Heirloom Pieces

[Hawkeye98]

I was looking through photos from a recent family shoot and it inspired me to start a fun thread on heirloom pieces.

I would love to hear stories of pieces members have purchased with the specific intent of handing down to future generations.

1) What did you purchase?
2) When did you purchase?
3) Why that specific model/reference?
4) Who in the family is currently "looking over it?"

I'll start...

1) Omega Speedmaster Pro FOIS
2) June 2019
3) My father is a mechanical/electrical engineer who loves all things aviation and space. As a young adult living in Taiwan he remembers seeing the U.S. land on the moon in '69. He's never had a nice watch in his 70+ years so wanted to gift him something to enjoy and pass down.
4) He has it on his wrist until 2029, at which point I will inherit, and my son in 2048. We have the names and dates already engraved on the case back.

Look forward to hearing your stories!

*I do have a few Rolex pieces, but those were purchased specifically for me, not my son! LOL*

[jnelson3097]

My Sub was purchased with the intent to give it to my son one day. All the paperwork is dated with the day he was born, worked that out with my AD back in 2012. I'm wearing the hell out of it now and I'll give it to him one day, although he's kind of a jerk at age 10 so I keep changing the age he'll actually get it.

[jagwar.jim]

Love this idea for a post!

I bought a GMT Master II BLNR, the original one back in 2018 for my 30th birthday. I spent good amount of time working out what watch I wanted to have for this, and settled on the BLNR because I am a huge fan of travel, and it had the blue which was another trend I was seeing in the watches that were catching my attention.

The whole thing was inspired by my father, who a few years before had given me his 21st birthday Roamer watch, completely out of the blue. I remember thinking at the time that he had cost me a lot of money, as I stood at the top of the slippery slope of watches! It was a really moving thing for me to receive the watch he had for his 21st; I wanted to have my own watch with my own story to one day pass along.

I still wear my BLNR today: I’ve worn it on many important occasions including my wedding. I can’t wait to pass it on one day many years down the line.

[Robf52]

I'm approaching my big 70th birthday this weekend. Although I feel like 70 is the new 50, we all have to think about the end game; my intent is to hand mine down to kids and family members.

[Barada7]

If I ever get a BLNR, I intend to give it to my eldest as it’s the only watch he’s ever shown any interest in. And it fits his personality.

[Lamontsanders]

My 16030 is a birth year reserved for my older daughter. Now that we recently had another girl I’ll find another birth year DJ and set it aside. The other stuff gets worn but I do see the day coming where I heavily consolidate, get a couple “exit” pieces and just enjoy what I have for a long time.

[pathmeister]

Thanks for sharing this post. The thought of heirlooms incites quite an emotional response on my part, as it was my late father who planted the seed of my fascination of Rolexes, and this was almost 40 years ago. Coincidentally, I am also Taiwanese :)

1) What did you purchase? My father's purchase specifically meant to be passed on through the oldest son for every generation was a late 70's Rolex 18K gold Day-date President. It was a significant percentage of annual salary.

2) When did you purchase? late 70's
3) Why that specific model/reference? Rolex 18K gold Day Date President
4) Who in the family is currently "looking over it?" It's in my possession and will be handed down to my oldest son when I pass on. Good thing I have sons, LOL!

[AzHadEnuf]

I don’t think I’ve ever bought a piece with the intent of it becoming a heirloom piece. I just assumed all of my watches would go to my kid when I die. In that collection he will get:



His Great Great Grandfathers IWC



His Great Grandfathers Elgin



His Grandfathers 6263



And the rest of my stuff. Good thing he likes watches.

[Bruse Wayne]

1. Bluesy
2. April 2020
3. 116613
4. Dad

Leading up to my dads 70th bday he got hit with a old age wild card, aside from Covid brewing up around the same time he had also been diagnosed with a small tumor in his lung. The main reason why I love watches and as far back as my memory allows I can remember his passion for all types of wristwatches and he ALWAYS made sure I had a Casio or some other fancy quartz offering from Sears or similar....The "2tone Blue" as he calls it was his dream watch and he mentioned it often over the years.....

