Classic Car Watches

I loved going over to my papa’s house when I was little. The house had so many special little knick knacks that kept the kids entertained for hours. Papa would always make sure there were candies and cookies available for us kids, and chocolate milk to drink. Needless to say-it was a kid’s heaven.

Papa also collected clocks. My favorite clock in the collection was this collector’s edition Ford clock. As a kid, I just thought there was nothing better than that clock. Now when I think back on my affinity for that clock I chuckle and I think about just how much I miss my papa.

When looking for that perfect gift for a friend or family member’s birthday, you want to achieve a balance of surprise and delight. In other words, you want your gift to be unexpected but also to be something the person receiving it would want. Here are a few ideas for looking for birthday gifts that are sure to be treasured and enjoyed.

~Keep your ears open, especially if you’re around someone all the time, they will drop little hints or indications of things they want but don’t necessarily expect.

~Chat with others, talking to people close to your giftee could give you an idea for a gift you wouldn’t otherwise get.

~Get involved; a lot of times people will have hobbies.  Is the person a car lover? Try getting them a gift from their favorite maker, like a Dodge watch.

Every Christmas there is a flurry of car commercials depicting people purchasing automobiles for their loved ones. Although my family is by no means poor, this extravagant of a present seems ridiculous to all of us. While we would love to wake up to find a new Cadillac or Mercedes with a big red bow on it, we realize that this isn’t plausible.

My dad has always dreamed of owning a Buick, but has never been able to afford it. Last Christmas I wanted to help make his dream come true, but doling out tens of thousands for a new Buick wasn’t in the cards. I decided for a more practical alternative and got him a collectible Buick clock instead.

I remember my first watch being a sign that I was ready to take on new responsibility. It was a symbol that I was old enough to manage time and be punctual without constant parental oversight. With the convenience of time telling mechanisms on cell phones, mp3 players and other handheld electronics, it seems like watch wearers are disappearing as fast as newspaper readers.

I’m disappointed to see the classic watch falling to the wayside. Perhaps people just need something to inspire them to wear watches again. Try looking for collectible watches that that will reflect an aspect of your personality and can be utilized as a fashion accessory.

Some people associate drag racing with the thrill of adolescence. It’s a popular pastime for bored high school students with a need for speed. Most small towns in America have that one rural stretch of road out past the city limits where kids gather to face off in an unregulated drag race. You might be surprised to learn that that teenage hobby is also a professionally sanctioned motorsport.

The National Hot Rod Association acts as the governing body for pro drag racing. As one might expect, rigorous safety standards are a huge part of the sport. Every driver is forced to wear fire-retardant racing suits, and a safety harness protects the driver from moving around in his seat at high speeds. An NHRA clock makes for a handsome gift, and it could act as a valuable reminder for teenagers who are participating in unregulated racing.

When I was growing up, people had a very rigid idea of what constituted the American Dream. After graduating high school I was expected to get a factory job with decent pay and adequate benefits. From there, it was all about finding a wife and raising a family. Once I secured a job at GM, doing quality control on the assembly line, I had the career that would support my family through the years.

That’s why it’s been so hard for me to watch the gradual downfall of the American auto industry. I’ve been retired for a few years and my financial nest egg is safe and sound, but I can’t help thinking about the young people entering today’s workforce. I glance at my prized GMC clock and think about the simpler times when a secure future was certain. All it took was hard work and dedication.

Corvettes have been my favorite sports car for as long as I can remember. From the first time I saw their sleek and curvaceous body, I was in love. No other car’s design can hold a flame to a Corvette’s build, in my eyes. Any Chevrolet products I can get my hands on, that pertain to a Corvette, I collect. So you can imagine my excitement when I found out they were making watches, a true collector’s piece indeed.

I remember the vivid details like it was yesterday. It was my 18th birthday and I was just being to feel like an adult. As I opened all of my presents my mind was racing with anticipation as I hoped to find the Chevrolet watch I had asked for. My parents had saved the best for last; it was my final present to be opened. I tore through the wrapping paper to find a silver watch with a cherry-red Corvette on its face. Filled with excitement I put the watch on immediately, it hasn’t left my wrist since.

What’s the one accessory every car has that nobody can keep their eyes off of? Give up? It’s the clock. The basic functionality of a clock is nothing more exciting than two tiny hands rotating around a bunch of numbers, how amusing. If your eyes are going to stray over to your clock multiple times a day, don’t you want to treat them to a little excitement? Installing a clock that not only tells you the time, but revs up your adrenaline every time you see it sounds like more of an exhilarating purchase.

When you swap out your old ticker for a custom designed clock, you’ll be more than satisfied with its new flashy appearance and all the compliments you’ll collect from your friends. Jazz up your dashboard with a clock that’s trimmed with neon lights, you’ll never strain your eyes to see it in the dark again. Why not match your car by installing a clock with its logo boldly stamped across its face? Whichever design you to choose to add more life to your clock, it will be a timeless piece of enjoyment.

A clock is used to indicate time and maintain the passage of time in designated intervals, including seconds, minutes and hours. The word “clock” is derived from the Celtic words “clagan” and “clocca,” meaning “bell.” For clock specialists, the word “clock” exclusively means a device with a striking mechanism that audibly announces intervals of time by ringing a bell, a set of chimes or a gong. Technically, a silent instrument that lacks a striking mechanism is known as a timepiece. The word “clock” is generally used to refer to any device that measures and displays time and is not worn on a person, like a watch.

Arguable, every person refers to multiple clocks each day. Personally, I look at my alarm clock, cell phone clock, computer clock, wall clock, oven clock and microwave clock several times a day. A clock can keep me from being late, tell me when it’s time to have a meal, or tell me what time my favorite TV shot is on. It can also be a decorative piece for a home. A grandfather clock is a large, attractive piece for a very traditional home, while a contemporary wall clock is easy to hang anywhere and is quieter than a clock that rings on the hour.

The Japanese Honda Motor Company is the world’s largest manufacturer of motorcycles and internal combustion engines, as well as the world’s second-largest Japanese automobile manufacturer. Its automobiles are known to be safe and easy to drive, making them ideal first cars for new drivers. Personally, many of my friends drove a Civic, Accord or CR-V in their first few years as licensed drivers, and my brother still drives a black Accord. Honda is also behind a dedicated luxury brand, Acura, which debuted in North American in 1986.

Many Honda owners are very fond of their cars, as they are safe and reliable. Forbes named five Honda vehicles in their list of the safest cars of 2009, including the Accort sedan and the Pilot. Honda has recently branded itself as safety-oriented, joining Volvo and Subaru with that comforting reputation. In this economy, that’s a smart move, as analysts say that car buyers are looking for safety over low cost. If you or someone you know is especially proud of their Honda, pick up a Honda clock as a birthday or housewarming gift. This automobile brand is certainly here to stay.