Tick Tock Time's Up

In only a few years' time, watches have evolved from being an object worn for practical use to more of a fashion accessory. Since the introduction of slimmer more portable cell phones, and the accessibility of other technological gadgets such as iPods, the need for a watch has been replaced. People of younger generations are rarely seen wearing watches, as most of them can view the time immediately on their cell phone or music player. Other functions of the watch have also been taken over by these gadgets, such as timers and alarms.

It seems that watches are drifting into a thing of the past, yet designers are still continuing to make them. Watches have become more of a symbol for luxury and status, and designers are well aware of creating a continued desire for a watch knowing that it's function is longer as valuable as it once was. They are designing to attract the consumer to a piece of jewelry, emphasizing the quality and exclusivity of the watches since need is not really a factor.

This shift in society's view of watches is evident in the portrayal of the inner working parts of a watch on the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show.Model Candice Swanepoel on the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show. Photo courtesy of Yahoo.

The model is seen wearing a set of angel wings inspired by the mechanical movement inside watches. It is interesting to note that the style of the wing paired with it is painted in a dark gothic style similar to that of gargoyles on the outside of gothic cathedrals. This pairing makes the association of watches with something old, seeming to indicate that watches have a vintage characteristic to them.

For society, this may show that as the meaning of a watch is shifting, future generations will not experience the same meaning a watch has for those who used them before the technological age of cell phones. It may take on the meaning that lockets have for us now, as they are often worn as vintage jewelry as a fun accessory and without anyone's photo inside.