Except there was a cricket match between New Zealand and Scotland on television, and a certain Otago Daily Times reporter was interrupting him watching it.
However, on that day the Alexandra man made his own century plus one. He was not making a big deal of turning 101 after celebrating with a family lunch in Clyde.
It was just something that had happened.
''You can't help it if you keep going. You just turn up. You don't worry about your age; you just get on with it.
''The only thing crook about me is my knees, as far as I can tell.''
He lives alone in his own home, holds a driver's licence and gets about in his Mitsubishi Colt Plus, which he takes for trips to Queenstown, Wanaka and Cromwell.
''You have to be a careful driver at my age. If you hit anything, even if it's not your fault, people are going to blame you.''
Despite not knowing anyone else older than 100, he did not get lonely.
''The 100 plus club ... does not have many members. I have family here, two sons and a daughter. That's a big help. I'm quite happy on my own.''
He had been lucky, he said, and had to thank his family - which is quite large.
There are a few generations kicking about, comprising four children, 11 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren and five great-great-grandchildren.
Although he has had to give up golf and does not bowl as much as he used to, he still follows sport closely.
Cricket and rugby are great entertainment and he is part of ''a couple'' of horse-racing syndicates.
He is candid about how much longer he has left.
''I'm quite happy to go. By the law of averages I will not last a year more. It does not worry me at all.
''It's been an interesting life; I've enjoyed it.''
Mr Robertson was born and bred in Dunedin, the youngest of four children of Scottish immigrant parents.
He moved to Central Otago about 25 years ago with his wife Rita, who died in 1992.
He has had only two jobs in his whole life - first as a warehouse man for a wholesale company and second as branch manager for a small warehouse company, which was owned by a larger Wellington-based company.
During World War 2, he took two and a-half years off to serve in the air force ground staff.
As for right now, it is back to the television - there's a Cricket World Cup match to watch.
Oldest licensed drivers
• 17 licensed drivers aged 100 or over in New Zealand.
• Nine aged 101 or 102.
• No licensed drivers over the age of 102
Source: NZTA
