My Story...My Future and the Grail
Hello everyone. It's not very often that I post here in Watchcrunch, despite coming to this website pretty much everyday to check everyone's posts and opinions.
I love writing about some perks and some thoughts that I have sometimes related to watches, not because I expect anyone to see, but maybe as a reminder to myself and a way to keep track of my earlier steps in watch collecting... so if this post is not all that interesting (I hope it is ha ha) this is my disclaimer.
But anyway... I was watching a Watchfinder video and Andrew mentioned one specific brand named Dornblüth & Sohn ( I won't even try to understand how this brand's name is actually pronounced ha ha) and after him explaining the concept of their watches I fell in love immediatly!
I am a young guy, just turned 18 a few months ago, and I started my passion in this hobby once my father turned 50 in the beginning of 2022.
We were having a nice dinner to celebrate his birthday and it occurred to me that all things I wished for at that time were disposable.
Items such as new earphones, tablets, smartphones...
Ever since I was younger I always had a really deep connection with technology (such as a lot of people from my generation have, maybe one of the reasons why I started my journey on Electrical Engineering and Computers in College), but at that instance, in the middle of the dinner, I saw an older man at a table next to ours and despite the fact that I didn't actually know the guy it invoked a feeling that I don't recall having felt before.
I felt the urge and the curiosity to own something that would last me a lifetime and that I would own with pride.
Something that would live with me for the rest of my life and have a deeper meaning and relation to me than a group of circuits that I could wear on my arm and in 2/3 years would be switched by the latest model.
( I am not judging SmartWatches... I actually owned an Apple Watch for about 3 years and wore it pretty much every day, and it's a great device, specially as a fitness and health monitor.
But I felt "over-connected" ... having a computer in my wrist made me even more dependent on the technology that already consumes us constantly either we want it or not.
There are multiple stories about watches that go from generation to generation as an object that does not only represent a brand or a product, but a journey... the life of the person who owned it and used it every day of their lives just to be passed on as a memory of that same person.
I love giving watches this character. They are not simply objects... they represent an occasion, an experience, an accomplishment, a person... or any other feeling/emotion that I can give to it.
I bought my first watch when I turned 18. There are actually some posts about it on my profile. My love/hate relationship with Seiko is very interesting ah ah... but nevertheless.
I met a really cute girl a few months ago... we started dating and despite only knowing her for a while I truly hope our relationship can last.
I know I am still very young... and life is ready to throw some hard curve balls at me, so stating that she is the person I will marry is likely too soon to be truth, but she is the person I most connected ever since I came into this world. She is such an incredible girl all around. We have the same goals, the same taste, she is so hard-working and motivates me to do better every single day of my life. I feel honored to be able to be with someone like her and if I get married one day, I hope she is the one.
Anyway, finally connecting the dots!
In the Watchfinder video, Andrew mentions that the watch brand D. Dornblüth & Sohn is family owned and all their watches are made by hand, according to the costumer preferences.
I rather have one expensive thing that is made for me, a custom item that I will have a meaningfull connection, than cheaper items that are disposable or that don't transmit the same message simply because it is made for a wider audience or has brand reputation.
And since I love attaching emotionally the watch to an occasion, specially if this watch can be tailored to my preferences, I started thinking about the possibilities... and then it hit me like a strike of epiphany!
The watch I will wear on my marriage will be from this brand! It has to be... The custom dial with my name and the bride's name engraved so that every time I stare at it to appreciate its beauty I will be reminded of her... of us.
A meaningfull emotion that will always be connected with my marriage and that I will carry every day on my wrist to be able to remember that family is what guides us in our life and that as a couple we are in each other's life every second (not in a psycho killer kind of way, but as a team) even if far appart or in the same room.
The dimensions are just great and the aesthetic... perfect! The watch is just stunning from every angle... specially the 38.5mm with small seconds on the dial :)
I am aware that I probably should focus on other aspects of my life right now. I am still really young to start thinking about marriage and all that stuff, but romanticizing watches and our journey, for me is the base of my love for this hobby, so I can't just ignore it.
There are beautiful pieces I would love to own, but this one... this is my GRAIL... maybe in the future I can start thinking about the kids as well and the watches I would buy "For Them", but I believe for now I will just stick with the marriage ah ah!
As another disclaimer, I am writing this at midnight so I am really tired! Maybe the grammar is not the best... the ideas might be a bit confused and if I read this in the morning I will most likely remove it or make it private, but for now I will keep it for a night.
Thank you for reading, if you had the courage to go until this very end.
Have a great week everyone.
Cheers!
[Edit] -> I just wanted to add one small comment because apparently there was some confusion about this topic.
I don’t intend to buy this watch or get married in the near future! It’s a plan for the next 10 years once I have financial stability and a more stable relationship :)
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That’s one of the best things I’ve seen written here, thanks for sharing. It sounds like you’ve got things as sorted out as a young guy can, and that speaks well of you.
This isn’t exactly related to what you wrote, but I have a small piece of advice if you’ll allow. As you move through your watch journey, don’t throw away watches you’ve outgrown. By all means sell them if you need the money, but if you don’t, keep them. If you’re anything like me and many others, you’ll look at those watches years later and they’ll be full of memories. Even if you find them slightly embarrassing, they’ll also remind you of your past in a way few things will.
Cheers.
Thank you for taking the time to write this. You picked a great watch to aspire to and I wholeheartedly approve. They are an amazing brand and I love that you are eyeing D&S vs a hype brand. I hope it all works out.
I 100 % agree with @thekris ! I'm 61 and those memories are irreplaceable! I have watches back to my grandparents, parents, and gifts that were given to me for high school and college graduations etc.
Cherish them if you can.
Cheers!
