Watch Gang-First Watch-Aeromat

 Later, I will write about my first Watch Gang watch. But before I do that...

The Harlem Globetrotter watch you see is the first watch that I owned. It was a Christmas present from Santa that I received in 1971, and it still runs! I was wearing it yesterday.

I remember picking it out of the Sears catalogue. I was in third grade, and was very excited that I could tell time and that my parents thought I was old enough to have a watch. I was torn between one of my favorite Saturday morning cartoons, The Harlem Globetrotters (a quick note on the Globetrotters cartoon-the theme was written by Jeff Barry, music supervised by Don Kirshner, and featured three relatively famous African-American actors doing voices, Eddie "Rochester" Anderson, Scatman Crothers  and Robert DoQui-ask your parents if you don't know who they are), or one of my favorite toys, Hot Wheels. I remember thinking long and hard about it, but went with the Globetrotters.

I wore that watch every day, even breaking it twice, and for reasons unclear to me now, my Mom would take it and have it repaired for me. Around the Bi-Centennial, I remember switching the band for this great red, white and blue strap that I had on it through high school. In high school, I had more 'grown up' Sears diver-style water proof watches, but would still pull the Globetrotter out of a drawer once in a while to wear to change things up. 

Years later, in '90 or '91, I was on Melrose at Wanna Buy A Watch, looking longingly at the cases of vintage watches, and there was my Harlem Globetrotter watch! They had it for $200 at that time. That seemed like an awful lot for a character watch, (currently there is a 'Dudley Do-Right' listed for $750), and though mine is hardly mint, I dug it up, had it serviced, and put it on, alternating it with several other watches.

Which brings me to my Swatches....

As many people will tell you, I'm not very prompt. I've gotten better about it over the years, but punctual has never been a character trait of mine. I saw this watch in the case of the Broadway in 1984, and had to have it. It spoke to me! But I didn't have the $30 it cost, and had to wait until my next paycheck. Then when I was paid and went back, they were all gone! The nice girl at the counter said that she thought the next Swatch shipment was supposed to come in the following Wednesday, and the following Wednesday, I was there. I asked a different counter girl about the Swatches, that I wanted the one that said 'Don't Be Too Late,' and she said she didn't know if they'd gotten anymore of those, that she'd heard that Swatch made limited amounts, but she'd check.

I waited an agonizing few minutes as she walked to the back, but then she brought one out. Success! I had my first Swatch!

I've bought several Swatches over the years, but nothing struck me the way that this one did. It must have hit a lot of people the same way, because on eBay they still fetch a pretty penny. It was my every day watch from 21 to 28, and as you can see, I beat the hell out of it. I was surprised that it still ran, but with a fresh battery, my near 40-year-old Swatch fired right up. I've tried changing the batteries in a few others that I own, and though the watches ran fine many of the straps deteriorated to the point of being unwearable-and for a few of the Swatches, the bands were an important part of the design.

Swatch has re-released the "Don't Be Too Late," design like this (same design but words are different colors), and this (same message, but much less subtle). I might buy the first one for old time sake.

Watch Gang

A friend of mine belongs to Watch Gang, and he's been sporting some cool watches-but some not so cool ones, too. I looked on their website, and I've been going back and forth on it for months. I've read reviews, and watched people on YouTube, and couldn't decide. But I had a little extra money this month, and decided to pull the trigger. I signed up for the 'Black Level', figuring that I spent $99 a month on junk anyway. They list two other levels, "Original" for $49.99 and "Platinum" for $299, but I've heard that there's one more above platinum for those in the know. I figure I'll give it six months, and if it isn't working for me, I'll cancel the subscription. They do three giveaways every week, one for a Rolex, one for an Omega and one for a Tag Huer, so I'm crossing my fingers-I'd really like an Omega...

The watch came in an unmarked box, which I'm pretty happy about. We don't have too much trouble with 'porch pirates' in my neighborhood, but no need to tempt fate. Opening the packing box brought me to the actual watch case. The watch is an Aeromat. I've never heard of them, which implies that they're a small brand that most likely outsources their movements. So the question is whether they're using Chinese, Japanese (better) or Swiss (best) movements, though the difference between Japanese and Swiss is marginal. I unzipped the case.

Searching the Aeromat website, I found the watch pretty quickly. It's a Type GMT Black Bird, and has a list of $250! Over double what I paid-score! Except...

I can't find anyone that sells them, so I don't know it's true value. Apparently, a few others went out to Watch Gang members, because there's a two on eBay as I write this, one for $250 and one for $200. 

