"It is not enough that I should succeed - others must fail”
The title of this thread is a famous quote that is often attributed to David Merrick, as well as to Gore Vidal and François de La Rochefoucauld (whoever the hell that is), among others. Today, it can also be attributed to Omeganut.
So, a few months ago, I met up for lunch with one of my oldest and closest buddies. And this is what he had on his wrist:
[To paraphrase the famous Seinfeld line, “It's real… and it's spectacular!”]
I said, “This is a Grand Seiko? But… but how? I’ve not seen this before, and I KNOW Grand Seiko.”
“This is the SBGV238... It’s limited edition.” He said this with a sigh… with a hint of… was that pity that I detected in his voice? Pity??? Him? Pitying me??? “It came out in 2018. And I got the last one from a shop in Colorado," he added.
I stared long and hard at the watch. The dial - the topography of G’s and S’s running all throughout that dial! How was this possible??? How could he have gotten this watch???
But, wait, what was that? The seconds hand… it ticked! Like, like… like a quartz watch! Oh, dear god, what a relief! He had a quartz watch!
“Well, it’s a beautiful watch,” I said, and handed the watch back to him with a smile.
I didn’t say it too dismissively. I didn’t want to upset him. Not too much, at least. I mean, why break the news to the poor benighted fool that real enthusiasts don’t buy quartz? So, I smugly drove away that afternoon, knowing contentedly in my heart of hearts that I was a better, smarter, more handsome, more virtuous human being than he.
And yet… for the past several months, I would lie awake at night, tossing and turning, as though in the grip of a fever. Something… something just wasn’t right! Why? Why were visions of two-tone 44GS cases filling my dreams??? What was this torment? A voice kept singing out to me, “40mm diameter, 46.2mm lug-to-lug, with a thickness of only… 10mm.” I would wake calling out, drenched in sweat, my heart racing. In the mornings, my wife would say to me, “What were you dreaming about last night? I could hear you mumbling something about crystals? Quartz crystals?” I would avert my eyes, and stare intently into my coffee. “Nothing, honey. It’s nothing.”
Well, dear friends, I could bear this affront no longer. That watch on his wrist was the equivalent of seeing this gal on this guy’s arm - an affront to all that is right and holy in this world!
[Actually, this is kinda the contrast between my wife and me, when we’re standing next to each other.]
So, today, dear friends, everything in this world has been set right. Behold! My SBGV238!
[My sister asked my daughter to make these teddy bear skeleton figurines for her.]
Now! Now with this watch on my wrist, I am once again reassured that between my buddy and myself, I am the better, smarter, more handsome, more virtuous human being!
*****
Just joking around. We met up for lunch, he had this watch, I went goo-goo-gah-gah over it, and he helped me find another one! I never knew that I could love a quartz watch so much! It’s awesome!
The Artist formerly known as @HotWatchChick69 and formerly-formerly @Omeganut
More from Mr.Dee.Bater
Beautiful watch that keeps great time and was obviously affordable for you.
All-in-all, much more preferable to being a watch snob.
BTW, Rochefoucauld was a philosopher centuries back. Kelsey Grammar tries several times to quote him in an episode of “FRASIER” that is pretty hilarious and sort of tersely explains what Rochefoucauld was about.
“Jealousy is an alteration in the very shape of time itself. Time loses its structure. Time stretches out.” -Walker Percy, Lancelot
Rarely do those who collect watches for status disguise it as well as you do. (Pretty watch.)
“Jealousy is an alteration in the very shape of time itself. Time loses its structure. Time stretches out.” -Walker Percy, Lancelot
Rarely do those who collect watches for status disguise it as well as you do. (Pretty watch.)
I know, right? Next I'm gonna post this kind of wrist shot:
Those who play with the Devil's toys, will be brought by degree to wield his sword.
- R. Buckminster Fuller
To know thyself is the beginning of wisdom.
- Socrates
😉
Great story btw.
I know, right? Next I'm gonna post this kind of wrist shot:
I just want to take a minute to thank you for establishing the mental picture that will appear for me whenever anyone says "bougie".
That said, you absolutely should get a Delahaye and post a shedload of steering wheel shots.
Awesome storytelling and an awesome watch. My Friday just got better.
I have a GS Spring Drive, and a Hi-Beat, in a 62GS case, and that blobby Elegance Collection GMT case. I have a Citizen Chronomaster, so I'm not above quartz. I'm now eyeing GS quartz as a budget way to get into a GS44 case, and movement completionism (well, I suppose I should also get a 9SA5 and a 9RA2, but I'm not made of money).
And just cause I like to show off The Citizen at every opportunity:
Nice addition! Now excuse me while I try to find another name for my Emo Grateful Dead tribute band other than Teddy Bear Skeleton…
Oh, Holy of Holies, the rapturous voice from the Heavens beckons us to its Pearly Gates and presents the vision you have bequeathed. For this day is given to us the Grand Seiko Quartz! And it will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God-Tier, Everlasting Seiko!
Those who play with the Devil's toys, will be brought by degree to wield his sword.