I had some luck going into 2020 with my online business + markets and decided to surprise him at his house with a giant rifle box as a gift....Little did he know what was inside. A quick pitstop to DavidSW's shop earlier that day and I arrived at his house. He had just left surgery a few days prior and wasn't supposed to be around people so I slid the giant box throw the doorway and the rest is history.

Fast forward to current day and I rarely see him not wearing it That sub looks like its been to the bottom of the ocean and back! For me that moment will most likely be my top life highlight.

[djona]

Great thread idea, OP.

1) What did you purchase? Omega Speedmaster Professional 3861.
2) When did you purchase? The month my son was born.
3) Why that specific model/reference? For its timelessness.
4) Who in the family is currently "looking over it?" Me.

He will likely inherit the rest of the stable, including, among others, a Patek (which I associate with my father) and a Rolex (which I associate with many milestones).

[GrantD]

I have 2 boys that have done so well with their lives I needn’t worry about them. They both love watches and have between them decided which ones they like. I’ve Have one spot to fill up and make it a fair split and hopefully another 15-20 years to get to the top of the Daytona list.

Presently being guarded by the Boo

[Chester01]

I have my sub and it was gifted to me by my parents back in 1998. As for passing it on, I’m a bit of a realist here. It’s fun to think that someone will enjoy our watches when we’re gone and that person being someone in our family. However one watches auctions and one sees watches with all kinds of heritage being sold by family members. The blessing and a curse of a Rolex these days is the ever-increasing value which gives much incentive for a family member to sell or flip for other priorities in their life at a given time. It may well be our seikos or gshocks that get passed on and the Rolex flipped upon our demise.

[Hawkeye98]

Originally Posted by Bruse Wayne

1. Bluesy
2. April 2020
3. 116613
4. Dad

Leading up to my dads 70th bday he got hit with a old age wild card, aside from Covid brewing up around the same time he had also been diagnosed with a small tumor in his lung. The main reason why I love watches and as far back as my memory allows I can remember his passion for all types of wristwatches and he ALWAYS made sure I had a Casio or some other fancy quartz offering from Sears or similar....The "2tone Blue" as he calls it was his dream watch and he mentioned it often over the years.....

I had some luck going into 2020 with my online business + markets and decided to surprise him at his house with a giant rifle box as a gift....Little did he know what was inside. A quick pitstop to DavidSW's shop earlier that day and I arrived at his house. He had just left surgery a few days prior and wasn't supposed to be around people so I slid the giant box throw the doorway and the rest is history.

Fast forward to current day and I rarely see him not wearing it That sub looks like its been to the bottom of the ocean and back! For me that moment will most likely be my top life highlight.

Priceless. Amazing story. Thanks for taking the time to share.


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[brandrea]

Originally Posted by AzHadEnuf

I don’t think I’ve ever bought a piece with the intent of it becoming a heirloom piece. I just assumed all of my watches would go to my kid when I die. In that collection he will get:



His Great Great Grandfathers IWC



His Great Grandfathers Elgin



His Grandfathers 6263



And the rest of my stuff. Good thing he likes watches.

Wonderful collection and rich history

[Harry-57]

Watches, among other valuables, will be available for our children and their children to keep or sell. Who gets what is up to them and what is available won't be known before hand. We might buy some more, consolidate, trade or sell. But there'll be something for everyone when the time comes.

[KathleenL]

Hubs and I have no children. My older sister has one daughter, who has one daughter. My younger sister has one son who has no children. My brother died, childless, 27 years ago. I have two Tag Heuers and one Rolex. My plan had been to leave one Tag Heuer to my nephew's wife and the other Tag Heuer to my grand-niece, with my niece getting my Rolex. But my niece died three months ago, so my Rolex will go to my grand-niece. All three of the watches are "ladies watches" -- the Tags are 27mm and the Rolex is 28mm -- so there's no point in giving one to my nephew or to my niece's husband.

