is your watch more than just a watch?

[andromeda160]

Over the past year i've hardly been active on the forum, and it's not because my love for Rolex or the forum has subsided. it's been an interesting past year and as i've been more active on the forum again over the past few days i've kind of thought of my absence. I bought my first Rolex right when I graduated highschool as a gift to myself and became a forum member here later that day. It wasn't so much the fruits of my monetary success as much as something I had wanted my whole life and it seemed fair to reward myself with at the time.It also really opened my interest into Horologie. My watch became apart of my daily wardrobe immediately, which surprised everyone around me, after all it was a Rolex, it should only be worn on special occasions. I'm more of a free spirited type who lives every day as his last and could care less the depreciation of an item I never planned on getting rid of.

I ended up dating the person I thought was my soul mate shortly after getting the watch and she was always by my side. She loved my watch as much as I did and she saw it an extension of myself as I did. I had that watch on on our first date, and every date after, I had it on when I lost my vcard, I had it on when I got my first well paying job, I had it on through everything. We were inseperable, lived together, and sometimes things got financially tough for us, whenever I brought up selling my watch to help pay bills though, she always told me that my watch was apart of me and she'd live in a box before she made me sell it. I never would've let that happen obviously, but it really showed me that she understood how much the watch meant to me. we were dating almost 5 years when she broke up with me to be with some guy who had been her best friend throughout our relationship.so that was my final memory with her wearing that watch.

For 3 or 4 months after we broke up, I didn't wear the watch, I was really deep into a depression, almost got banned from the forum for a fight over purses before deciding to taking a little break from here. partially from embarassment, partially because I knew I was in a destructive mode and the last thing I needed to do was alienate my online Rolex Alias rofl. I wore my Omega through that time though, tried putting my rolex on, and would Cry, just remember everything, and it wasn't the bad memories, I just remembered the good, and that seemed to drive me even further into depression and alcoholism knowing she was gone from my life. eventually I hit my bottom one night after waking up in bed, not knowing how I got home, and the last thing I remembered was hitting my breathalyzer at a buddies house the night before. I had blown a .28 ( we were drinking to get drunk, I had 0 intentions of driving that night.) sometime after that I went into a drunken rage, beat my friend up, ended up talking to my boss blackout drunk, drove home and lost my wallet and keys to work. I had a nervous breakdown when I woke up and pretty much signed up for Rehab right then. Rehab isn't for everyone, but I probably wouldn't be here right now had I not gone.

When I went to Rehab I took my Omega with me, it had been my daily for quite some time now figured it would be fine while I was getting myself clean. well, after about 48 hours of me not drinking my body held alot more water than I was used too and my wrists swelled. (they don't have watchmakers or tools to add links in rehab ) So when my parents came to visit I asked them to bring my Rolex again. Floods of memories came rushing back, I literally spoke to therapists about my watch explaining how the watch was an achievement that I had worked my whole life for, and i've made alot of memories wearing that watch, but it just didn't make me happy like I used too. I used to see a future with the person I had all the memories with, now I have a watch, and memories. I guess it could be equated to wearing a wedding ring after marriage, as I truely thought I was going to spend the rest of my life with her.

it's been 6 months since i've sobered up , and I can wear the Rolex now, but it doesn't hold the charm it once did for me. I keep thinking I should make new memories in it because there will be plenty of people in life that will come and go, and not all the memories I had with the watch were with her. but when I bought this one, I planned on having it for life, an heirloom to pass on to my son someday so I feel conflicted. most days it's just a watch and I feel nothing, but other days there's a great deal of pain associated with it. I hate to sell my first Rolex, and feel I will regret it because you only get one first, but I also just started a new relationship a few days ago and wonder if i'm better off selling the watch and buying a new one with new happier memories. am I insane? or is anyone else this emotionally connected to their watch. either way, still probably sticking with the Omega for now.

[swils8610]

Sorry for what you’ve been through. Luckily you were smart enough to get help. I wish I had advice on to sell your Rolex or not. I also look at my Rolex as an extension of me. Some great memories with it some not so great. I’d give it some time. I regret selling my first one. Would pay anything to get it back. I’ve made memories with my current watch. I was wearing it while holding the hand of my mother as she died. Take some time. Make no knee jerk reactions. Perhaps not wear it for awhile and see if you miss it. Stay well


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[august1410]

Mine was a goal I set as a kid. I grew up very humbly and still live humbly. Mine may not be as desired as others, but it's mine and I was able to afford it.

That's about it.

[Colin10101]

That was a tough read without paragraphs lol.

I'd sell the watch. I don't think you need to stray from the brand entirely, but this watch in particular is a totem of your bad past. If I were you I'd flip it and buy a new watch that you can associate with your future success.

Good luck, and welcome back.