- R. Buckminster Fuller
To know thyself is the beginning of wisdom.
- Socrates
😉
Great story btw.
Thank you, sir. It's all just for laughs.
I just want to take a minute to thank you for establishing the mental picture that will appear for me whenever anyone says "bougie".
You know, I had never known the definition of "bougie." I just googled it, and this is what the top return says:
That's exactly right. I think the reason we all have fled social media and come here to WC is precisely because of all the status anxiety and class striving on offer on social media.
You know what? You've inspired me to write another, separate, totally autistic post on precisely this subject. It's fascinating to me.
That said, you absolutely should get a Delahaye and post a shedload of steering wheel shots.
Dayum! Just looked that up. That is crazy.
Awesome storytelling and an awesome watch. My Friday just got better.
Ha! Thank you, sir!
I have a GS Spring Drive, and a Hi-Beat, in a 62GS case, and that blobby Elegance Collection GMT case. I have a Citizen Chronomaster, so I'm not above quartz. I'm now eyeing GS quartz as a budget way to get into a GS44 case, and movement completionism (well, I suppose I should also get a 9SA5 and a 9RA2, but I'm not made of money).
And just cause I like to show off The Citizen at every opportunity:
Awesome Citizen!
You might consider this 9F SBGP001 - it's got the cool time-difference function with the crown in position, which enables jumping hours for time zone changes.
I know, right? Next I'm gonna post this kind of wrist shot:
I just threw up a little in my mouth...😜
another piece for the gs goat. cheers.
That was an epic tale. Awesome watch. Quartz rocks!!! 🤘🏽🤘🏽
How people with a SBGV238 look at people who don't own one:
How people with a SBGV238 look at people who don't own one:
Ha! Nah, I think in order to truly disdain others to that level, you gotta be wearing one of these:
You can totally see Michael Sheen in that outfit, rocking this watch!!!
Oh, Holy of Holies, the rapturous voice from the Heavens beckons us to its Pearly Gates and presents the vision you have bequeathed. For this day is given to us the Grand Seiko Quartz! And it will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God-Tier, Everlasting Seiko!
…the everlasting Father, the King of King (Seikos). Ha!
Dude... I like their music as much as any guy, but The Magical Mystery Tour??? Half the s&^% they did towards the latter half of the band's existence was just total cringe!!! I mean, they were completely baked 143% of the time, and when you're that high, EVERY idea you have sounds to your own ears like the greatest idea ever.
Fair point - example: the unreleased "What's The New Mary Jane" from the White Album sessions - Lennon's drug ode to marijuana.
However, Abbey Road - the actual last album recorded by the Beatles is considered by many to be the pinnacle of their craft and songwriting.
Personally, it's Revolver for me with Abbey Road second, and a highly edited White Album in third.
I always wanted to meet Omeganut, as I thought he was a cool guy, but now I'm just afraid of him.... let's review the facts.
I am thinking this "friend" might be hard to contact today, as he is....
<camera zooms in quickly like a bad 70's moved for dramatic effect>
DEAD!
Oh, and it's a bit offensive... my wife, and me!
Cool story bro and nice Seiko? So I like, have like a watch that runs on lithium ion....kinda can make it look like you know whatever....so yeah. In fact I'm going to like charge it and find a shiny gold watch face to display on it. So totally cool with like what I got.
Fair point - example: the unreleased "What's The New Mary Jane" from the White Album sessions - Lennon's drug ode to marijuana.
However, Abbey Road - the actual last album recorded by the Beatles is considered by many to be the pinnacle of their craft and songwriting.
Personally, it's Revolver for me with Abbey Road second, and a highly edited White Album in third.
Okay, yes, you are correct. Funny, but Abbey Road is my absolute favorite of all their albums. Maybe the key to genius art is to break convention? And, that's going to be hit or miss? Like, some breaking of convention is going to be brilliant. Others... like this:
Oh, and it's a bit offensive... my wife, and me!
It's good to see that there are many of us on WatchCrunch who fit into the "WTF is she doing with that guy?" mold!
Reminds me of this....
Great thread, great watch, great humor, great everything. As an unabashed fan of the unjustly un-talked about 9F, allow me this:
Rock on!
Reminds me of this....
You know, sort of off topic, but the entire "literary Brat Pack" thing from the 80's... sooooooo off-putting. Bret Easton Ellis, Jay McInerny, etc., etc. They were all a bunch of rich, prep school kids who went on to pursue careers in literary fiction, and chose to portray everyone in New York City as drug-addled, soul-less monsters. In truth,
Ellis created Patrick Bateman, and made him a status obsessed investment banker... and, yet, ultimately, he was just projecting onto Patrick Bateman all of his own insecurities and precarious social position. I mean, here's this dude living in New York City, making NOTHING as a writer, surrounded by all his classmates who are doing really well and successfully building careers for themselves at these prestigious banks! Of course he's gonna fabricate a Patrick Bateman and make him a "psycho"!
It's what David Brooks calls "status-income disequilibrium":
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Status%E2%80%93income_disequilibrium