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patek5107 · 1 May 2010, 01:20 PM

A good friend of mine and his wife asked my assistance in finding a good (read cheap) local watch store. The wife wanted to buy him a watch for an anniversary present (and had been trying to get him to pick one out for 5 years!) As I was querying them on what he wanted (omigod a Tag Heuer!) I mention that he was really meant for a nice Patek at his age and station in life. (Sorry folks, he knows I love Rolex, but no way would he do the wild thing, Rolex style).

He then mentioned to me that he already had a Patek, it was given to him by his in-laws on the couples wedding day! It had been in a safe deposit box these past (well, somewhere between 25 and 50) years. After I picked my jaw up off the floor I asked him why in the world didn't he wear it. "Oh, I wouldn't have felt comfortable wearing it, what with Patek's being so expensive and all!"

I did get him to promise to take it out of hiding and have it cleaned by a good watchmaker.

But the idea that a watch meant to be worn, to make a statement about the sophistication of the individual wearing it, to give a positive success signal to the people who make or break your working career, instead lying dormant and hidden away.... well, the old adage about not hiding your light under a bushel comes to mind.

Obiously his in-laws knew which signals he should be sending when they gave him that watch, and while he had a good career, how much better might it have been had he sported the secret signal to those in the know that HE knew, he was one of them.

I think it is a waste of any good instrument not to use it. And while that particular Patek will be cherished by the family in rememberance of that special day for generations to come, it's instant promotion from thoughtful wedding present to pedestal'ed icon, without ever seeing a day's work in it's intended purpose of useful business tool, can't help but bring to mind the sad lament "what might have been!"

That's my "sad" story, and I'd love to read any similar experiences that you would care to share.

Alcan · 1 May 2010, 02:10 PM

"Hold muh beer and watch this"

Aw crappola, this really smarts. Did I break anything important?

roach7 · 1 May 2010, 03:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alcan

"Hold muh beer and watch this"

Aw crappola, this really smarts. Did I break anything important?

damn, i'd like the hear the sad story on this watch

ParisDakarBmw · 1 May 2010, 03:18 PM

I think Gabby had the saddest story I've heard in a while. He dropped his DJ from 2 stories up, and it exploded like a grenade when it hit the ground. Poor watch!

sakuraba · 1 May 2010, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roach7

damn, i'd like the hear the sad story on this watch

How not to polish a watch on a lathe

rolexsubdate · 1 May 2010, 03:40 PM

"I wanted a ROLEX but it was too expensive...so I bought this watch instead"

cody p · 2 May 2010, 06:06 AM

it always makes me sad when friends and family buy crappola watches - but i've long since given up trying to enlighten the benighted. boo-hoo!

thewelshm · 2 May 2010, 07:21 AM

About 15 years ago some mates of Mine went to Le Mans in France to watch the 24hr race. Rod Christie ( who died a few years later) wore an Omega moon watch. Him and his friend Gordon rented a cheap trailer ( caravan) so they could spend more $$ at the track, Being nervous and not in the best area at night , he placed his beloved Omega behing a wall hanging picture. that night in the camp ground some drunk kids accidently set fire to their tent, this subsequently burnt down the trailer, He forgot his Omega was in there

thewelshm

datejust1 · 2 May 2010, 07:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ParisDakarBmw

I think Gabby had the saddest story I've heard in a while. He dropped his DJ from 2 stories up, and it exploded like a grenade when it hit the ground. Poor watch!

Mockingbird · 2 May 2010, 07:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alcan

"Hold muh beer and watch this"

Aw crappola, this really smarts. Did I break anything important?

The amazing thing is that this watch kept ticking!

spuds · 2 May 2010, 07:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alcan

"Hold muh beer and watch this"

Aw crappola, this really smarts. Did I break anything important?

Now THAT's impressive!!

Safetrends · 2 May 2010, 08:08 AM

If the watch looks that bad, what does the arm attached to it looked like?

metal man · 2 May 2010, 08:11 AM

back in the 80's, the days of the super bling Texas Rolex, the more diamonds the better, one of my fathers best friends was driving back from Lousiana, stuck his arm out of his partialy rolled down window to throw out a cig. Caught his diamond bezel on the window and "BINK" popped it off, never to be found. Strange enough I did the same thing with my sub 5512 in 89 tossing out a piece of gum. I pulled over and found my bezel in the grass, had to get a new spring but the bezel survived. I think about that moment just about everytime I roll down a window.

ESKO · 2 May 2010, 08:50 AM

I agree, poor Gaby and his DJ, just a sad story.
He has such a nice collection though, so he should be just fine!

Safetrends · 2 May 2010, 08:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by metal man

back in the 80's, the days of the super bling Texas Rolex, the more diamonds the better, one of my fathers best friends was driving back from Lousiana, stuck his arm out of his partialy rolled down window to throw out a cig. Caught his diamond bezel on the window and "BINK" popped it off, never to be found. Strange enough I did the same thing with my sub 5512 in 89 tossing out a piece of gum. I pulled over and found my bezel in the grass, had to get a new spring but the bezel survived. I think about that moment just about everytime I roll down a window.

I have a $$ bracelet on my left hand and my 1601 on my right, I worry about loosing them all the time. I work on military ships and it is a minefield of objects to catch on and loose. Same thing about rolling down the window for check points. I am not to worried about drilling safes they do not get in the way of that part of my job.

