A Conversation on a Plane

[10XRolex]

What a great encounter and fantastic story to go along with it.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you as well.

[Datejust_bass]

Originally Posted by javert34

I have seen similar threads in the past, but thought I would share a recent experience. After a very long week of travel for work last week, I was on my last leg on a connecting flight back home. Tired from the week and a long day of travel I boarded my flight and took my seat in the very back of the airplane intent on putting on my noise-cancelling headphones and staring into space before falling asleep.

As I watched the normal ritual of people jockeying for a seat and attempting to place luggage the size of a sofa in the overhead bins, a young man and his girlfriend wandered to the back of the plane taking as seat near me. Just as I was about hit the go button on my playlist, I noticed the young man looking at me and gesturing at me as if to gain my attention. I will admit that I was at first thinking he was going to ask to trade seats, or something similar.

I believe I am a pretty decent chap, one who genuinely enjoys talking to other people. However, given the circumstances, all I wanted was a little Van Morrison in my ears and to take a nap. That’s said, I took my headphones off and the young man again gestured, saying, “Excuse me, sir. Is that an Explorer II?” To which I said that it was. In response, with a huge smile, he then asked if it was the 16570.

Now, ladies and gentlemen, it was clear at this point that Van Morrison would have to wait as this new-found friend had my full attention. Looking to be just a bit older than my oldest son (perhaps 19 or so), he sat with smile. My oldest son has an affinity for watches, but other than that my opportunities to talk about watches are few and far between. Needless to say, I just about jumped out of my seat.

The young man then related to me that the Explorer II is the watch he wants more than any other. Mine. The watch that I wear in my wrist, that means so much to me is someone’s “grail watch?” Not a Sub? Not a Daytona or a BLRO? A black dial, 16570...and the fact that he knew the reference number? For some reason that struck a chord with me.

I pulled it off of my wrist and asked him if he would like to see it, which he readily agreed. He tried it on telling me that he had never held one but hoped one day to buy that very model. In return he handed me his watch, a lovely, blue-dialed Tissot a piece in which I could tell he took a considerable level of pride, and rightly so. As we sat there for a bit admiring each other’s watches and talking about our mutual interest in these great items, I related to him what mine means to me and that it served as a reminder of an important milestone in my life. Impressed by his knowledge, I encouraged him the plug away toward his watch-owning goal. After a time, we then swapped back, thanking each other for the conversation and for sharing our watches.

It was a brief encounter, but was especially meaningful in many ways, at least for me. It was a welcome end to a long, tiresome week, one in which I was ready to get home to my family. This interaction was a reminder that we must appreciate everything we have. I never take for granted what I have, but in this case I get the great fortune to own and enjoy something this young man has set for himself as goal one day to own. In that moment and in the days since, I feel an even greater sense of appreciation not only for this wonderful hobby/obsession we share, but also for everything I have. This is what this is what this pursuit/hobby/passion is all about.

As we arrived at the airport in my hometown I learned that he was continuing on his journey. As I turned for the baggage claim we wished each other well and with a huge smile, he thanked me again. I don’t know where that gentleman will find himself this holiday season, but I sincerely hope our interaction impacted him even a fraction as much as it did me.

Young man, thank you for giving me that experience. Wear that lovely, blue Tissot well and in good health in all that you do. In the meantime, all the best in your journey this holiday season and in what lay ahead.

Merry Christmas

Congrats on your piece and your encounter. It’s happened to me before and I’ll confess I’ve disturbed people to speak of watches. Never , not once, have I encountered someone unwilling to talk watches. I just talked to a guy about his deep blue (which is what I was wearing at the time). It was a great conversation.

[goodolejr]

Lovely story. Thanks for sharing.

[ocwatching]

nice to read a real watch story...
I had a younger gentlemen hit me up at my club and I had my BLRO...
he just asked me how hard it was to get...who was my AD...what else did I buy
he did have the Hodinkee IWC..which was a cool piece...
but it was not a watch conversation...

[2001jesper]

Made me smile - Thanks for sharing

[WatchGuy1966]

Great post! Thank you for sharing.

