Thoughts on this moral quandary?

I am looking at this from other perspective - what if I die and leave my watch to my daughter. Would I care that she sells? Do want her to hang on to the watch she most likely never wear and basically is forced to keep it forever just because of whatever tradition says? Do I want to be remembered by physical thing or by memories?

Nah, it's hers now, she can do as she wants.

Thanks again everyone for chiming in. So much value in hearing how you would all approach this.


^ This particularly stood out, and gets at the crux of the moral dilemma. The watch is valuable, physically, and more importantly, sentimentally. As such, I’ll never be able to part ways with it without regret—despite knowing I can liquidate it for a grail I’ll enjoy infinitely more.

That’s right. However, $5k is a nice head start for a $7k or $10k grail watch.

You bring up a good point. I think how the funds are spent matters. I’d feel much worse if the funds were used for gas and groceries, as opposed to acquiring a new timepiece which can be thought of as a metaphorical gift in lieu.

I own my father's watch, it a quartz peice with no real monetary value but he had to give up his clock collection when he went into the nursing home so he treasured that watch. Its the watch I'll never sell but will wear the least (the last time was the day of his funeral).

By the sounds of things there are no other items for the OP to remember his grandfather so maybe take some time to think about this. If required, a service might make the watch more wearable for you (or easier to sell) but think hard about polishing if you do wish to sell it.