Quick. What time is it?

If you’re like my kids or wife or the growing number of people in this country, you’re either reaching in your pocket for your smart phone, or frantically looking around for a digital clock.

Like many, you probably don’t even think of glancing at your wrist. No, that would be too easy. Too old fashioned.

As you probably can guess, I have an attitude about this time issue. I’m one of those individuals who still wears, and depends on his wrist watch.

I’m currently sporting a Timex Expedition watch. It has a regular clock face, a second hand and a water-proof leather band. Most importantly, it has the “Indiglo” feature, meaning that when you push the side button the clock face lights up so you can read the time in poor or no light.

Total price: $49.99.

Many famous and powerful people wear wrist watches. President Obama sported one when he was recently sworn in for a second term. I’ve seen one on Donald Trump’s wrist.  Syracuse Basketball Coach Jim Boeheim also wears one.

I’ve tried to force watches on my family during the past 10 years.  I’ve purchased them as Christmas and birthday gifts.  It’s been a waste of money. They sit unused in drawers. The funny thing about it is they’re constantly a little late or always asking me what time it is.

My son said recently he has a friend who in high school held his breath for four minutes and 30 seconds. Knowing he did not have a watch or a cell phone during most of his teenage years, I asked him how he timed his friend.

“I used the timer on the microwave,” he said.

I’ve always been a fan of Timex watches. Way back when, there were impressive and convincing TV commercials featuring this guy John Cameron Swayze. The commercials involved live demonstrations showing the watches withstanding all sorts of abuse. I remember one involving a cliff diver in Acapulco, Mexico.

After his dive, Swayze approached the diver and asked him to hold up his watch to the camera. It was dripping wet (as was the diver), but it still worked.

These commercials always ended the same way, with Swayze saying,: “Timex. Takes a licking, keeps on ticking.”

Imagine jumping off a high cliff into the ocean clutching your expensive IPhone. I don’t think so.

When my wife worked in a jewelry store, she bought me an expensive Seiko watch with a nice metal band. She cautioned me to take good care of it, not to wear it in the shower.

I wasn’t used to having an expensive time piece. That summer, I was trout fishing on the Ausable River with my friend Chris. I slipped and fell in the middle of the stream on the edge of a deep pool of water.

I was wearing the Seiko. My wrist slammed into a rock as I fell.  I watched helplessly as it became detached from my wrist, fluttered and sank out of sight in the river.

I was upset, but I wasn’t devastated. I never did find out how much my wife paid for it. I just went back to my old Timex.

About a year and a half ago, though, my watch stopped ticking. I unhappily joined the masses – frantically searching my pocket for my cell phone whenever I wanted to know the hour. I hated it. It was unnatural.

Once while fishing on nearby Oneida Lake, my cell phone ran out of juice. I was catching fish after fish and lost track of time. I had promised I’d be home at 11 a.m. I pulled into the driveway at 3:45 p.m.  Laura was not happy.

So much for depending on my cell phone.

This Christmas I asked Santa for one gift – and one gift only. I wanted a Timex with the Indiglo feature. St. Nick didn’t disappoint.

Now, when I’m in  bed at night, or in a tent camping, I can simply glance at my wrist, push the button on my watch and know in a second what time it is.  The watch’s light is also bright enough to help me find my way to the bathroom at night without stumbling on anything.

The heck with having a naked wrist. I’m a happy man.

And if you’re interested in getting timed to see how long you can hold your breath, I’m the guy who can help.