JJ Irani · 2 May 2010, 08:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sakuraba

How not to polish a watch on a lathe

You're a funny guy, Jib Jab!!

andypandy · 17 May 2010, 07:06 AM

Short version of a long story. Me , North Sea early 1970's, Comex divers on board, Me friendly with one of them, me " these Rolexes pretty good huh?"..Him " Yeah , if
you want one, I can get you one secondhand for $100-$150 " Me, "No thanks, I'm
happy with my Omega " I'm thinking..." Who wants that ugly big watch on their wrist ,
especially with that stupid company logo on the dial ?" AAAARRRRRRRHHHHHHH !!!!

1 May 2010, 01:20 PM	#1
patek5107 Banned Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Vegas Posts: 106	What is the saddest watch story you've heard? A good friend of mine and his wife asked my assistance in finding a good (read cheap) local watch store. The wife wanted to buy him a watch for an anniversary present (and had been trying to get him to pick one out for 5 years!) As I was querying them on what he wanted (omigod a Tag Heuer!) I mention that he was really meant for a nice Patek at his age and station in life. (Sorry folks, he knows I love Rolex, but no way would he do the wild thing, Rolex style). He then mentioned to me that he already had a Patek, it was given to him by his in-laws on the couples wedding day! It had been in a safe deposit box these past (well, somewhere between 25 and 50) years. After I picked my jaw up off the floor I asked him why in the world didn't he wear it. "Oh, I wouldn't have felt comfortable wearing it, what with Patek's being so expensive and all!" I did get him to promise to take it out of hiding and have it cleaned by a good watchmaker. But the idea that a watch meant to be worn, to make a statement about the sophistication of the individual wearing it, to give a positive success signal to the people who make or break your working career, instead lying dormant and hidden away.... well, the old adage about not hiding your light under a bushel comes to mind. Obiously his in-laws knew which signals he should be sending when they gave him that watch, and while he had a good career, how much better might it have been had he sported the secret signal to those in the know that HE knew, he was one of them. I think it is a waste of any good instrument not to use it. And while that particular Patek will be cherished by the family in rememberance of that special day for generations to come, it's instant promotion from thoughtful wedding present to pedestal'ed icon, without ever seeing a day's work in it's intended purpose of useful business tool, can't help but bring to mind the sad lament "what might have been!" That's my "sad" story, and I'd love to read any similar experiences that you would care to share.

1 May 2010, 03:18 PM	#4
ParisDakarBmw Banned Join Date: Dec 2009 Real Name: Paul Location: New Haven, CT Watch: 116610 Sub-C Posts: 6,552	I think Gabby had the saddest story I've heard in a while. He dropped his DJ from 2 stories up, and it exploded like a grenade when it hit the ground. Poor watch!

1 May 2010, 03:40 PM	#6
rolexsubdate Banned Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: The Moon Posts: 1,238	"I wanted a ROLEX but it was too expensive...so I bought this watch instead"

2 May 2010, 06:06 AM	#7
cody p "TRF" Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Canada Watch: Air-King 114200 Posts: 2,878	it always makes me sad when friends and family buy crappola watches - but i've long since given up trying to enlighten the benighted. boo-hoo!

2 May 2010, 07:21 AM	#8
thewelshm "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Real Name: Paul Location: Brandon FL Watch: Dateless & Daytona Posts: 130	About 15 years ago some mates of Mine went to Le Mans in France to watch the 24hr race. Rod Christie ( who died a few years later) wore an Omega moon watch. Him and his friend Gordon rented a cheap trailer ( caravan) so they could spend more $$ at the track, Being nervous and not in the best area at night , he placed his beloved Omega behing a wall hanging picture. that night in the camp ground some drunk kids accidently set fire to their tent, this subsequently burnt down the trailer, He forgot his Omega was in there thewelshm

2 May 2010, 08:08 AM	#12
Safetrends Banned Join Date: Oct 2009 Real Name: David Walz Location: San Diego CA USA Watch: my hand. :) Posts: 9,156	If the watch looks that bad, what does the arm attached to it looked like?

2 May 2010, 08:11 AM	#13
metal man Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Real Name: red Location: Katy Texas Watch: s/s sub 5513 Posts: 172	back in the 80's, the days of the super bling Texas Rolex, the more diamonds the better, one of my fathers best friends was driving back from Lousiana, stuck his arm out of his partialy rolled down window to throw out a cig. Caught his diamond bezel on the window and "BINK" popped it off, never to be found. Strange enough I did the same thing with my sub 5512 in 89 tossing out a piece of gum. I pulled over and found my bezel in the grass, had to get a new spring but the bezel survived. I think about that moment just about everytime I roll down a window.

2 May 2010, 08:50 AM	#14
ESKO Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Real Name: Luis Location: Afghanistan/Texas Watch: 2012 Milgauss GV Posts: 752	I agree, poor Gaby and his DJ, just a sad story. He has such a nice collection though, so he should be just fine!

17 May 2010, 07:06 AM	#17
andypandy "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Real Name: Andrew Location: Edinburgh Scotlan Watch: Rolrx GMT Master Posts: 381	Short version of a long story. Me , North Sea early 1970's, Comex divers on board, Me friendly with one of them, me " these Rolexes pretty good huh?"..Him " Yeah , if you want one, I can get you one secondhand for $100-$150 " Me, "No thanks, I'm happy with my Omega " I'm thinking..." Who wants that ugly big watch on their wrist , especially with that stupid company logo on the dial ?" AAAARRRRRRRHHHHHHH !!!!

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