Look back from the future and win a watch

LAST week's icon of the Eighties - shoulder pads - had several of you dusting off video-ed reruns of 'cult' TV shows: Dallas reminded Colin Edwards of Worthing, West Sussex, how by wearing these accessories, 'the 'weaker sex' could topple and replace the most powerful men'. David Kay of Botley, Oxford, reported that the style known as 'Dynasty' implied 'enhanced sexual appeal and fertility'.

This week's winner, however, is Paul Kearns of Denbigh, Clwyd, who wins an Oris watch.

This down-filled example, dated 1989, is one of the left shoulder pads of Dame Barbara Cartland. The author was renowned for wearing pink, and this example is a strong shade of rose.

An indication of the item's authenticity is given by tiny traces of canine hair: Dame Barbara was particularly fond of the pekinese, a breed that incurred national disfavour after the despoliation of Hong Kong.

Detachable from a deep pink evening dress, the present item was originally one of two. This is sadly symbolic of a misfortune that beset the wearer's extended family around the time of its creation.

By 2020, 'The Cartland Diaries' were firmly established as an element of university literature courses; and it is for its omission from this vast work, rather than for its intrinsic merit, that this arguably pretty shoulder pad is of singular interest to the discerning collector of Cartland memorabilia.

The next subject in our Time Pieces competition is Compact Discs. We invite you to imagine it is the year 2093 and to write the catalogue entry for the auction of this icon of the Eighties - in 150 words or fewer. The prize is an Oris watch worth pounds 200 (which can be seen on page 11 of today's Magazine).

Send your entries, to arrive by Wednesday, to: Oris Competition, Weekend, the Independent, 40 City Road, London EC1Y 2DB.