Could you introduce yourself?
My name is Mary Caple. I live in London, where I work as a digital producer in Parliament.

Could you introduce us to this piece? Where does it come from? How old is it?
This is a watch from Hermès my father bought at their shop in Vancouver, Canada, close to where I grew up. Hard to believe that was over ten years ago now.

Did it belong to someone else before you? Did you buy it for yourself? Why did you buy it? How did you find it?
My father’s side of the family has a tradition – historically reserved for men but times have changed – that at a certain age, one receives a watch to mark a sort of transition into adulthood. His was a wonderful, battered old Tudor with a metal strap he wore since his teens. When I graduated from school I was allowed to choose my own watch, and, luckily, picked something I still love today.

Do you remember the first time you wore it?
I don’t. But I did wear his for the first time recently, having inherited it after he passed away. It reminded me how special family traditions around clothing and jewelry are - his signet ring with our family emblem is the only other piece I wear every day.

What are your memories of this piece?
Bringing in my completely ratty, torn apart leather watch straps into pristine Hermès shops in New York, Montréal and London, feeling torn between excitement for a new start and a bit sad to trade in something well-loved. Like dad I have never been too precious about my watch.

Are there any signs of wear and tear? Have you already repaired this piece?
The metal is a little dinged up and scratched and the battery has been replaced twice. I figure I have at least one more year out of this strap. I used to get the ones that wrap around twice but now go for the simpler ones.

When do you usually wear it? Do you remember when you last wore it?
I wear it every single day. I have a bad habit of taking it off when I type but aside from sleep and exercise it’s a constant.