In primary school, I had an Alba watch (ALBA – close to the name of the current Aussie PM). Bet you millennials never heard of it. In all honesty, I just Googled it and surprise, surprise – the company is still in business!
Found out it was established in 1979 as well, so we are of the same age. I don’t know what happened to the watch; could have lost when I went to boarding school. Or maybe the battery died and we did not replace it.
What I do know is that I would wear it when I head over to play with my friends in the late afternoon (5-ish). My parents idea was plausible – get this boy a watch so he would be back before it gets dark/Maghrib (630ish).
Come on – you don’t really expect that to happen, would you?
My parents would be sitting at the front porch, gazing intently on me as I make my walk of shame back home. My late dad would quipped , “Even with a watch on, you would still manage to come back late?”. I believe this was my early exposure on being cynical. I don’t really get it at the time, but sometimes my kids say I’m really good at it.
Later on, I caught glimpse of a Swatch watch. I can’t remember exactly when but it would have been gold-coloured that straps like a bracelet. I have been wanting to own a Swatch for a while, like 20+ years maybe? There’s just something about the vibrant colours that caught my eyes but never had enough pushing factor to get one. I just felt content looking at phone, or just asking around for time.
Last July, I finally got my first Swatch! Woot-woot!
We were in the midst of our 6 weeks travel in Malaysia. It was not a planned purchase. Innocently waiting for my family doing their shopping at Genting Premium Outlet and, lo and behold, the Swatch shop was right in front of me. I exited the shop with mixed feelings.
It is nothing fancy, but I am happy. Little do I know that this won’t be the last time I get one. More on it later 😀
Whats with that smirk? 😀
Stay hungry, stay safe.
Kammys Musing 
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