Time On My Hands

In the heart of the city is a shop called Samaritaine. It is the fashion store, and has been for decades

Bob decided we really ought to visit. Apart from anything else, my watch broke recently, and I was wondering about a new one. One with hands to tell the time - no fancy step counting, heart rate monitoring etc. I went up to the floor where the watches were. A very kind lady discussed my choices, and whether I wanted a leather strap or a metal bracelet. Having encouraged Bob and me to sit down at the lower counter, she put a pair of black silk gloves, unlocked the case, and laid two wristwatches on a green baize tray.

She helped me try on the one on the left. The right hand one cost a little more, but came with a second, gold bracelet, so you could change it up for special events. The left hand one was just under €2000. But with the discount [Mother's Day Weekend] and the refund of VAT for foreign tourists, it would only be €1475. That's around £1250. I thanked her, and said they were both attractive, but we would go and have a coffee and think about it.

I didn't have to think too hard - do I look like a woman who wears a €2000 watch? In 1974, Samaritaine had an award winning ad campaign featuring King Kong. 

They are celebrating the 50th anniversary with a replica of KK's hand. You can pose in its terrifying grip. So I did

And what about getting a replacement watch? I now have a lovely Sekonda, with a metal bracelet, proper hands, a sweep second hand, and the date. Bob spotted it in the RSPCA CS on Friday. So I guess you could say it has a second-hand second hand.
It cost 1% of the French watch - just £12.50

And it ticks [and tocks] all the boxes. I am utterly delighted with it!

[Thanks for spotting it at the top of the glass cabinet, Bob]