Lessons in life from a 14 yr old...

[GerardoG]

This will be long, so please grab some coffee (or vino) before reading...let me get one before writing...

[GerardoG]

Much better. Here we go....

[GerardoG]

You remember a good looking young man, who inherited his grandfather's DJ and asked to go to his resting place to say thank you and promise he would take great care of that heirloom and wear it with pride...a watch that is worn two or three times a year during dates who celebrate his grandfather, such as his birthday or the day he left us. That young man, with whom I enjoy talking, laughing and sharing great meals with, is my son.

[GerardoG]

He has been interested in watches for some time...in the beginning, a gift (Technomarine) form my AD, a Swatch he really wanted and we bought to celebrate a milestone in his life. Later, he saved for months and asked me to drive him to the Apple store to buy, with his own money, his Apple Watch.

His tastes have evolved, he now rotates his watches and recently fell in love with a Citizen Eco Drive with blue dial. He had brought his savings to a cruise we recently took and decided to buy the watch, which he carefully puts back in its case every night, with the lid taken off so he can admire his latest acquisition.

Back to the lesson. This saturday, we gave some free time to my dearly; so the three of us (daughter, son and myself) wandered off for snacks and coffee at a close-by shopping mall.

After a few hours, my daughter wanted some 'me' time to look at clothes, so my son and myself were alone. The local AD has just redone his storefront with a big Rolex sign...he asked me to step in and look at Rolex watches.

During our last trip, he spent his time admiring the OP39 with blue dial; a watch that he just loves and keeps looking at; but this time he asked for the master catalog.

He browsed through the pages, and stopped at the professional line. The watch that caught his eye: SS Daytona. I told him about YG, RG, 2T...he did not even blink. He turned around and told me, with a tone I have heard (and am proud to hear) before: The day I get my college degree, I will buy a SS Daytona.

His mind was set. He fell in love, with no background stories from me, with one of the most sought after watches in the Rolex line.

As we got out of the store, we sit in a near bench to wait for my daughter; and he asks me about the Daytona. He wanted to know the story, which sports is it tied to (he is an avid tennis fan and sees the Rolex logo everywhere) and why was it such a mystical timepiece.

We talked for several minutes about it, and I told him what I knew. He was surprised to see the prices (we went online to see MSRP for pretty much ALL daytonas!) and asked me which I liked...so I showed him my pictures. Probably, one of the timepieces that took me the longest to get....my YG on strap. Now, it is easy to get, but when it was released, it was available ONLY to the european market. It was a good 4 YEAR hunt until it was available in America....

His eyes were wide open, he stared at me and asked me: 'So you OWN Daytonas...where are they?' My answer: kept in the safe box, used a handful of times...next, he did not ask, but made a statement that shook me to the core. His words, 'Dad, you OWN some of the most sought after watches Rolex makes and keep them in a safe, to be used a handful of times. Let me say it again: you OWN Daytonas and do not wear them'

...my eyes were filled with tears that I held for whatever dumb reason went through my mind at the moment, yet he saw me wipe them from my watery eyes. My son had just taught me another lesson in life.

Love and life examples come in the most unexpected ways and from the last people we would consider teachers...such as from a pure heart of a 14 year old boy.

G-Jr: You NEVER cease to amaze me. I am VERY proud to be your dad. Love you. Always!!!!!!!!!

[SG56]

Originally Posted by GerardoG

He has been interested in watches for some time...in the beginning, a gift (Technomarine) form my AD, a Swatch he really wanted and we bought to celebrate a milestone in his life. Later, he saved for months and asked me to drive him to the Apple store to buy, with his own money, his Apple Watch.

His tastes have evolved, he now rotates his watches and recently fell in love with a Citizen Eco Drive with blue dial. He had brought his savings to a cruise we recently took and decided to buy the watch, which he carefully puts back in its case every night, with the lid taken off so he can admire his latest acquisition.

Back to the lesson. This saturday, we gave some free time to my dearly; so the three of us (daughter, son and myself) wandered off for snacks and coffee at a close-by shopping mall.

After a few hours, my daughter wanted some 'me' time to look at clothes, so my son and myself were alone. The local AD has just redone his storefront with a big Rolex sign...he asked me to step in and look at Rolex watches.