[Newt]

Good idea for a thread. I'm lucky to have 3 generations of watches. I have my grandfather's 1957 gold OP(a christmas gift to him from my grandmother in 1959), a 1969 GMT Pepsi that my mom gave my dad as a wedding gift, a 1998 Sub that my mother gave me as a sorta late graduation gift and a returning from overseas gift. And I'll probably buy one specifically for my daughter when she's of age, and giver her all of those plus the ones I'm collecting. I think it's cool she'll have 4 generations going.

[sleepydoc]

Originally Posted by Bruse Wayne

1. Bluesy
2. April 2020
3. 116613
4. Dad

Leading up to my dads 70th bday he got hit with a old age wild card, aside from Covid brewing up around the same time he had also been diagnosed with a small tumor in his lung. The main reason why I love watches and as far back as my memory allows I can remember his passion for all types of wristwatches and he ALWAYS made sure I had a Casio or some other fancy quartz offering from Sears or similar....The "2tone Blue" as he calls it was his dream watch and he mentioned it often over the years.....

I had some luck going into 2020 with my online business + markets and decided to surprise him at his house with a giant rifle box as a gift....Little did he know what was inside. A quick pitstop to DavidSW's shop earlier that day and I arrived at his house. He had just left surgery a few days prior and wasn't supposed to be around people so I slid the giant box throw the doorway and the rest is history.

Fast forward to current day and I rarely see him not wearing it That sub looks like its been to the bottom of the ocean and back! For me that moment will most likely be my top life highlight.

What a good son!

[Bruse Wayne]

Originally Posted by Hawkeye98

Priceless. Amazing story. Thanks for taking the time to share.


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Many thanks!

Originally Posted by sleepydoc

What a good son!

That wasn't always the case

[dpt.calvin]

Originally Posted by jnelson3097

My Sub was purchased with the intent to give it to my son one day. All the paperwork is dated with the day he was born, worked that out with my AD back in 2012. I'm wearing the hell out of it now and I'll give it to him one day, although he's kind of a jerk at age 10 so I keep changing the age he'll actually get it.

lmao wait until the teenage years

[Vantablack]

i got my BLRO for my 40th with the intent to pass it on to my son. i have a nice picture of both of us the day i received it, with the watch clearly visible. he is 5 right now.

[srmatth82]

I purchased a BLNR in 2019 while on vacation in Maui. It was my fist Rolex and I plan on passing it down to my eldest son.

My daughter who is only 6 now loves my “green watch” aka my Hulk. I think a woman can definitely pull off that watch and I plan on leaving it to her

I will be celebrating my 40th in November and found out 3 weeks ago that me and my wife are expecting another child. Was a complete shock as it was unplanned. I’m on the list for my BLRO with my AD who is great, and now that watch will double as a birth year watch for my new little one.

[rG2022]

Originally Posted by srmatth82

I purchased a BLNR in 2019 while on vacation in Maui. It was my fist Rolex and I plan on passing it down to my eldest son.

My daughter who is only 6 now loves my “green watch” aka my Hulk. I think a woman can definitely pull off that watch and I plan on leaving it to her

I will be celebrating my 40th in November and found out 3 weeks ago that me and my wife are expecting another child. Was a complete shock as it was unplanned. I’m on the list for my BLRO with my AD who is great, and now that watch will double as a birth year watch for my new little one.

Congratulations! What a blessing!


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[Moondoggy]

Originally Posted by Hawkeye98

Priceless. Amazing story. Thanks for taking the time to share.


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It. That’s what it’s all about

[jnelson3097]

Originally Posted by dpt.calvin

lmao wait until the teenage years

I’m just starting the teenage years with his sister, please pray for me.

[Joearch]

Unfortunately my son and daughter are not that interested in watches. Too bad as I have a fairly solid Rolex and Panerai collection. Who knows maybe they will someday be interested. At the very least they could cash them in.

[srmatth82]

Originally Posted by rG2022

Congratulations! What a blessing!


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Thanks! I really appreciate that!

[rolexpatek363]

Originally Posted by dpt.calvin

lmao wait until the teenage years

I love this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jbHR5Lso-HU