“They (watches) are a reminder of the importance of striving for greatness.”

Indigo Johnson

I am a big fan and serious collector of two items, which exemplify both engineering excellence and design sensitivity in my eyes – watches and pens. Not the new-fangled digital manifestations (although they do have their utility) – I truly cherish and appreciate the handcrafted versions of both watches and writing instruments.

In that context, my recent visit to the Omega factory in Biel was like a pilgrimage. It made me appreciate even more how an object, as small as a watch on a person’s wrist, can be crafted to speak so much about them. It also made me think about what is it in an individual’s character that determines their choices of accessories, and how these choices outlive them to create their lasting perception?

I will save the philosophy for later, but let me take a deep dive into why I consider mechanical watches masterpieces of engineering. It all starts with precision. The craftsmanship that goes into creating this work of art with its intricacies and assembly processes is definitely appealing to anyone who values fine craftsmanship and the idea of heritage. Watches outlive people and are passed on from one generation to the other, and I saw it myself at the factory when watches 100+ years old were being repaired. This heritage makes it a piece of history that stays alive with time.

The aesthetics are timeless; and they bring together form and function – engineering and design. Functional nature aside, they are also fashion accessories. Remember when actor Tamer Hassan said that he always judges a man by his shoes and his watch? The latter is almost always true, as it speaks volume about choices – like the blurb in a book that gives us a hint about the story within.

Unlike technology that outdates itself every few months, high quality mechanical watches are the definition of longevity. Proper maintenance makes them durable and able to withstand the test of time (can you imagine your smartwatch being relevant even two years from now?). The beauty of most mechanical watches is that they are self-powered by the motion on the wearer’s wrist. This self-sustaining feature eliminates the need for additional maintenance – and I believe this is a feat of human excellence in engineering.

Mechanical watches have a history that go back many centuries. It’s not only the sentiment of nostalgia that we associate with them that adds to their appeal, but also this connection to history. Any enthusiast would feel a great sense of pride to wear a timepiece that has a legacy. They are for life – a piece of engineering that lives on for generations. And while we’re talking of time in a metaphysical manner, it makes me wonder how something as small as a masterpiece of engineering can outlive generations. In a mortal world, a mechanical watch is immortal, which also reassures the wearer of stability. It is a constant that can serve as a reminder of the wearer’s existence for years after they pass. Even time cannot break its own monument of worship.

As I went back to my collection after my visit to the factory, I realized how my respect for these little ticking marvels had grown so much. While technology evolves at such a rapid pace, and we are already at the brink of the fifth Industrial Revolution, one needs to appreciate the wonder of engineering, design and commitment to precision in every single mechanical watch that has been built in all these years. It is a tribute to the human eye and a piece of worship in the world of precision engineering. While its objective is to tell the time, it is so much more. It tells history.