Every year we have our "new year's resolutions", but given the holiday season has just ended, which is always filled with the standard commercialism and retail therapy, I thought it might be worthwhile to give my perspective on the subject. Specifically when we refer to a certain type of spending as "materialism" - this ties in nicely with the watch world, since 2016 was officially the worst year on record since the early 80's!

First, what is materialism?

This is not your typical watch "icon".

And it's not that the Waltham 25 Jewel self-winding watch isn't a good watch, it is. But, if it were not for the TV show "Dexter", it probably wouldn't get the attention it's been getting.

Having said that, there is a reason why the costume designers for "Dexter" chose this watch, and thats part of what makes it an icon.

First, Waltham has pedigree. 

Yes, they folded with the arrival of the Quartz movement (like so many others, even though the brand still exists under new ownership), but they are the company (and the American watch industry in general) responsible for establishing the art of modern watchmaking.

In celebration of July 4th, here is an article discussion the formerly great American watch industry (originally published in September 2014):

It needs to be said and clarified: The American watch industry was once the envy of the entire world, including the Swiss watch industry.

Period.

The problem is that this is far from known or even close to being known. Myself included, it took a while to take that statement anywhere close to serious.

But, again it's absolutely true.