How did I come to sell such a significant piece?
Let’s go back a few years. I’ve always been into watches, but my enthusiasm truly blossomed about four years ago: I was on the hunt for a special dress watch that I could engrave, something to commemorate the moment I married the love of my life. At that time, I was dreaming of owning an Omega Speedmaster and had saved up some money to spend at my own discretion, but I didn’t realize how much the watch prices had increased over the past decade. In the moment, it felt wrong to spend that much money on myself. In fact, it probably still does and the sensible thing would be to invest the money in funds and savings, but life isn’t always about being sensible.
So, I delved deep into the world of watches where I discovered one brand after another, but quickly felt overwhelmed. There was simply too much to take in and I didn’t have enough time to explore each brand as thoroughly as I would have liked. As the special day neared, panic set in and I ended up buying a Raymond Weil Maestro dress watch. It was a great watch, but it wasn’t what I truly wanted. It was more of a panic purchase to satisfy that feeling of wanting something for the special day. I should have known it wouldn’t satisfy me, because I had already purchased an Orient Bambino with the same intention, only to buy the Raymond Weil a few months later.
What my heart truly desired was a Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso or a Master Control Calendar. But, as I waited, pondered, searched, and weighed all my options, prices continued to rise and, as a second-order effect, it became increasingly challenging to justify the cost. As such, I felt compelled to opt for a more affordable alternative and tried to convinced myself I would forget about the watches I truly desired. That definitely wasn’t the case. As for that Raymond Weil, it saw less wrist time after the wedding and I eventually ended up purchasing an Omega Seamaster No Time to Die. I also sold that watch, but that’s another story.
Recently, I’ve been listening to the Horology Republic podcast and, in several episodes, the discussion revolves around purchasing what you truly want. This is a lesson I’ve learned the way most of us do, through experience. What’s more, I’ve come to realize that on my wedding day, it wasn’t the watch I wore that mattered, it was the fact that I got to marry the love of my life and celebrate our love with friends and family present. While this sentiment is the most important from that day, it still would have been nice to have a special watch I truly desired to engrave and commemorate the moment.
I believe I wouldn’t have sold the Reverso if I had purchased it, worn it, and engraved it with the date of my marriage. Also, I think it would have saved me money in the long run if I had simply cut to the chase instead of tip-toeing around what I really wanted. But then again, maybe that’s just the watch enthusiast in me dreaming about that Reverso. Perhaps if I had spent more money, I would be happier?
Even as I write this, I find myself in a new dilemma: When I started jotting down notes for this article, I was certain that if I had purchased the Reverso, I would have been content and kept it. Is this true or is this me being blinded by the emotional connection I feel I may have with that watch? Such is the nature of this avocation and how tightly wound our heartstrings are on the watches we find ourselves pining for.
What I have come to believe is this: the key to understanding what we actually want lies in experience. Four years ago, I was a complete novice to watches and I had never explored the subject or conducted thorough research until then. When you’re completely new to something, it can be quite overwhelming and that’s perfectly normal. There are so many options and so much to explore, but that’s what makes this journey through watches so enjoyable. As time passes, our tastes evolve and we discover what we like and what we seek. In order to truly develop our preferences, we need to experience a wide range of watches regardless of their price. From Seiko to Patek Philippe, everything is an opportunity to learn.
I’m still relatively new to watches compared to many of you, but I’ve come to understand that I don’t feel the overwhelming need to own every watch I admire. Instead, I am able to give it time to see if it’s a watch that I keep dreaming of rather than just a fleeting infatuation or impulse.
So, do you need a wedding watch? No. You need a good dress watch. Something that complements your suit or tuxedo, something you genuinely enjoy. Something that makes you feel special, just like the suit or tuxedo should.
Watches are an excellent vessel to fill with memories, and as Mr. Baldasarre rightly said, they should also be a complement of a well-lived life. A nice watch won’t bring you happiness or make you a better person, but it can serve as a sentimental reminder of special occasions in life’s milestone moments which you can remember each time you look down at your wrist.
Lastly, I’ve learned that it should come naturally: forcing a memory or sentimental value onto an item doesn’t work. Instead, I should have focused on finding a watch that made me feel good about myself and complemented my style.
This experience has been valuable and it’s taught me to resist the urge for instant gratification and instead take the time to find the right watch that can last and make me exclaim, “Yes! This is it! This makes me feel good, and I truly love it.”
The Reverso Classic Duoface Small seconds was the watch that initially resonated with me. However, if I were to choose one today, it would be the Reverso Tribute Monoface. It’s a beautifully proportioned wristwatch that makes my heart flutter. An A. Lange & Söhne 1815 34mm in white gold wouldn’t be a bad choice either, or perhaps a Vacheron Constantin Historiques Americain 1921?…
