One Non-Collector’s Perspective

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One of my closest friends, this guy is like a brother, asked me for a “baseball glove” strap for his favorite watch. He asked that I take the watch because he did not know how to remove the old damaged rubber strap.

The watch. A gigantic Invicta. Solid watch. I had never seen one in person. I see the occasional one on the forum. Well made but so big!

I had a look of hesitation… “what’s wrong?” Said my friend.

“You really want a baseball strap for this thing? I have brand new rubber straps that will fit it well” I said.

“You don’t understand” he said. “I want one of your straps and I want it on this watch”.

I mentioned (above) that we are like brothers. We are always honest with each other.

“Collectors frown at such big watches and at Invictas”. I said.

“Well, I am not a collector…” he replied. “Will you make a strap for me?”

He is right, of course. As a big man, he will wear this very well and paying a thousand dollars for a watch is something he will never do.

I sent him photos of the finished product and he loves it.

He retires in five weeks (he was a colleague). I should get him a Seiko. Do you have similar stories?
Edited:
 
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You are a true gentleman, sir, as is your friend. May we all be so fortunate as to have such good people in our lives.
 
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One of my closest friends, this guy is like a brother, asked me for a “baseball glove” strap for his favorite watch. He asked that I take the watch because he did not know how to remove the old damaged rubber strap.

The watch. A gigantic Invicta. Solid watch. I had never seen one in person. I see the occasional one on the forum. Well made but so big!

I had a look of hesitation… “what’s wrong?” Said my friend.

“You really want a baseball strap for this thing? I have brand new rubber straps that will fit it well” I said.

“You don’t understand” he said. “I want one of your straps and I want it on this watch”.

I mentioned (above) that we are like brothers. We are always honest with each other.

“Collectors frown at such big watches and at Invictas”. I said.

“Well, I am not a collector…” he replied. “Will you make a strap for me?”

He is right, of course. As a big man, he will wear this very well and paying a thousand dollars for a watch is something he will never do.

I sent him photos of the finished product and he loves it.

He retires in five weeks (he was a colleague). I should get him a Seiko. Do you have similar stories?

🙄 I couldn’t find the emoji with the halo
 
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I want to like and dislike this at the same time, but the strap is just too nice not to like it. 😀
 
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One of my closest friends, this guy is like a brother...

As a big man, he will wear this very well...

Heartwarming story and a nice strap!

Also, I found a pic of you guys online. No wonder your friend can wear an Invicta no problem!

1200px-Andr%C3%A9_the_Giant_in_the_late_%2780s.jpg
 
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That strap is SUPER cool with its inscriptions!!! Kudos to you and it’s a very heart warming story.
Beware about gifting him a Seiko, it’s a very nice thought, but if he loves this Invicta would he think you’re belittling what he likes?

It may be a significant amount of money for him, and maybe he would rather you spend the money on something else! Maybe tickets for a nice trip or a special experience with someone he loves?
 
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I have a similar story not exactly the same context but a friend with no specific interest in watches but getting into it because of my interest. I gifted him the below Seiko in 2020. He is quite happy with it.