But as I well know, the value of something is correlated to what I'm will to pay, and would I have paid $250 for this watch? Or even $200? Well, no, not really. 

According to the website, this watch has a Swiss quartz movement and a mineral glass crystal, both good things. It arrived running, which wasn't a good thing because I don't know how much battery life was lost. It does have a certain heft to it, which I like. I've mixed feelings about the band, leather on the inside, canvas on the outside, which confuses me a bit. A thick leather band would have been cool. Leather always adds a little class. That the leather is hidden on the inside seems a little odd, though. I do like the engraving on the back.

When I look at the face, though, I'm not crazy about it. The size is good and seems like it would be easy to read, except that it's grey on black, meaning not much contrast. There does seem to be some luminescence, but I'm not sure how bright. The extra red hand is a 24 hour hand, designed for pilots crossing time zones, and that's actually pretty cool. There's no magnification on the date, and though it is in a contrasting color, it's tough to read because of it's size.

Looking on the website, I prefer the face of every other GMT watch to this one.

I don't know that I'd have paid $99 for it, but it's not a bad watch. I'll probably wear it when I'm feeling the need to be dark and moody.

Let's see how the next one is. Check back next month.

Copperfields, Pt. 2

Copperfield's Gifts and Rarities

242 E. Main Street 

Ventura, CA 93001

I've written about Copperfield's Gifts and Rarities before (7/16/13), and I just wanted to add a quick note. I bought a vintage watch there, which I was really excited about. It was a swiss-made Dynasty brand, dating from most likely the 60's. It cost $69, and I immediately put it on as I walked out of the store.

It kept time for the remainder of the afternoon, but by evening, it had fallen 10 minutes behind. As the evening wore on, the watch, apparently was making time slow down, and then, finally, stop.

But time didn't really stop, and so I took it back to Copperfiel's.

The girl at the counter was the same one who had sold me the watch the day before. I explained the problem, and she happily took the watch back, and returned my money.

I know when you buy used articles, it's generally, "Buyer beware," and with a small shop, I was expecting to be given store credit. So that Copperfield's gave me my money back was a pleasant surprise, and I feel a great deal better about buying things there.

Smogies and Ventura Water Store

Smogies Smog Shop
3940 Market Street
Ventura CA 93003

Ventura's Water Store
1455 S. Victoria Ave.
Ventura Ca

 At some point, you have to register your car, and when you do, every two years it needs a smog check. I'm not sure why I went to Smogies the first time, though I believe it was recommended by someone, and they got my car in and out quickly. I don't really know if it's more or less, but they seem to be quick, and every time I've been in, I've been engaged in some sort of unusual conversation, either by Smogie or his son.

The last time I was in, and I wish I'd taken a picture, but I saw that they had a Cremated Remains Disposer license by the counter. I was waiting for my car, and I had to ask. The son then explained to me that Smogie's was branching out.

He said that the cost of the equipment used for smog tests had been coming down, and more garages were able to handle smog checks. His dad had done some reading, and discovered that more people were being cremated. But once cremated, what does one do with the ashes? The brainstorm then hit, and Smogies can now also disperse your loved ones' remains.

I was caught off guard, and didn't think to ask the name of the business-I didn't think 'Smogie's Ashe Disposer,' was very appealing, and so if you need your ashes disposed, you'll have to call them yourself-clink the link above. The son said that they'll dispose of your loved ones out at sea, and video the process if you're unable to attend. Simply mail the remains to them, and they'll take care of the rest. Call them first, though.

I've never owned a business, and so the idea of small business diversification is novel to me, but it did make sense. If you need this type of service, or your car smogged, or both at the same time, Smogie's can handle it.

Ventura's Water Store also does more than it should, and actually was one of the first places I thought about when I started writing the blog. Along with selling purified water, they also have the best shaved ice in town, and it's just a buck.

I was first introduced to shaved ice by a girlfriend in Sacremento. I'd had snow cones before, but didn't care for them. Shaved ice is different. If the ice is shaved correctly, it should have texture similar to snow. When it is shaved that way, it holds the flavor of the syrup, instead of turning into one sugary colored fluid at the bottom. When I had shaved ice for the first time, in the middle of a Sacramento summer, I thought I was in heaven. And every trip to Hawaii, where shaved ice is an art form, I've always had at least one a day. 

