The Watch That Survived a Toddler's Curiosity

A family treasure connects generations...

For years, I kept this tarnished pocket watch carefully stored in its purple-lined box, knowing it was special but not fully understanding why. It wasn't until I was documenting my grand-Aunty Maggie's stories about little Lena "mashing" a watch that something clicked in my mind.

Could this possibly be that very watch—the one that survived a curious toddler's hands all those decades ago?

Antique pocket watch in purple-lined box

My detective work began immediately. I studied the name engraved on the box, photographed every detail—the Roman numerals, the half-hunter case with its little window, and yes, even those telling dents. Modern technology in the form of AI, helped confirm what my heart already suspected: this watch dates back to the late 1800s, precisely when Lena would have been a little girl.

Every time I look at this "mashed" watch, I can almost hear little Lena's honest confession and Aunty Maggie's laughter echoing through time.

In our world of smartphones and digital clocks, this broken timepiece reminds us that family stories—even the funny, imperfect ones—are what truly connect us across generations.

Want to know the full story of how this family heirloom was rediscovered and authenticated? Continue reading on my WeAre archive website →