All this and John Cameron Swaze too!
Young people have no idea what they're missing (their loss is actually ours since they're not aware of it). Not only have LP's and CD's gone out of style (replaced by downloaded MP3 files) but watches as well (replaced by the digital read-outs on cellular phones and iPods). I'm sorry but the only thing that keeps me functional in our overly-digitized gadget-driven world is a plain-old plain-spoken fashion-resistant watch like this Timex with a bland analog face that even a mother wouldn't love--only a great grandmother or someone with as long a memory as mine.
But this piece is redolent with its own memories--of the special telecasts of all-star live jazz spectaculars sponsored by Timex and hosted by former newsman John Cameron Swaze. Amid the flurries of fringe-reception snow you might catch momentary sight of Benny or Louis or Ella and even hear a few notes of "Perdido" or "When the Saints Come Marching In." But most memorable of all were the commercials: Timex watches being subjected in "real time" to fire and ice poundings and shakings high-dives into pools of water followed by Swayze's invariably reassuring and authoritative commentary on the outcome: "The watch that takes a licking and keeps on ticking."
Hate to admit that none of my Timexes purchased in the '50's are still ticking but this one which boasts a "ten-year battery" is thus far showing promise of a good strong heart. And unlike the '50's version this new and improved (can that be possible?) Timex lends extra support to those of us who have lost all but our long-term memories: it even offers a reminder of the date and day of the week as well as hands that light up without the radium coating. Best of all it's no less affordable than its 1950's counterpart. If anything it's kept behind the pace of inflation! (Thank you China for making possible the continuance of an American tradition).More detail ...
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