If you haven’t talked to her already, get her input. Unless this is just pocket money for you, it probably is safer for you to forgo the surprise on a significant purchase and get her something she really wants (maybe a handbag or jewelry) especially if your statement that she is not really a watch person is serious.

When faced with a similar situation, I told my wife I wanted to get her a nice watch (plant the seed) BUT that if she wanted a designer bag or jewelry, I wanted her to be happy. We went together to look and turns out, she has no interest in Rolexes but loved Cartier.

I was starting to worry about budget when she was looking at Cartier jewelry but imagine my surprise when she picked the white Medium Santos. She loves it and wears it all the time (which gives me great joy) and I theoretically have another watch in my collection (if she will let me wear it (so far, not), that is).

Good luck!

Interesting article. Glass half full for the inability to get Rolexes at retail. Getting my grail Speedy got me into the hobby so I immediately got myself on the list for a Pepsi and started looking at other Rolexes. If they were available, I’m sure I would have experienced the Diderot effect in full and picked up a Rolex or 2 and moved upstream and ruined my retirement savings.

Because they weren’t, I bought a Seiko or 2, some Micros, Bulova, etc. to scratch the itch and keep the powder dry for when “I get the call” (5+ years in and no call). Funny thing is, like many of us, I enjoy the Seikos, Micros and others just as much and realized I enjoy all watches, not just the expensive ones or hype pieces so no Rolexes or better and more watches and travel.

Nodus because they make great watches and they’re local (to me). Plus the founders have a real passion for watches, regulate their movements, have quick release and on the fly adjust bracelets, and are happy to meet in person. Got my eye on the new Contrails.

I love on the fly adjusting clasps even though I don’t need to adjust mine every day because the few days my wrist swells for whatever reason (and it’s usually while I’m outdoors), it is great to be able to quickly adjust the bracelet and keep going instead of the old days when I would take the watch off and hand it to someone to hold because it had gotten too tight.

What I would appreciate more than on the fly adjustment is quick release bracrlets. The two watches I have with quick release bracelets (Nodus and Bullova) are the only ones in my collection that get any real time on the bracelet. After scratching the lugs in an aborted attempt to get the bracelet back on my Speedy, my dream now is to find a decent quick release bracelet for my Speedy. Lots of after market bracelets but none are quick release. 😭

If you’re going to Nakano Broadway, try Fire Kids on the first floor. They have a pretty well curated collection (I.e. not overwhelmed with choices) and almost all they have are vintage watches.

If you are going by subway, Nakano Broadway isnot hard to find. Check a guide to see which exit to get out of (I can’t remember) but once you go outside, it’s basically go straight accross the street and go straight ibto the covered shopping alley/ corridor (big covered alley like many in Tokyo) and Nakano Broadway is at the end (multi story building) with a ton of shops inside. Have fun and good luck.

Great watch and really cool shirt (something else to look for). Between your post and the one yesterday with the Great White (SRPD21), I really want a Turtle now (but I just picked up 2 Seikos last week so will probably have to wait).

Great watch. Love the strap too! Now I’m looking for a rally strap for mine too.