1967 was the year of purchase, and, despite the fact it has never, ever, even straight from a service, kept the right time, I have felt good wearing it 24x7 week-in, week-out, for all those years. Never have I been precious about the watch, I have worn it under every conceivable condition: work, play and sported it at the best events in the most exclusive places and always felt comfortable about it. On losing it, in a public park whilst playing football, I put up a £10 reward (so as not to too loudly proclaim its value) and had it found and returned.

Since it became 25 years old, servicing has become somewhat expensive, so I simply leave it a few years between, which seems not to alter its behaviour. On a number of occasions I have contemplated purchasing a new watch, but whenever tempted to explore the possibility, I always find that I cannot bear to separate myself from the partnership.