During our last trip, he spent his time admiring the OP39 with blue dial; a watch that he just loves and keeps looking at; but this time he asked for the master catalog.

He browsed through the pages, and stopped at the professional line. The watch that caught his eye: SS Daytona. I told him about YG, RG, 2T...he did not even blink. He turned around and told me, with a tone I have heard (and am proud to hear) before: The day I get my college degree, I will buy a SS Daytona.

His mind was set. He fell in love, with no background stories from me, with one of the most sought after watches in the Rolex line.

As we got out of the store, we sit in a near bench to wait for my daughter; and he asks me about the Daytona. He wanted to know the story, which sports is it tied to (he is an avid tennis fan and sees the Rolex logo everywhere) and why was it such a mystical timepiece.

We talked for several minutes about it, and I told him what I knew. He was surprised to see the prices (we went online to see MSRP for pretty much ALL daytonas!) and asked me which I liked...so I showed him my pictures. Probably, one of the timepieces that took me the longest to get....my YG on strap. Now, it is easy to get, but when it was released, it was available ONLY to the european market. It was a good 4 YEAR hunt until it was available in America....

His eyes were wide open, he stared at me and asked me: 'So you OWN Daytonas...where are they?' My answer: kept in the safe box, used a handful of times...next, he did not asked, but made a statement that shook me to the core. His words, 'Dad, you OWN some of the most sought after watches Rolex makes and keep them in a safe, to be used a handful of times. Let me say it again: you OWN Daytonas and do not wear them'

...my eyes were filled with tears that I held for whatever dumb reason went through my mind at the moment, yet he saw me wipe them from my watery eyes. My son had just taught me another lesson in life.

Love and life examples come in the most unexpected ways and from the last people we would consider teachers...such as from a pure heart of a 14 year old boy.

G-Jr: You NEVER cease to amaze me. I am VERY proud to be your dad. Love you. Always!!!!!!!!!

Awwwww. Made me cry!!

And i absolutely agree with him!



And he has a better taste than you

You have many reasons to be proud of him!

[daveathall]

Your son was exactly right. Good for him.

[incontrol]

Sometimes the son is smarter than Dad. Beautiful watch G, now enjoy it!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[SDRider]

Very cool story. My 15 year old sometimes comes up with gems like that too and he was with me when I bought my TT Sub.

Thanks for sharing and I'm glad you're enjoying the Daytona.

[rmlovett1]

Great story...thanks for sharing.

[nick c]

Smart son you have G, great story.

[rootbeer7]

No words needed

[GerardoG]

Originally Posted by daveathall

Your son was exactly right. Good for him.

He is.

Originally Posted by incontrol

Sometimes the son is smarter than Dad. Beautiful watch G, now enjoy it!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thank you! I agree!!!! He IS smarter!

Originally Posted by SDRider

Very cool story. My 15 year old sometimes comes up with gems like that too and he was with me when I bought my TT Sub.

Thanks for sharing and I'm glad you're enjoying the Daytona.

Thank you for reading!

Originally Posted by Richris1

Great story...thanks for sharing.

Gracias for reading!

Originally Posted by SG56

Awwwww. Made me cry!!

And i absolutely agree with him!



And he has a better taste than you

You have many reasons to be proud of him!

Yes, he does. And I DO have many reasons to be proud

Originally Posted by nick c

Smart son you have G, great story.

Smart indeed!!!!!

Originally Posted by rootbeer7

No words needed

I agree.

[JnmEaton]

Perspective. it's different for us all. Love the kids work ethic. Go get it.

[GerardoG]

Originally Posted by JnmEaton

Perspective. it's different for us all. Love the kids work ethic. Go get it.

I thought he would become someone amazing....he IS becoming someone amazing. Day by day.

[function12]

Great story. Thanks for sharing.
I forgot how told me, "it's just a watch." It might have been my grandfather who I got my watch addiction from.

[randomguy]

heart warming

[loobster]

Thanks for sharing, it's a great story

[Cru Jones]

Smart kid!

And, selfishly, if it means we'll get to see more photos of that stunner, I'm very happy. :-)

[teqp]

Looks like your son has a good head on his shoulders, you should be proud! And beautiful watch!

[GerardoG]

Originally Posted by function12

Great story. Thanks for sharing.
I forgot how told me, "it's just a watch." It might have been my grandfather who I got my watch addiction from.

