Rerun - Father's Day, Mido and Jumping the Shark

This ran earlier this past June, but seemed appropriate for today, and my belief that the brands that hope to survive the current storm need to cut loose the ballast of the past if they hope to sail to safe harbors.

So with Father's Day here again (seems like only a year ago) I look back at the image of my father's Mido and feel a pang not necessarily for the departure of someone who was ready to go, but maybe for a place and time when things were clearer.  As anyone who writes about this stuff will tell you (provided enough liquid encouragement) it is hard not be romantic about watches.

Courtesy of Mido

And just as we are attached to watches, we who follow this sort of thing are perhaps a bit emotionally involved with the companies that produce them as well. Right or wrong we feel that tie. And in all truthfulness that is one of the major things that the marketing and pr arms of the brands are counting on. Nostalgia, connection, belonging.  And in truth, that is what we are all looking for as well - whether we acknowledge it or not.

The Mido that made my father's watch has, not unlike Elvis, left the building.  And yes, many would say that they have lost their way.  While they may have joined forces with the Hurricanes, in doing so they have also jumped the shark. 

But life moves forward, doesn't it?  You can't live in the past.

So while it is easy to feel disillusioned, I have found some wisdom about life's impermanence and propensity for change in the words of that famous poet philosopher - Master Po from TV's Kung Fu:

Caine: Is it good to seek the past, Master Po? Does it not rob the present?

Master Po: If a man dwells on the past, then he robs the present. But if a man ignores the past, he may rob the future. The seeds of our destiny are nurtured by the roots of our past.

Happy Father's Day to all you dads out there.