Marriage brings along countless cherished memories, but for MH Rahman, a resident of Purnia district and the President of the Athletic Association of Purnia, a unique engagement gift received in 1976 stands out as the most prized possession of his married life. Five decades ago, his in-laws gifted him a classic mechanical HMT Kohinoor wristwatch during their engagement ceremony. Today, exactly 50 years later, that very watch continues to function with absolute precision, matching the accuracy of modern clocks without ever breaking down or missing a beat.
An Engagement Keepsake Worth 120 to 150 Rupees in 1976
Wedding rituals, gift exchanges, and engagement ceremonies leave indelible marks on a couple's life. When MH Rahman tied the knot in 1976, his in-laws honored the engagement tradition by presenting him with an HMT Kohinoor timepiece. Back in 1976, the market price of this particular watch model ranged between 120 and 150 rupees. Although that sum represented a modest financial value at the time, the emotional resonance of the gift was priceless. Throughout his 50 years of married life, Rahman has treated the timepiece not merely as an accessory, but as a sacred memory of his wedding rituals and marital journey.
Five Decades of Flawless Timekeeping Without Servicing
What truly sets this 1976 wristwatch apart is its remarkable reliability over half a century. In an era where modern gadgets frequently require maintenance, Rahman's watch has never visited a service center or repair shop even once in 50 years. The watch operates on a traditional manual winding mechanism. Every 24 hours, Rahman winds the watch key once, after which the internal gears run automatically for the entire day. Throughout these 50 years, the watch has displayed the exact right time without lagging or rushing, maintaining flawless synchronization alongside contemporary timepieces.
A Lesson in Vintage Quality and Preserving Traditions for New Generations
Reflecting on the endurance of his watch, Rahman notes that its survival highlights the exceptional manufacturing standards and quality control of the company during that era. He remarks that out of thousands of pieces produced by the brand, perhaps only a few rare units were built with such extraordinary resilience to last half a century without servicing. Beyond its mechanical feat, Rahman views the watch as an educational artifact for future generations, demonstrating both past craftsmanship and the importance of preserving family heirlooms. He intends to maintain and protect this timepiece for nearly 100 years as long as he lives, setting a unique personal record while encouraging people to treasure their wedding gifts and lifelong memories.
