Dubious timepieces » Mika Meskanen

On Christmas 2002 I got a Russian wrist watch as a present. Vostok Komandirskie was designed in 1965 for Soviel military and cosmonauts. Alas, under German air pressure its wind-up mechanism broke. I looked for replacement in newly reopened Kaufhof on Alexanderplatz and went for the cheapest alternative, plastic and digital Casio F-91W. The model is, according to US authorities, associated with well-known terrorists and possession of such a timepiece might be seen as an aggravating circumstance, should you face a dispatch to Guantanamo Bay. Without doubt F91-W is equally popular among US troops as well. The evolution of the wrist watch is actually a consequence of World War I. Officers needed to synchronise operations like artillery strikes. Those who survived, went home sporting their watches to the delight of general public.