[Abdullah71601]

Do not sell the Rolex. In time, the strength of the emotions attached to the negative memories will fade and the positives will emerge. You'll regret not having your first watch then.

[andromeda160]

Originally Posted by Colin10101

That was a tough read without paragraphs lol.

I'd sell the watch. I don't think you need to stray from the brand entirely, but this watch in particular is a totem of your bad past. If I were you I'd flip it and buy a new watch that you can associate with your future success.

Good luck, and welcome back.

lol I know how annoying the paragraph thing can be, honestly didn't notice how much I had written. probably needs to be proofread as well, but I threw some indentation in here to make it slightly less irritating to read. Kind of hard to type everything out in these message boxes. much easier in word!

Thank you for your input though, I have other watches too which is kind of why I'm on the fence about it, although I have 3 on layaway right now 1 rolex, 1 tudor and 1 omega, and I could pay them all off if I sold this one.

[andromeda160]

Originally Posted by Abdullah71601

Do not sell the Rolex. In time, the strength of the emotions attached to the negative memories will fade and the positives will emerge. You'll regret not having your first watch then.

Kind of what I was thinking, I have quite some time ahead of me, I don't need the money right now so it's not like it's something that needs to be done in haste. The watch is definitely irreplacable, i've had it 5 years and I still haven't seen one with the same dial and indices.

[Abdullah71601]

Originally Posted by andromeda160

Kind of what I was thinking, I have quite some time ahead of me, I don't need the money right now so it's not like it's something that needs to be done in haste. The watch is definitely irreplacable, i've had it 5 years and I still haven't seen one with the same dial and indices.

Drop it into your sock drawer and leave it alone until you're ready to wear it. There's a lot of happy memories in that watch. Give it some time for them to return.

[BristolCavendish]

Your account of that particular Rolex watch and the memories it brought back are noteworthy as well as significant. Whether you opt to sell the watch or set it aside for later (as Abdullah suggested) is up to you. The key is perhaps not to do anything rash without thinking things over.

Various material items have a way of bringing up the past, both positive/negative and oftentimes both. I have an acquaintance who wore his watch (a Rolex GMT) for over 25 years before finally setting it aside as a prelude to moving on with his life. Prior to doing so, he wore it regularly, endured several job lay-offs, a costly divorce, an extended hospital stay + a few post-marital relationships that eventually went south. As a result, every time he looked at it, the 'Pepsi' brought back various disheartening recollections.

Not surprisingly, he began wearing a different watch as his everyday timepiece and the 'change of scenery' seemed to become part of a new chapter in his life. It was like switching to a clean slate for the newer days ahead. No more bad remembrances/recollections of the past and their ensuing disappointments.

Kudos to your efforts to proactively escape the destructive and health-impairing demons of alcohol abuse in moving forward. Maybe someday that Rolex will remind you of how far you've progressed and/or provide a sell/trade/flip opportunity to celebrate the promising days ahead and their rewards.

[SearChart]

I'm sorry to hear what you've gone through Greg. But it sounds like you're now on the right path to happiness.

I agree with Abdullah, do not sell the Rolex, you'll regret it later.

[dberman3]

I wouldn’t sell your watch as you’ll never be able to get it back and my guess is, you’ll probably wish you never sold it. Then, I’d guess you’ll end up buying the same model somewhere down the road. Enjoy your watch with your scratches and your dings. One day, I bet you’ll be glad you kept it. And if that doesn’t happen, sell it down the road. Who knows...you’ll probably get more for it then anyway. Glad to hear you’re in a better place. Happy Thanksgiving!


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[landroverking]

It's better to have loved and loss, than to never have loved at all
For me that goes or watch collecting too. I have sold many watches for various reasons thru the years. Trained myself to let the regrets fade.

[RW16610]

I'm proud of you, Greg Proud for all you've been able to overcome and the fact you had the courage to share this story with us.

I sort of know how you feel. My first Rolex was purchased at age 24 (I'm 31 now) and it was a 16570 black dial Explorer II (D Serial #). I wore it daily from June 2010 when it was purchased until June of this year (2017, of course). A few years back I got REALLY sick and was in the hospital for the better part of a week. Hardest time I've ever faced and it turned out to be viral meningitis. On a follow-up appointment my family doctor said "You're lucky". I didn't realize at the time how many cases can potentially end with brain damage or death.

My neck was hurting the days before going to the ER and I thought nothing of it. Had a really bad fever and things just got worse. When I was finally able to sit up and get ready for the ER visit I grabbed my Rolex, as always. Figured it would be a routine visit, spend few hours there and head home. Boy was I wrong!

I was far too ill to appreciate having it. At times or became annoying as ever. It was a nice reminder of one passion of mine (my favourite) that helped keep me motivated to get better.

