While the world seems enthralled by digital progress, figures like Jack White of Third Man Records, or YouTube sensation Teddy Baldassarre who reviews analog wristwatches, are drawing cult followings with their commitment to the physical, the analog. Interestingly, Bitcoin, despite being a digital protocol, shares a similar attraction to the analog world. Its security system revolves around an offline, analog seed phrase. These are often etched into metal or written on vintage typewriters, underlining the importance of physicality.

There is something irreplaceable about analog experiences. Think about the visceral satisfaction you get when you lower the needle onto a vinyl record, or the tactile pleasure of winding up a watch. It’s more than hearing or seeing; it’s a multisensory experience that involves touch and even feeling the watch rotor work on your wrist.

In the world of horology, the art of making clocks and watches, parallels can be drawn to Bitcoin’s history. Horology dates back to the early 1500s with the creation of the first mechanical watch. Over centuries, the pursuit for accuracy led to innovations like the pendulum clock, with precision improving from near half-hour accuracy to within a second per day. This evolution mirrors the journey of Bitcoin discovery. At first, one may believe Bitcoin blocks are created exactly every 10 minutes. Upon deeper understanding, you learn that the actual block times fluctuate based on network needs. The mechanical nature of timekeeping and the ingenious ‘pendulum string adjustment’ of Bitcoin protocol are both beautiful in their simplicity.

In horology, there’s a form called ‘high horology’—the creation of the most precise, painstakingly crafted timepieces. These artisan watchmakers often disregard digital alternatives. Ironically, a common quartz watch is more accurate than these high-end mechanical pieces, similar to how Bitcoin can adapt based on users, network, and developers, functioning as both a meticulously crafted system and a common digital currency.

Mechanical watches also include ‘jewels’ – gem-bearings used to reduce friction. While quartz watches may not require jewels, mechanical ones do, and the count can range from a few to several. The term ‘jewel’ in the Bitcoin community can be likened to those individuals and groups who reduce friction within the ecosystem, often undervalued but playing a crucial role in its operation.

Bitcoin and watchmaking share this trajectory of continued existence and progression, regardless of the understanding or acceptance of the majority. Many people may not understand how a watch or Bitcoin works, but that doesn’t halt their ticking. There are friction points within the Bitcoin community, just like in a mechanical watch, but with ‘jewels’ to mitigate them, the protocol continues to run. As we move forward, we must value these jewels in our protocol and stay vigilant against any attempts to disrupt it.

In this digital era, the allure of the analog, the physical, remains strong. Be it in the groove of vinyl records, the ticking hands of a wristwatch, or even the offline security system of Bitcoin, we are drawn to what we can touch, hear, and feel. It’s this sensory engagement that truly differentiates an experience and perhaps, defines us.