Posted by Peter H on December 13, 2008 at 18:47:58 user Peter_H.
In Reply to: Re: Captain John's Chronometer and Barometer posted by ACB on December 13, 2008 at 23:03:21:
The £2 watch I mentioned (in Harrods 1929 catalogue) does not have a jewelled lever movement, but there is a gold wrist watch for £5 which does. I have rather lost track of where this thread is heading, but I think my point is that wrist watches could be obtained as cheaply as, or possibly more cheaper than, pocket watches. Also, we have to take regard of the very different way in which watches were regarded then, and regarded now. Then, it was, for a child, a prized possession, and it was just an instrument which told the time. Now, watches are a fashion accessory or alternatively a male symbol (look at the advertising!).
In my view, a pocket watch would not have lasted 5 minutes in a going state if one of the S&As had attempted to carry it with them. It would have either fallen out of a pocket or banged against something. Even wrist watches were at risk - most were not waterproof (which is probably why Roger's watch was always bust).
BTW, I do think this is a 100% AR topic. Time is very important in AR's books - you somehow get a clear idea of how the time of day is progressing without AR making it obvious. He comes closer to reproducing 'real time' in his books than any other fiction author I know.