By the time I got out I didn't want to see the watch. I started to associate it with the pain and negative feelings. Each time I saw the clasp it reminded me of having my blood taken every morning (sometimes two to three different spots) and seeing the clasp before they butchered my arm (blood tests at hospitals are the worse).

Over time though these feelings faded and I still decided to go for my dream watch (116710LN). The Explorer II wasn't my number one pick but I enjoyed it for those 7 years. I hated the stamped steel clasp, hollow centre links, and the bezel that was a scratch magnet with numbers that would fade in time. I made the move for the right reasons and couldn't be happier.

Just wanted to share that little experience with you and trust you'll make the right choice. Put it away for a while and see how it feels in time. If this doesn't go away in a few years and you decided to trade it for something else you like I would say that's a good choice too.

[teqp]

Don’t sell the watch. Remember you bought it for yourself originally. Unfortunately some memories came with that watch from someone who hurt you later on. As said above, those memories will fade and you original reason you bought it will always be there with you, as well as the new memories you can create with it.

Glad to read you are on a much better path. Stay the course!

[Thatguy]

Glad to hear you got help and are in a better place. I would hold off selling until you are sure that is what you want to do. Hopefully things will continue to improve and it will remind you of all that you have overcome to end up where you want.


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[andromeda160]

Originally Posted by SearChart

I'm sorry to hear what you've gone through Greg. But it sounds like you're now on the right path to happiness.

I agree with Abdullah, do not sell the Rolex, you'll regret it later.

What doesn't kill us only makes us stronger mate! i'm definitely back on the track I want to be on. I ended up getting kicked out of university too which was the biggest set back, I have to go to community college so the university will let me back in on probation. it's amazing how fast your life can spiral if you let it. But with a little work and determination all will be right in my world again. This was just a road bump in the grand scheme of things. a very expensive and time consuming road bump, but will be in the rear view before I know it.

really thankful for all the input though, I didn't expect this to garner many responses.

[andromeda160]

Originally Posted by RW16610

I'm proud of you, Greg Proud for all you've been able to overcome and the fact you had the courage to share this story with us.

I sort of know how you feel. My first Rolex was purchased at age 24 (I'm 31 now) and it was a 16570 black dial Explorer II (D Serial #). I wore it daily from June 2010 when it was purchased until June of this year (2017, of course). A few years back I got REALLY sick and was in the hospital for the better part of a week. Hardest time I've ever faced and it turned out to be viral meningitis. On a follow-up appointment my family doctor said "You're lucky". I didn't realize at the time how many cases can potentially end with brain damage or death.

My neck was hurting the days before going to the ER and I thought nothing of it. Had a really bad fever and things just got worse. When I was finally able to sit up and get ready for the ER visit I grabbed my Rolex, as always. Figured it would be a routine visit, spend few hours there and head home. Boy was I wrong!

I was far too ill to appreciate having it. At times or became annoying as ever. It was a nice reminder of one passion of mine (my favourite) that helped keep me motivated to get better.

By the time I got out I didn't want to see the watch. I started to associate it with the pain and negative feelings. Each time I saw the clasp it reminded me of having my blood taken every morning (sometimes two to three different spots) and seeing the clasp before they butchered my arm (blood tests at hospitals are the worse).

Over time though these feelings faded and I still decided to go for my dream watch (116710LN). The Explorer II wasn't my number one pick but I enjoyed it for those 7 years. I hated the stamped steel clasp, hollow centre links, and the bezel that was a scratch magnet with numbers that would fade in time. I made the move for the right reasons and couldn't be happier.

Just wanted to share that little experience with you and trust you'll make the right choice. Put it away for a while and see how it feels in time. If this doesn't go away in a few years and you decided to trade it for something else you like I would say that's a good choice too.

wow that's wild! i'm glad to hear you're alive and well, and with your grail watch now . I have a terrible needle phobia so while I haven't shared your pain, I know how terrifying needles can be. When they drew my blood before I went into rehab, my vision went blurry and I was about to pass out. I remember telling the nurse my vision went black and I was going to pass out and she pulled out the needle. Right when she did my vision came back but it was splotchy and I looked at my shirt and it literally looked like I was covered in blood splatter, I starting freaking out asking her if I was covered in blood, She was like no, I was like your lying I can see it all over my shirt!!! lol a few seconds later my sight came back completely and I started apologizing profusely because there wasn't any blood on my shirt, it was just a really weird visual experience from me almost passing out.
another time I visited my Exes brother in the hospital when he got out of surgery, and he had a drain tube in his hand. I ended up passing out from the sight of it. I've had guns in my face and I was literally less afraid than I am at the sight of a needle. Sorry for the digression.

