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SBund
·Hi everyone,
I just wanted to say thanks again and report back.
At time the time of writing my original post, I was on vacation and out of country. Thus, I was not able to act fast when the decision to purchase was made. I had a dinner planned with the seller this evening where I would purchase the watch.
An hour ago I got a message from the sellers son. He was heartbroken to tell me that my current grail watch would not become mine as he decided to offer the same money to purchase it. He did not know that his father had the intention of selling the watch until this morning. Needless to say, I am gutted. But I do however sympathises with the watch (a one owner piece) being passed on within family.
I still owe you to story of the watch - I was saving it for a post with a nice picture of the newly bought 145.022-69:
The watch is purchased in Copenhagen in store that no longer exists. The purchaser - a young lad of approx. 17 years - bought it in approx. 1973. He did not come from money - he saved every penny for a long time to buy this watch for himself. Young and foolish (and because times were different), he had it sized to his wrist and left receipt, box and papers with the salesman; "I don't need that stuff". He walked out smiling.
Five years later, at the age of 22, he was already married. The watch was in need for a service - the hour subdial would not move. Luckily, his wife's uncle knew a watchmaker. The watch was put away in an envelope in a drawer until the uncle could take it to the watchmaker. Later that same year, he got caught up in a divorce and the watch was completely forgotten about. It was left for around 42 years in that drawer.
Approximately one year ago, he was contacted by his ex-wife saying she found something of his; "It's an envelope with your name on it and a watch inside". This is approximately the time where he writes on a local FB site asking if anybody can help him on where to get his watch serviced and possibly the value of it. I love vintage Speedmasters. I have dreamt of one for a long time and I have spent too much time studying them without the funds for one. I knew it was a 145.022-69, so I of course helped him. Needless to say he was amazed when I told him my value expectations. It turns out that the gentleman has seen rough weather over the years. An alcohol addiction for one and a life that was just not going his way. He managed to get past all that and he has since moved far out to the country side, bought a boat and is living his best, retired life. He lives simple and cheap - "I cannot afford this watch" were his words. Thus, he came to the thought of selling it to me.
The rest of the story is basically in the original post. Although I am sad that I missed out, I am very happy that a son will have this memory of his father - it is more important.
If you made it this far, thanks for reading!
I wish you all a nice day.
I just wanted to say thanks again and report back.
At time the time of writing my original post, I was on vacation and out of country. Thus, I was not able to act fast when the decision to purchase was made. I had a dinner planned with the seller this evening where I would purchase the watch.
An hour ago I got a message from the sellers son. He was heartbroken to tell me that my current grail watch would not become mine as he decided to offer the same money to purchase it. He did not know that his father had the intention of selling the watch until this morning. Needless to say, I am gutted. But I do however sympathises with the watch (a one owner piece) being passed on within family.
I still owe you to story of the watch - I was saving it for a post with a nice picture of the newly bought 145.022-69:
The watch is purchased in Copenhagen in store that no longer exists. The purchaser - a young lad of approx. 17 years - bought it in approx. 1973. He did not come from money - he saved every penny for a long time to buy this watch for himself. Young and foolish (and because times were different), he had it sized to his wrist and left receipt, box and papers with the salesman; "I don't need that stuff". He walked out smiling.
Five years later, at the age of 22, he was already married. The watch was in need for a service - the hour subdial would not move. Luckily, his wife's uncle knew a watchmaker. The watch was put away in an envelope in a drawer until the uncle could take it to the watchmaker. Later that same year, he got caught up in a divorce and the watch was completely forgotten about. It was left for around 42 years in that drawer.
Approximately one year ago, he was contacted by his ex-wife saying she found something of his; "It's an envelope with your name on it and a watch inside". This is approximately the time where he writes on a local FB site asking if anybody can help him on where to get his watch serviced and possibly the value of it. I love vintage Speedmasters. I have dreamt of one for a long time and I have spent too much time studying them without the funds for one. I knew it was a 145.022-69, so I of course helped him. Needless to say he was amazed when I told him my value expectations. It turns out that the gentleman has seen rough weather over the years. An alcohol addiction for one and a life that was just not going his way. He managed to get past all that and he has since moved far out to the country side, bought a boat and is living his best, retired life. He lives simple and cheap - "I cannot afford this watch" were his words. Thus, he came to the thought of selling it to me.
The rest of the story is basically in the original post. Although I am sad that I missed out, I am very happy that a son will have this memory of his father - it is more important.
If you made it this far, thanks for reading!
I wish you all a nice day.
Edited:
