Watches ruined by association
Watches carry a lot of meaning for most of us here on the Crunch. We often associate a watch to a milestone or a life event. Got a promotion at work? Or first born child? Or a watch you purchased on vacation? We attach those positive memories to the watch and the watch goes on to remind us of those positive moments throughout our lives. It’s a happy thing.
But sometimes, things happen and a watch might be part of that picture, and we then attach a bad memory to a watch. Maybe a bad car accident and you’ll always associate a certain watch with that day.
Or it can be like baby names. You might like the name Bill, but because you know someone called Bill that is just a horrible person, you can’t then give your child that name or else you’ll always be reminded of horrible Bill from now on. So maybe it was someone at work that wore a certain timepiece and so you could never possibly like that watch now because of him/her.
Are there bad memories or associations you have that are attached to a watch? Tell us the story and the associated watch in the comments below.
Lifelong watch lover. Learning more every day about this hobby. See more photos on IG @morebillablehours
Had a square Diesel watch that my now ex wife gave me. I know fashion watch... But whatever. It was a nice piece nontheless. I had to sell it. Everytime I looked at it I was reminded of the bad times. We are now happily divorced and I can wear any watch I want without thinking of her!
I survived a recent car wreck with my Seiko SSK GMT Batman. Car totaled. Still traumatized. Coping with humor. WWBD…what would Batman do?
Good thing I was wearing an Apple Watch when the worst thing that happened to me in recent memory occurred.
2006 was working for Harley Davidson in Fairfax Va when I had a motorcycle accident that starter the long road to the cane I'm on now, had 3 bones taken out of my wrist too. Was wearing this H-D Bulova I got from my boss. Found it in a box, in a box in a glasses case a few years ago. Broke it down,cleaned it up and put it away never to be worn again.
I survived a recent car wreck with my Seiko SSK GMT Batman. Car totaled. Still traumatized. Coping with humor. WWBD…what would Batman do?
Humor can be a great medicine. Apply liberally. Glad you’re okay.
First wife gave me a watch for an Anniversary gift.
It broke and the marriage did soon after.
I'm leaving it as a non-runner in symbolism.
I bought my JLC Master Geographic in 2019 as a celebration of professional success. About a week after the charge cleared the credit card, my fund lost its largest investor and probably 60% of its revenues. So it's one of those watches that is inextricably linked with a crisis.
But we pulled through it, tightened our belts, worked out asses off and survived and thrived. I think in the same way that it reminds me of something terrible happening, it also reminds me of the joy of working with people who believe in what you're doing even during hardship. So positives too.
I don't think we get to choose our memories and the memories that get tied to watches. I think that's what makes then so beautiful and meaningful.
Nope, nothing. While I have undoubtedly been wearing a watch when 'bad things' happened in my life over the years, I might as well obsess about the sneakers or underpants I was wearing at the time, too.
The takeaway? A watch is an object. I don't invest it with any more 'power' than any other object.
Welp, none of my watches, thank goodness for that but yes, there are some watches that had association with a group of people I tend to dislike on sight.
This. The Rado Diastar, worn by old men lounging around in coffee shops being the most unagreeable 'Asian Uncle' stereotypes. Blegh. Honest to God, turns me off Rado even now, and making me leery of gold and two-toned watches even to this day.
I survived a recent car wreck with my Seiko SSK GMT Batman. Car totaled. Still traumatized. Coping with humor. WWBD…what would Batman do?
Sorry to hear that my MURICAN twin brother, I'm glad that you are ok (well not in the head obv, but we knew that already)
He would buy a new lambo for the trouble XDDDDD
Well for me, I was wearing something when I survived a car crash, but I can't remember what I was wearing lol, car was totaled, but miraculously I came out unscratched, so I had my guardian angel working hard to keep me alive, I really should pay him/her/it overtime for the duty
I watched my father dying wearing this watch. I eventually had to take it off his arm as he was waving it about uncontrollably. Later my mum gifted us all one of dads things and I got the watch. However it’s not morbid to me - I wear it with pride, remembering his fight against a terrible illness.
Good question. Similar to @UnholiestJedi, my ex-parents-in-law gave me this cool Columbia field watch for my birthday in 2006 (if my memory serves me right).
Parted ways with my ex 2 years after that, but still wore this watch. It was the only one I had at that time.
In 2019, I didn't change out the battery anymore, seeing that the seconds hand came out, and I thought it had reached the end of its life. So, I just kept it in one of my small boxes.
However, unlike @UnholiestJedi, in Feb 2022, I decided to revive it. A new VJ-32 quartz movement was installed, and the watchmaker simply refitted the seconds hand. It's been with me in the past to so many places, and in countless scenarios, including all the memories that came with that-- good and difficult. But since Feb 2022, I've also built many good memories with it.
All 17 years of its history to date, is part of my history-- all my life stories, and the many great lessons I have learned so far-- and will still be part of whatever is ahead.
For me, to discard it, sell it, or give it away, is to throw away a part of my history.
This one, the Smiths Everest PRS-25. Not exactly ruined but the purchase process was such a mess that I sworn off Timesfactor forever.
This one, the Smiths Everest PRS-25. Not exactly ruined but the purchase process was such a mess that I sworn off Timesfactor forever.
Same here.
Interesting
As of now
nothing that I can tell on bad memories attached to a watch as of yet.
Hopefully never
I watched my father dying wearing this watch. I eventually had to take it off his arm as he was waving it about uncontrollably. Later my mum gifted us all one of dads things and I got the watch. However it’s not morbid to me - I wear it with pride, remembering his fight against a terrible illness.
That is an absolutely beautiful watch from a brand I never heard of.
That is an absolutely beautiful watch from a brand I never heard of.
They were the royal jeweller in the U.K. for a while. Alas they no longer really do watches.
I watched my father dying wearing this watch. I eventually had to take it off his arm as he was waving it about uncontrollably. Later my mum gifted us all one of dads things and I got the watch. However it’s not morbid to me - I wear it with pride, remembering his fight against a terrible illness.
I'm sorry for your loss. I'm glad you have your dad's watch. I have a sinking feeling my father's may have been interred with him, still on his wrist.
They were the royal jeweller in the U.K. for a while. Alas they no longer really do watches.
I've seen some Gerrards in my search for vintage watches.
Welp, none of my watches, thank goodness for that but yes, there are some watches that had association with a group of people I tend to dislike on sight.
This. The Rado Diastar, worn by old men lounging around in coffee shops being the most unagreeable 'Asian Uncle' stereotypes. Blegh. Honest to God, turns me off Rado even now, and making me leery of gold and two-toned watches even to this day.
Rado Disaster.
Memories both good and bad can definitely become attached to watches.