Love the phrase!

Originally Posted by randomguy

heart warming

And best of all, I was there to experience it!!!!!!

Originally Posted by loobster

Thanks for sharing, it's a great story

Thank you for reading!

Originally Posted by Cru Jones

Smart kid!

And, selfishly, if it means we'll get to see more photos of that stunner, I'm very happy. :-)

You will!

Originally Posted by kcmo

I’ve had the pleasure of meeting this fine young man, Gerardo’s son, and all I can say is......G, you have every reason to be a proud dad!!

Time to follow your son’s advice and WEAR THOSE DAYTONAS!! Life is too short my friend.

Yes, you have met him. When we spoke about Daytona, he told me 'that is the watch Karis wears' He remembers!

Originally Posted by teqp

Looks like your son has a good head on his shoulders, you should be proud! And beautiful watch!

VERY proud!!!!!

[kcmo]

Originally Posted by GerardoG

Yes, you have met him. When we spoke about Daytona, he told me 'that is the watch Karis wears' He remembers!

VERY proud!!!!!

I’m honored

[kcmo]

I’ve had the pleasure of meeting this fine young man, Gerardo’s son, and all I can say is......G, you have every reason to be a proud dad!!

Time to follow your son’s advice and WEAR THOSE DAYTONAS!! Life is too short my friend.

[KrismanX]

That's one limited edition child you've got there. Keep that one close!

My grandfather was a man of simple beginnings. Grew up in the fishing villages of the Philippines, lived on his brother's couch while self-funding his Stanford education, worked his way up to being a very accomplished Civil Engineer; he even had a knack for real estate in his later years. My grandfather always wanted a Rolex, more particularly a YG DayDate with a president bracelet. In his final years he was wearing an old Seiko on a fake president bracelet. He often pointed out Rolex billboards and ads he would see to show me different models and such. As he got ready for his 50th wedding anniversary, he finally decided to splurge on himself(for the first time ever) and ordered a custom leather vest for himself, which he was set to pick up the week of his anniversary. Sadly, he never got to make that trip.

My grandfather was a well-off, self-made man; but he gave himself endlessly for others, never once thinking to enjoy some of the fruits of all that hard work for himself. I bought my Rolex as an homage to my grandfather. The Daytona is my reminder not just to race through life; but to value each passing second. Enjoy these golden moments with your son, G. Both of you have a lot to teach.

Great post

[GerardoG]

Originally Posted by KrismanX

That's one limited edition child you've got there. Keep that one close!

My grandfather was a man of simple beginnings. Grew up in the fishing villages of the Philippines, lived on his brother's couch while self-funding his Stanford education, worked his way up to being a very accomplished Civil Engineer; he even had a knack for real estate in his later years. My grandfather always wanted a Rolex, more particularly a YG DayDate with a president bracelet. In his final years he was wearing an old Seiko on a fake president bracelet. He often pointed out Rolex billboards and ads he would see to show me different models and such. As he got ready for his 50th wedding anniversary, he finally decided to splurge on himself(for the first time ever) and ordered a custom leather vest for himself, which he was set to pick up the week of his anniversary. Sadly, he never got to make that trip.

My grandfather was a well-off, self-made man; but he gave himself endlessly for others, never once thinking to enjoy some of the fruits of all that hard work for himself. I bought my Rolex as an homage to my grandfather. The Daytona is my reminder not just to race through life; but to value each passing second. Enjoy these golden moments with your son, G. Both of you have a lot to teach.

Great post

Thank you for your words and for sharing a beautiful example of life. I am grateful for this magnificent young man; I LOVE investing time with my family. Never ever spent time, always invested. And I do learn form them....a LOT!

Cheers!

[izamore3]

Awesome story! thanks for sharing it

[GerardoG]

Originally Posted by kcmo

I’m honored

Originally Posted by izamore3

Awesome story! thanks for sharing it

Thank you for reading!

[mjclark32]

Smart kid and I agree with him, I'm all about cost per wear. Be it, shoes/watches/clothes etc.
Keep up the good work, G!

[machob55]

Great story G. Yes, they do teach us don't they? Thanks for sharing!

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[cop414]

And the student becomes the teacher, getting an old cop misty eyed here G. You have to be one extremely proud father!

[G8RDPM]

Great story,G.
Your son comes from good stock!