand and Roman numerals,” she describes.
A gift from her parents for completing her undergraduate degree in Psychology at Mount Allison University in Sackville, N.B. in 2020, she wears it every day.
“I also use it as an accessory; I think it goes with a lot of my outfits and I think it’s pretty attractive.”
The 23-year-old, who is currently residing in Montréal, Québec, also credits her watch with being an indispensable tool for effective time management. She’s in her first year of an Applied Master of Science program in Speech-Language Pathology at McGill University. She’s also an award-winning musician with several exciting projects underway, so balancing her many commitments is a priority.
“I prefer the watch to my phone, because I don’t have to take my watch out of my pocket to check the time and because every time I check my phone, I’ll get distracted by a notification or something.”
She mentions her watch is especially helpful on busy mornings when she’s constantly checking the time to ensure she’s on schedule for school or work.
Fitbits making watches popular again
Kerry Foss, of Dartmouth, N.S. is literally attached to her two watches. “My wrists feel naked without a watch,” admits the executive assistant at the Nova Scotia Barristers’ Society and chief executive officer and chief artisan of Sudz in the City, her burgeoning venture which boasts a unique line of bath and body products.
She has a Timex watch bracelet, which she bought in 2019, in addition to a Fitbit Sense, which she snagged earlier this year. She can be found sporting it on most days, mentioning how convenient it is to answer or decline a phone call with a glance at her wrist. The many apps are also a big draw for her.
“Mainly, I use the ones that keep track of my heart rate and my steps – the information I’m interested in seeing at a glance; including the date and time.”
As someone who attends many meetings at work, taking notes and preparing minutes, relying on a watch is essential.
“It wouldn’t be appropriate, or feasible, for me to stop typing during a discussion to lift my phone up and check the time; not to mention a little rude and potentially disruptive,” she points out. “With a watch, I’m able to do so quickly and discreetly whenever I need to.”
As for her Timex, which she snaps on when she’s aiming for a swankier look, she loves how it’s a statement piece.
“It’s a bit bold, so it grabs your attention. The face is also a bit larger than you’d normally see on a woman,” she says. “For me, it’s the watch version of the power suit.”
Over in Middle Sackville, N.S., Foss’s mother, Crystal Stadling, a happily retired hospital administration professional, and Crystal’s husband, Hans Stadling, a pump technician at Brewster Well Drilling, have a clock from Sweden they treasure.
It was crafted in 1994 by Hans’s childhood friend, Kai Jonson, who, like Hans, is from the town of Lycksele, Sweden.
“We love that it comes from my husband’s part of Sweden and his friend made it for him,” Crystal shares. “The clock is made from the wood of a cherry tree, which gives it the beautiful colour; it also has a unique grain of the wood. It’s a beautiful piece of workmanship and a little part of Sweden is with us in Canada.”
Valerie Fitzpatrick, of Milton Station, PEI, knows just how special clocks are to so many people. In addition to being the community connections coordinator at the Immigrant & Refugee Services Association of PEI, she’s the face behind Fitzpatrick Clock Repair.
“I repair mechanical antique wall and mantle clocks, cuckoo clocks, large grandfather clocks and battery-operated clocks,” she explains.
The clock aficionado has been doing so for 19 years. The majority of her customers bring their clocks to her home for service, but she also does house calls across PEI for large grandfather clocks.
“More than a few of my customers have brought me clocks built by their late fathers or grandfathers and the sentimental value they hold is immeasurable,” she says. “Many others have packed up their grandfather clocks multiple times for trips across the country, or across continents.”
An aspiring minimalist, she owns approximately 20 clocks, a number she says is quite low in comparison to many of her customers, who are real collectors.
“All clocks are beautiful; especially the old ones. Their sentimental value can’t be measured. The wood, the weight of them, opening them up to see the inner workings and you get to use a little key to wind them – clocks are just plain cool.”
Fitzpatrick was inspired to pursue this path by her beloved grandfather, the late Charles Oakes. Born in Granville, PEI, he spent his life in North Wiltshire, PEI until his passing in 2007. A local legend, with tales about him still circulating across the Island, his legacy endures.
“When I was in university, my grandfather was getting older and he wanted someone in the family to take over the ‘care of clocks’. I didn’t think I was the right one to do it,” she says.
“I wasn’t sure I had the mechanical aptitude, but my aunt, Darlene Oakes, really encouraged me to get involved. I guess she saw something in me and I’m very glad she did.”
Fitzpatrick reflects on the time she spent with her grandfather, who mentored her, with much fondness.
“I got to spend some really special one-on-one time with him, learned a really cool trade and it’s allowed me to meet and help a wide variety of people.”
She adds that traditionally, clock repair was done by men on PEI, but that most of them were in her grandfather’s generation and have sadly passed away.
Fitzpatrick remains wholeheartedly committed to honouring her grandfather’s legacy and encouraging a whole new generation of women to uphold it.
“All I can do is try my best and pass on the tradition to my cousin, Savannah Oakes, and to my own daughter, Catherine Fitzpatrick. The care of clocks is something that must be encouraged and sustained, because many people love their clocks and want to pass them down to the next generation.”
Ensure local journalism stays in your community by purchasing a membership today.
The news and opinions you’ll love for only $20/ a year.
Start your Membership Now
Sharing voices. Creating stronger communities.
$20.00/YEAR
FLASH SALE
UNLIMITED DIGITAL ACCESS