"So beautiful, but I can't afford it, now."
We see a 15th birthday on the horizon coming closer.
He stretched to get a fantastic fountain pen for Christmas, worked hard for it and put in what he originally saved up for a Meta Quest 3. As a result, his "project budget" is currently depleted.
I know, that he really loves the Citizen NH8390-20LE. And without a doubt it fits perfectly in his style. But, this time, he can't use own money on the watch, but needs to recharge first. So he stated: "So beautiful, but ...".
I was shopping today. My wife and I decided to give this watch to our son as a birthday present without him having to contribute his own money. When I went to the Citizen department where my 14-year-old tried on the watch the first time, the salesperson remembered him: "A birthday present for your young man? I see a lot of 14-year-olds marauding through the store and act like tough guys, spraying the Armani perfume testers empty. Your son is different. He knows how the world works. It's always been a pleasure speaking with him. So, I happily give you a discount." I didn't ask for it, but I was ready to pay full price. She made the decision on her own. And she even sends birthday greetings. Yes, he is a gamer, and he has his lazy teenage moments too. He also plays guitar in a band and performs on stage. He's just like any other 14-year-old ... Well, I saw him dancing with a girl recently ... Damn! 🤯🔥! ... He's got intelligence and a zest for life.
I have been there, when the first Lamy Safari fountain pen hit schools. I have been there, when the first G-Shock came into the classroom. I have been there, when the ticking of my classmates' first S...
He’s better dressed than I am now 😂
Looks classier than some $2000 watches. Great pick
Great father/son story ❤️
Love what you and your wife do for a fine young man. It's a reflection of the two of you in raising him. A watch will give him those memories of now that he can carry on in his future.
Cheers
Class watch, striking dial. Your son has a sense of taste, I wish I had when I was young. Or in my 20s. Or in my late 20s, lmao.
When I was 18 and was playing in a band I bought a really ugly RG512 fashion watch as a statement piece.
Glad I did this with my own money, not glad that that money went to a crap quality watch, instead of some music gear.
Respect to the salesperson giving you that discount. Nice move
Nice present :) What fountain pen is that ?
Nice present :) What fountain pen is that ?
The fountain pen is his Parker Duofold Prestige Blue Chevron Centennial Gold Trim.
Lucky Lad, Lucky Dad ❤️
As long as there are 14 year olds like your son there's hope that style won't go the way of the 🦤.
For me, there's a watch with a cross hair dial on the horizon and as long as I can't afford a Furlan Marri White Sector or Baume & Mercier Clifton Baumatic, it's probably a variant of this one.
The watch is excellent and I think (personally) the blue is the best colour and it will easily become a strap monster. The pen is so nice it's hard to put into words. Happy birthday to your lad. I would be very proud indeed if a salesperson remembered how your son conducted himself. My parents (both passed) always drummed into me "manners are free and can take you a long way".
You guys nailed it with this watch. If there is a mechanical watch, beautifull, reliable and with style from a established brand but entry price level, THIS quite new line from Citizen would be always my answer.
I'm sure your wonderful son will have a lot of hoy with it for the next decades.
He totally deserves it! He has great taste, and, he plays music. What else can a dad expect from a son.
Seem as if his a busy teen learning guitar playing in a band liking watches as well as dressing well I think you've hit the jackpot with your son as he is showing you in his way it's a beautiful thing . I have three son of very different ages a 9yr old a17 yr old and a 21 tr old and I too have been gifted 3 charming squire's 🙏
Definitely will be a happy birthday for your son. Great story, he’ll remember and treasure it forever.
I remember the story of the pen 🖊️, that is a beauty to compliment it! Great work, dad!
A cool Japanese automatic is a great gift for a teenager. I have three half-siblings, my dad's kids. When the oldest had his first Communion, me and my dad got him a Seiko SNK809. He's got an active lifestyle, so it seemed most appropriate to give him a sporty watch.
In a way, your son reminds me a bit of myself, when I was his age. As a kid I've been obsessed with fountain pens. When I was 14 or thereabouts, I saved up for - and bought - a Waterman Hemisphere. Rather basic compared to your son's Duofold, but at the time it was my treasure and pride. I also looked up to my dad in style, so I've been the only kid around wearing button-up shirts and blazers...alternating between these and a leather jacket over a Guns'n'Roses T-shirt.
Perfect gift! Great story
Sound like a responsible, smart young man! Good job on your part to reward him! Sometimes they just deserve it…
Your son sounds like a fine young man and you and your wife are obviously doing a great job raising him. When I was in primary school we weren’t allowed to use ballpoint pens until we had mastered the fountain pen. We all were given a pen (Esterbrook I think) and a blotter to learn with and I continued to use one into my early twenties before abandoning them.
Awesome children usually go hand in hand with awesome parents
I'm also a well-dressed teenager, although nearing my twenties at an alarming rate. I see a lot of parallels between a slightly younger version of myself and your son.
The fact that he's into pens is another awesome detail. I recently bought my first precious metal fountain pen, a '50s Sheaffer Triumph Touchdown Sentinel Deluxe, which is not only a mouthful to say, but also needs quite a bit of work. What was my first nice pen? A Parker jotter. My Parkers aren't nearly as fancy or well-built as your son's, but Parker is my favourite brand of pen and I will recommend them until the day I die. As the owner of an antiques shop I visited put it, "Parkers are the Toyota Land Cruisers of pens."
You can be a proud father. I can't speak for every man in the world, but isn't that the goal that we all have in common; to make our fathers proud? I like to think I've done a good job. Every great son has an awesome father, so pat yourself on the back!
Wishing a happy birthday to your young lad.
Beautiful watch, and great story. Thanks for sharing.
Congrats. I think it’s okay to say „Well deserved, mate!“
I love it! Mine is the same but in a different color. The story behind this watch is also amazing. The watch's "father", the original C7 was the first one to introduce the mineral crystal to the market. (Also, mine was also gifted to me by my parents so it's really special, my first automatic.)