I never really had a grail rolex when I bought mine, I just bought the first one I could afford and loved. and I still feel it's the perfect watch for me. it's just the memories. I guess all I can do for now is throw it in the drawer and see if it becomes less emotional with time, if not, it will probably still become more valuable <--- don't worry, it's only root beer

[andromeda160]

Originally Posted by teqp

Don’t sell the watch. Remember you bought it for yourself originally. Unfortunately some memories came with that watch from someone who hurt you later on. As said above, those memories will fade and you original reason you bought it will always be there with you, as well as the new memories you can create with it.

Glad to read you are on a much better path. Stay the course!

very insightful and I never thought of it that way, i'm glad the general consensus has been to keep it for now. as much as I don't enjoy wearing it sometime, I think selling it would be just as hard.

[joli160]

Huge congrats on your successful rehab :thumbs:

(Abdullah hit the nail )

[DeeDubya]

Very sorry to hear about your troubles. I cannot advise what to do with your watch as that is a decision only you can make. However I can echo the sentiments from the previous posters that those feelings do dissipate with time. It took me two years before I could look at the three years of my life I was with my ex with anything but utter contempt.

The beauty of life is the trials and tribulations that you will encounter. In my opinion, that would make the watch even more special to me.

[andromeda160]

Originally Posted by BristolCavendish

Your account of that particular Rolex watch and the memories it brought back are noteworthy as well as significant. Whether you opt to sell the watch or set it aside for later (as Abdullah suggested) is up to you. The key is perhaps not to do anything rash without thinking things over.

Various material items have a way of bringing up the past, both positive/negative and oftentimes both. I have an acquaintance who wore his watch (a Rolex GMT) for over 25 years before finally setting it aside as a prelude to moving on with his life. Prior to doing so, he wore it regularly, endured several job lay-offs, a costly divorce, an extended hospital stay + a few post-marital relationships that eventually went south. As a result, every time he looked at it, the 'Pepsi' brought back various disheartening recollections.

Not surprisingly, he began wearing a different watch as his everyday timepiece and the 'change of scenery' seemed to become part of a new chapter in his life. It was like switching to a clean slate for the newer days ahead. No more bad remembrances/recollections of the past and their ensuing disappointments.

Kudos to your efforts to proactively escape the destructive and health-impairing demons of alcohol abuse in moving forward. Maybe someday that Rolex will remind you of how far you've progressed and/or provide a sell/trade/flip opportunity to celebrate the promising days ahead and their rewards.

very interesting to think he made it 25 years with that watch before deciding on something new. and it's nice knowing i'm not alone in this weird watch connected way. I figured if anyone would understand my insanity, it would be people here. to most it's pretty cut and dry, get rid of the watch and move on type deal. but there's an aspect to a first Rolex that not many people get. especially when your intentions were to have that watch for life. The more I think about it, the more I want to keep it. even if I don't wear it again, it still represents a chapter in my life, and maybe in my later years I will look back fondly on the memories I had with her and just be happy that she was there for me when she was.

[gliderpilot]

Life happens. Keep the watch as a reminder what you had to endure to become the man you are today. Someday you will be glad you did ;-)


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[pickettt]

There are no good or bad experiences. There are just experiences. As crappy a life as I've had (past tense), experience has taught me that things will pan out. So long as you don't do anything drastic, the sun will rise tomorrow. As for the watch, I would keep it. You don't have to wear it, but you should keep it.

[SDRider]

I went through almost exactly the same thing you did when I was in my late teens. Well, except for the Rolex, the drunken rage and the internet stuff. I couldn’t afford a Rolex, there was no internet and I have never been the kind of person to drown my sorrows in a bottle.

It takes time to heal those wounds. Best to surround yourself with close friends and relatives, immerse yourself in your work and start to rebuild your life. Don’t look to the internet for understanding or support. Rely on those you are closest with for that and set the watch aside until you are over this breakup. The time will come and you’ll appreciate the watch again.

[mailman]

I can't tell you what to do with your watch Greg. I will congratulate you on taking the initiative to turn your life around Keep going. I hope you stay on path

[Old Geezer]

Originally Posted by Abdullah71601

Drop it into your sock drawer and leave it alone until you're ready to wear it. There's a lot of happy memories in that watch. Give it some time for them to return.

Glad you pulled out of the downward spiral you found yourself in. I agree that giving the watch some time before selling it makes sense. Bad memories fade with time and good ones come often. The balance may shift before you even realize it.

[andromeda160]

Originally Posted by Old Geezer

Glad you pulled out of the downward spiral you found yourself in. I agree that giving the watch some time before selling it makes sense. Bad memories fade with time and good ones come often. The balance may shift before you even realize it.

Thank you for the wise words Old Geezer.


Sorry, I just had to! I love the name!

and thank you all for the well wishes. Life seems to be getting much better every day.

[Dyim]

Glad that you are getting better.

I remember the occasions of acquiring certain watches. But no real memories tied to any of them afterwards.