Converter data para numero?

ActionListener listener = new ActionListener(){ 
		          SimpleDateFormat formatador = new SimpleDateFormat(" "+"HH:mm:ss"+" "); 
		          public void actionPerformed(ActionEvent evt){ 
		        	  jmTime.setText(formatador.format(new Date()));
		        	  timebegin = formatador.format(new Date());
		        	  
		          } 
		       }; 

		       Timer timer = new Timer(1000, listener); 
		       timer.start();