Got called out for my watch but it ended up positive

Sometimes I feel funny wearing a semi decent watch to work. I have been wearing my new PO as it feels comfortable but I was doing an intake with someone coming off the streets and he said “oh nice watch isn’t that an omega.?” I usually pull back and explain it’s the smaller version or used but I could tell it was bringing a smile to the guys face so I let him see it. Watches are really my only wasteful habit I don’t drink and try to be frugal but we all know the pull of watches.

Anyway this client went into the depth rating etc but then said “I gotta show you my collection and it’s more accurate than yours.” So we finished the assessment and I followed him up to his bunk. He had cleverly hidden an 12 space watch valet full of G-shocks. Now I had just seen he reports 36 months of homelessness. I have so far only documented 18 months but I just started digging. So he kept that collection outside in tents during the nice weather and inside various shelters where I can tell you theft is rampant. I asked him how the hec he was able to keep it together all this time. He smiled and said “I just love my watches.” So I got to flip it off me ask him about each watch which he was more than happy to go into. I wanted to post a pic but I didn’t want him taking the box all the way out and he had personal stuff with his name tucked in the box I’d be breaking rules and laws if I posted that.

It turned out well as he looks down on automatics as they are less accurate I was happy to concede he won that battle. So he started that collection 5 years ago when things were better has not lost one watch during his bumpy ride of living on the streets. I don’t think there is one among us who could pull that off. I’ll be the first to say I couldn’t. The odds are so much against that happening these poor guys and girls lose their life’s possessions in one raid of a homeless encampment by the police or the more likely and daily occurrence of theft.

For that reason I dubbed him “the greatest collector I know.” He saves up money to get battery changes so I’ll bring him a case opener and a pack of batteries. I gotta revive some non digital quartz. He asked me if I had any, I can be a nice guy but I’m not giving away my Tag Aquaracer it’s my favorite quartz but I usually try to help these guys out when they have an interest in watches. I keep a stash to hand out but I ran dry last month.

Anyway funny how for me it turned into one of my most disliked things, having a client ask me about a watch to getting this guy to open up and amaze me. I was looking at @Duracuir1 fine leather goods back pack watch holder and thought for a minute shoot that may be great for this guy but the nice leather would be another theft target. Maybe if I can get him housed I’ll get him one. I put out so much cash on these guys I never get reimbursed for over the years it gotta equal enough for a Swiss watch even with 60% tariffs.

Anyway I think this guy we will call him “Jose” deserves a mention on a watch forum as he pulled of something I didn’t think was even possible. I was actually shocked and I didn’t know I was still capable of being shocked. Jose is a top collector deserves a hand. Yes sorry I wrote a book probably TLDR but his G-shocks are every bit as precious to him as the many wonderful rare watches I see many of you with. I’m just a low end newb, a wannabe, Jose the real deal.

A very readable 'book' and certainly merits a mention 👌

A true watch enthusiast.

Don’t beat yourself up. Faith and prayer seems to become extremely important when two people who are about to cut you open tell you things aren’t looking good. I wish I could maintain the faith and prayer I had at that time but it’s always a struggle.