Great choice, I've got one of these some if you'd like more info or pics hits me up.
Thanks for taking the time to write this. I enjoyed reading your story and it’s clear you are an intelligent and motivated guy who knows what he wants. I hadn’t heard of the brand but it’s one I will read up on now.
To be young and full of life… Enjoy every minute of it. And beautifully written post, thank you for sharing.
One of my first watches:
It needed a new movement several years ago and I sold it to a watchmaker for next to nothing, rather than fixing it. Really miss that one now and wish I’d played it differently
So hold on to your core pieces and be frugal with big purchases until you feel absolutely no need to be frugal!
I am so happy for that girl in your story. I can see you are devoted to this relationship and I wish you guys can have a happy journey together in your life. You taste is very similar to my boyfriend’s tastes, maybe he is going to like the watch you recommended. Right now I know what to get him :)
As I am cheap, I get baffled about people feeling the need to spend thousands on a watch. That applies especially to mass-produced status symbols from the likes of Rolex and Omega. You make a pretty good case why you want a special watch that lasts a lifetime, and why you do want it to be specially made for you, rather than mass-produced. In that respect, Dornblüth is really a good call.
You also want something memorable for your possibly upcoming marriage.
I would urge some caution though, for several reasons.
At your age, most people have not much disposable income. If you plan to get married and start a family an expensive watch is usually a frivolous expense. If you are from a wealthy family, that is a different matter, but if you are not there are more important priorities in your life.
There are much cheaper options to have a decent watch with customized dials to commemorate, say, a wedding. You don't want a disposable watch - well, if that watch commemorates the wedding to your life partner it ain't disposable.
When starting a relationship at a young age, even when you get married, there is still a serious risk that things won't work out. Imagine they do not, after just a year you break up, and you have that personalized Dornblüth. You would not want to wear it because of the heartache associated with it, you cannot sell it without a huge loss because it is personalized. With a cheaper personalized watch that's a hit on the chin you can take more easily.
So, if you want a Dornblüth to commemorate your marriage, do it as a (say) tenth anniversary celebration of your marriage, not right off the bat at your age. By then you can be certain your relationship will last, and you are likely to be more financially secure to afford the watch in the first place.
That’s one of the best things I’ve seen written here, thanks for sharing. It sounds like you’ve got things as sorted out as a young guy can, and that speaks well of you.
This isn’t exactly related to what you wrote, but I have a small piece of advice if you’ll allow. As you move through your watch journey, don’t throw away watches you’ve outgrown. By all means sell them if you need the money, but if you don’t, keep them. If you’re anything like me and many others, you’ll look at those watches years later and they’ll be full of memories. Even if you find them slightly embarrassing, they’ll also remind you of your past in a way few things will.
Cheers.
Thank you so much for those kind words and for the advice :)
I totally agree with you! It breaks my heart every time I see a person selling their grandparents watches or even past watches that they bought but didn’t wear it enough to develop the “relationship” with that piece.
I believe that taking time and actually enjoying wearing a watch for a long time is what makes them have a deeper connection with the user… so even if I stop wearing my current watches I will always save them so that in the future I will be reminded of the stories we had together!
Thank you for sharing your story! You seem to have your head and heart at the right place. And all that whilst being 18!
Love the watch (the right pronunciation is 'dornbloot and sone') and I hope you have that on your wrist for your marriage!
That is a stunning watch!! 👌🏼
Man, this is a great writing indeed. I feel you and you reminded me what i was all about at my 18th birthday, standing in my local watch store) I got the wrong watch. It's still with me, but it's not working and never will be. 3 watchmakers refused to do something about this watch except changing the batteries. And it's nowhere near as good as your Seikos.
But this idea of a watch being a companion on your journey is something that i was subconsciously thinking since i got my first digital Casio. 8 y.o. me didn't wanted to separate from his watch for more than 1 minute really. And i also got into Apple Watch trap, thinking that this piece of consumer electronics is the only watch i ever needed. And i sold almost every single working watch i've had because i thought that Apple Watch rendered them useless. And here i am now, spending bit too much time on a watch forum)
Maybe i am i bit romantic.
Great watch choice. But i'm with the ones who saying "dont rush it". This watch is more than a wedding watch. You don't know how will you or your partner change over time. You are young and i remember myself being young, my taste changed couple of times, my priorities in life changed a couple of times, i got my scratches and scars along the way and it changed me as a person. My values 12 years ago and my values today are different. And it's perfectly okay, it would be much more concerning if i'm still be thinking like a 18 y.o. in my 30's)
Take a look around the watch world. If you want to customise a watch, i believe that there is no better way to do this than just wear it and scratch it. If it's too vague for you, you can always engrave any watch you like really. If the watch is special for you it's special
When I was 25 years old, I also treated myself with a Dornblüth. Like you, I was impressed by the Watchfinder video and immediately convinced. I put together a watch on their website and was lucky that the one I wanted was one of the cheapest. The smaller models have an in house movement and are therefore "slightly" more expensive than the 42mm version with the modified ETA calibre. However, I would never do without the engraved dial. If you live nearby (or are willing to drive 7 hours like I am), I can only recommend picking up the watch yourself. The watchmaker is a very nice guy and will also show you how the watch is made.
I'm keeping my fingers crossed for your grail watch and can only recommend a Dornblüth.
P.S.: The watch is beautifully made, but you can tell that it is handmade.
I would love to say to take your time and see how your interests change over time… but I can’t. Dornbluth is everything that I like about watches and I don’t think you can do better than their charming, special pieces. I’m happy to hear that you’ve found such a special girl. Enjoy each day, my friend!
Not in the same league, but your Dornbluth musings reminded me of the Stowa Marine I had a few years ago. The 7001 may be my favorite ETA movement. Cheers