[F1polesitter]

So where's the part in the story about value retention, or AD experience?

Just kidding, great story. Encounter another enthusiast in the wild is what makes this fun.

[JParm]

Awesome story! Always nice to talk watches with passionate folks.

[ThatExplorer]

Great post... it’s a weird thing for me, I’ve owned so many watches throughout the years, some have been people’s grails, some expensive etc... but after all the different models, styles, values my go to, my end all watch is the 16570 black dial. It’s something that will always stay with me.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Avs Fan]

Really nice to hear a story like that. I have been on both sides of this kind of encounter in the past!

[vesnyder]

Nice and thanks for sharing. Oustide of my son - who is coming along and lives out of state - and this forum, I rarely get to talk watches. I would welcome the opportunity!

Cheers

[CPTAmericaMV]

Awesome!

[ivo p]

Lovely short story, thank you for sharing!

Sent from my P80 Pro using Tapatalk

[Chewbacca]

Originally Posted by mountainjogger

Your post is what this hobby is all about. A love of people and watches. Thanks for sharing.

This.

Nice way to travel.

[wgdaytona]

Two thumbs up!

[FreshPrince14]

Brilliant! This forum needs more posts like this and less posts about price hikes, flippers and waiting lists.

I'd honestly think that your encounter impacted on that young man just as much as it did you. You possibly made his week or made his month. Having a complete stranger offer you his watch to try on when that's your grail watch must be an amazing feeling.

Reminds me of people who allow young people or kids a passenger ride in their Lamborghini or Ferrari etc. If you're lucky enough to own something like that then you should always be humble and appreciate that there's people out there who dream of being in your shoes. And you can bring amazing joy to them just by doing something that ultimately costs you nothing!

Fair play to you sir for allowing the young man to try your watch and a very happy Christmas to you!

Sent from my CLT-L09 using Tapatalk

[absoluteczech]

I didn't have quite the same encounter, but I was at Denver airport buying water in one of the stops, and a guy comments "love your watch". We both had SKX007 on with a grey nato strap Quickly made a few comments and talked about Hodinkee podcast, etc. Made my day

[Anamelistic]

Beautiful, this is what the entire hobby is supposed to be about. Sharing not just our watches but the experiences and journeys that have come with them.

[SkyClown]

Wow! Great to read such story on the day I’ve bought my first 16570! A watch I wanted since I was fourteen :) I hope this young fella will not wait 22 years like I did

[12o'clockhigh]

Excellent story - thank you for taking the time to pass it on to us.

[javert34]

Originally Posted by mountainjogger

Your post is what this hobby is all about. A love of people and watches. Thanks for sharing.

My thoughts exactly.

[javert34]

Originally Posted by superdog

I love this.

You sir are a man I’d like to chill with one day.

I’ll tip one to you this evening. And to your new friend.

You are on. My mom and dad are originally from the Garden State and I find myself there visiting family from time to time. The first dram will be on me.

[thejerseyrock]

cool

[swatty]

Enjoyed reading this story, thanks for sharing

[r_afficionado]

Enjoyed the story. God bless you and the young man whom has goals in this wonderful hobby.

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

[Tony8959]

Great story! I’m sure you made his week, letting him see his grail piece up close. Like you said it’s important not to forget we were all there once, when we might have thought something we wanted was unobtainable. We should always appreciate what we have and remember what it took to get there.

[Rags]

Great story, not too many young people have an interest in fine watches these days. I wish I had a son to share my watches with.

[Rolexes and Exs]

I’ve had a similar experience on a flight to Phoenix. An older gentleman sitting next to me noticed my no-date Sub. He said he loved Rolexes, but had never purchased any. I told him to bite the bullet and buy one. My philosophy is if you really, really want something don’t deprive yourself for years of getting what you want.

[Canbs]

Great story.
I'm sure he won't forget your encounter soon. So nice of you to take the time to chat, even after a tiring week.

[nicon]

Thanks for sharing this story. It's so refreshing among all those "wait lists" and "investment" bullsh*t.