September 2016, the Ultimatum If you buy another watch this year I'm going to divorce you and take you to the cleaners. I'll go for half your watches, the house, your car and Chunky. October 2016, the Grail. I was perusing watches in a York jewellers and I enquired as to lead time on a grail watch of mine, a Patek Philippe Nautilus ref 5712. The AD came back with approx 2 / 3 years and said you can get your name down on the waiting list for a non-refundable deposit of £500.00. I ummed and arred and decided to leave the shop without being added to the waiting list. Whilst wandering around York and sampling a few pints I decided I was going to go back to the AD to add my name to the list as I had to walk past it to get to the train station. After sampling a few more beers I decided to head back. As I'd had one beer too many I had lost track of time and the AD was shut. I thought well at least it's saved me a lot of money. November 2016, the Call. I had 2 missed calls on my mobile from a number I didn't recognise. I never usually do this but decided to ring the number back to see who it was. They answered the phone and it was the AD so I asked to speak to the salesman I'd been speaking to the last time I was in. Good news, spoken to Patek and they can get you the 5712 in about 2 months time but I need an answer today along with the £500.00 deposit. Within seconds my credit card was out and I was down on the list. December 2016, Watch Sale. Wife, what are you doing with those watches. Me, taking pictures to sell them as I'm fairly skint. Wife, you better not have bought another watch. Me, have I hell. Decembr 2016, the Appeasement Gift. Back to the AD to pick up a Christmas present for the wife. Would you like it gift wrapping and shall I put the receipts in your bag, without thinking about the plural of receipt I said go on then. Christmas Day 2016, the Receipt discovery. Wife opens her nicely wrapped gift and is over the moon. I said read all the paperwork so that you know how to set it etc. Unbeknownst to me the £500.00 deposit receipt was in with the paperwork. Christmas Day + 2 2016, the Argument. Silly argument over nothing and she drops the bombshell (why do women always save things up to use against you in the future?). Have you bought another watch, no what makes you say that. Wife, because I've found a receipt for a Patek. An Patek. It could have been something cheap but an Patek. That's it I'm taking you to the cleaners. I'm taking you for half of your Patek. Me, I'm off to walk Chunky and calling for a few swifties in the pub. 5 hours later when I come home the house is in darkenss and she's fast asleep in bed. Next couple of days the temperature is cooler than the Arctic. January 2017, the Collection. And as a thread is of no use without pictures here they are.
You've obviosuly made more than one error along the way. My wife wouldn't even know what a Patek was, let alone the value compared to an Omega. Congratulations though
She's still a bit frosty but when I collected it yesterday it cost me some new shoes, a handbag and a jacket. No doubt there's more to come.
Nice story, beautiful watch and I also hapen to know someone about to have a nest of kittens, I'll PM you the details
Great story! If that was my wife I'd still be convincing her £500 wasn't too much to pay for a watch I normally pretend the invoices from STS are for the watches themselves - it works occasionally!
I've used that one in the past as well. Unfortunately she turned into Miss Marples on this one and did a lot of googling.
If you want I can hold your watches for you in case of a divorce. Send them now and and avoid possible confiscation during the proceedings...
I have this occasional prescience .. call it a second sight ... but I see a big gift in your near future ... lots of big gifts ... but you're not receiving any of them.
There needs to be a new "Managing The Significant Other" forum. I have had a regular intervals unhappy noises from the missus. The other day, having ticked the wrong delivery box on my first Parcel Pro shipment, my Choc Speedy came to the house when I was in my downtown office vs my usual hold for pickup strategy. My son, in on the conspiracy, signed and put it on my desk. When my wife asked later what was in it I just said "materials" ... I pray that since I have a global job and get packages from other countries regularly, that "materials" from OZ meant books in her mind. Either that or she's resigned to this hobby of mine.
What a great story! Soon you may be the living embodiment of the old joke.. "Last weekend I got a Patek for my wife...and I thought that was a pretty fair trade." Ba-Dum-Bum <--Rim shot I'll be here all week Don't forget to tip your server.