The shaved ice at Ventura's Water Store is just about the right texture so it holds it's flavors pretty well. It's made from ice frozen from purified water. And, again, it's only a buck. They also have purified drinking water for $0.25 a gallon, distilled water, and will sterilize your bottle for a small fee. They offer water delivery and will sell or service your household soft water system..

But it's the shaved ice that my family goes for, especially on the hot days. And occasionally, the owner will be in and hit the kids with a snowball. In fact, I was in one day when everyone was hit with a snowball. If your driving by on a hot day, it's a bargain that I recommend.

Boys and Girls Club Thrift Store

In my punk rock days, I had several friends who would rummage through thrift stores to find old clothes. I never had the patience for that sort of thing, though I did have a girlfriend who would take me along to the "Vintage Clothiers" (Think Aardvark's Odd Ark) and I'd find stuff at those places.

The shirt that started it all

But when I moved to Ventura a few years back, I discovered a few thrift stores by the Mission that I would find used paperbacks and DVD's in, and got in the habit of checking them out. Then, in my search for good tacos, I had discovered the Gallery Car Wash, sadly now closed, which I'd go to when I needed to wash my car and didn't feel like doing it on the front lawn. It was while washing my car that I found the Boys and Girls Club Thrift Store. Going in after my car was clean,  noticed several Aloha shirts on the rack, and bought one that still had dry cleaning tags on it. Since then, I find I go into this particular thrift store on a somewhat regular basis.

I now WON the Rincon Classic!

A few weeks back I bought a drum for $40 after noticing that it was first prize for the pro division of the Quicksilver Rincon Classic, which from this point forward was won by me. But in the Rincon website, Ventura resident and Pro Surfer Dane Reynolds won, and there's a picture of him with the drum. I've actually always wanted a doumbek, and this medium size ceramic one, made by Full Circle Drums in Santa Barbara, is really nice. It even still has the tag on it, and on the inside is the inscription "Surf Happens, Professional Division, Full Circle Drums." I could never quite justify the price of one new, with all the other instruments I have laying around the house that I don't play well. $40 with a story, though,  that worked for me. I started banging on it as soon as I saw it on a shelf, and I got compliments on the drum (or maybe my playing) before I even got out of the door.

Aloha from Hawaii

Unfortunately the guitar was gone.

Other things I've picked up here include a sweet Roadshow Revival Bandana that they had a box full of (see my July 31, 2013 post), a Fender guitar case (but not the Fender guitar), some great sea shells, a cool crossword puzzle clock and other random odds and ends. 

They have lots of furniture in their parking lot and seem to turn over inventory pretty quickly. The employees are a quirky bunch that always seem to be in a good mood, and I've had some interesting, friendly chats when I'm checking out. For whatever it's worth, it doesn't smell the way some thrift store do, either.  

Actually, maybe I shouldn't post this-you might go in and pick up something that I want! 

Copperfield's Gifts and Rarities

Copperfield's Gifts and Rarities

242 E. Main Street 

Ventura, CA 93001

In my younger years, I, like I'm sure many of you, often wondered where to buy a penny-farthing. Then, when Copperfield's came to town a few years back, I found the answer. There, in the display window, was a new penny-farthing, in the classic black of long ago. 

Penny-Farthing

And what else might a store with a with a vintage replica bicycle in the window be peddling to the person who has everything? 

Actually, there does seem to be a bit of everything. I've seen a theremin (think the Beach Boys' "Good Vibrations" or bad sci-fi films), a Ben-Hur film book and, of course, ray-guns. 

Ray-gun

There's funky cards, notebooks, shaving gear, antique books, caps, vintage watches, and old paintings. They have soap and candy, and wrapping paper and unique toys. There are working, manual typewriters and some great looking pens and stationary.

Where I feel that most gift shops have a decidedly feminine quality, Copperfield's feels masculine. There's a Victorian vibe, kind of steam punkish, and I'm always curious as to what will be there when I walk in. 

Shelves of things. Note the robots.

Unusual in this day and age, there's a website but nothing really on it at this time. Copperfield's also has a Facebook page, but again, it doesn't really do justice to the store.

I'm not doing the store justice either. Let's just say the Copperfield's, (along with Iron and Resin, which I'll write about another day), is a store that I always walk into when I'm in that part of town. There's always something there that I want, and I didn't know I wanted it until I walk in. Some things are expensive, but some really aren't, especially when you consider that most of it unique and difficult, if not impossible, to find anywhere else.

Across from the Mission, it is a truly unique place to shop.

Marching band drum

Toys

In the shop-sorry about being out of focus.
Note the belt driven ceiling fan.

Things.