A gift to my father-in-law…gone wrong!
About 35 years ago, during the Bubble in Japan, my father-in-law bought a Rolex Datejust in steel:
It’s obvious that he treated his watch like it was meant to be treated: like a tool watch to be worn daily. And he wore the absolute socks off of it. The steel has deep scratches and the crown actually has a chunk missing - I’m fairly sure that the screw down crown was the only reason the whole crown didn’t snap off from such an impact. Not a desk worker, but someone who works with his hands using many tools 🧰 to install and inspect building fire safety equipment. He is still not done working at 75 years of age. Each dent, chip and scratch no doubt earned with hard work and sweat. However he wore his Datejust less and less as the rise of the mobile phone utterly negated the need for watches. It fell victim to the drawer of obsolescence and barely saw daylight for a decade.
I had seen it before but I was a “normie” back then. It barely even registered. But oh how things have changed. The new watch geek in me now can’t bear for such treasure to be left, banished in the relic bin. It would be criminal for him to not wear it. I wanted to share my rekindled passion for watches with him. As I recently discovered how a strap change can completely transform the look of a watch - I picked up the gauntlet and I was to help his Datejust reclaim his wrist and reunite my Dad with an old friend with a new look.
I poured over watch sites looking for Datejust straps for a week. I studied leather like I was going to take an exam for different hides and leather quality. I virtually handpicked the cow and what part of its hide I wanted (exaggeration of course). I clicked and waited until this morning.
The time had come for the time telling machine to make a return. I scrubbed the literal shit out of every nook and cranny of that watch! Whoever designed the machine- turned bezel must have been an utter bastard. It took me hours to get some shine back. Same with the bracelet - even though I was changing it out - it deserved better. The back of the watch still had the green Rolex sticker on it - half rotted away and completely fused to the metal. Another hour.
Losing sunlight but finally clean, I changed the jingly bracelet to this beautiful strap.
It matched my mind’s eye perfectly. I love it. I mean really love it. From old and retro to classy and would it be a stretch to say contemporary? Anyhow, a new look for an old watch and I think it looks marvelous! High fives all round.
Finally, I presented it to him.
He didn’t like it. Not even a little bit.
The end.
At least I can use the 20mm straps on my Murph right??? Laugh or cry! I’m grabbing a beer and going to reflect on my hubris. Cheers! 🍻
Teacher trainer but always the student. Lost in the world of mechanical watches. Working towards the dream piece of a Grand Seiko GMT.
Yeah, that's Dad's for you. Bought mine (82 years old) a used Aqua Terra quartz. He wore it for a few months then decided it was too posh and he wanted to sell it.... needless to say I ended up buying it from him for myself. So I bought it twice 😂 ( tho admittedly at a reduced price ).
Dad's - you can't beat 'em 👍🏻
Thank you for sharing that- genuinely made me feel a little better! 🍻
It’s the thought that counts! I’m sure you could construct at least 3 proverbs out of that story.
You did a great job on the watch,I'd just wear it and enjoy it
Just leave the straps with your father in law and see what happens.
Japanese guys at that age were raised not to express his feelings positive or negative. He might have been happy inside him but just can’t show it.
Of course it is possible he really didn’t like it. But worth trying.
2 cents from a guy raised by a Japanese father😉
That is fantastic looking watch! I love the engine-turned bezel. Hopefully your dad will come around to appreciate it again!
That is fantastic looking watch! I love the engine-turned bezel. Hopefully your dad will come around to appreciate it again!
Was it the strap your dad didn’t like? Or has he just fallen out with the watch itself?
Great watch, great story, great son … dads will be dads 😂🤙❤️
It is gorgeous (unlike your father in law)😜.
It’s the thought that counts! I’m sure you could construct at least 3 proverbs out of that story.
Absolutely right! Still a pity that I couldn’t rekindle the watch fire in his heart! 🔥
You did a great job on the watch,I'd just wear it and enjoy it
Thanks for saying. I honestly think it looks great. Shame it’s not mine to wear…I might put an offer on it…😅
Wait…isn’t that the perfect scenario?
He doesn’t like it. He doesn’t wear it.
You love it. You take it.
Easy 😜
Just leave the straps with your father in law and see what happens.
Japanese guys at that age were raised not to express his feelings positive or negative. He might have been happy inside him but just can’t show it.
Of course it is possible he really didn’t like it. But worth trying.
2 cents from a guy raised by a Japanese father😉
He is definitely not a man of words, you got that right. Unfortunately after over a decade living next door, I can read his expressions and micro gestures- this was a giant miss. I do understand though, you can have things that you recognize with a particular silhouette and it’s hard to break that wall. May be it’ll grow on him…more likely I bought myself a gorgeous new strap! 😅
Was it the strap your dad didn’t like? Or has he just fallen out with the watch itself?
Thank you for the comments! He’s made his peace with not wearing watches and the strap did sod all to change that. Might have even disturbed his fond memories of it! 😭
Great watch, great story, great son … dads will be dads 😂🤙❤️
Very kind of you to say! I think I’ll go with good food for Father’s Day next month. I need to bounce back with something tried and trusted! 😂
What a great story! Dads. My Dad has been wearing the same gold junker quartz dime store piece since the 70’s so my brother and I just purchased this Hamilton khaki field from Joma at a great price for upcoming Father’s Day. He is an engineer so we thought he would really did the mechanical aspect and the exhibition caseback. It is a beautiful watch. My guess is that he’ll wear it for a week and get tired of winding it. And then it will be mine!
What a great story, thanks for sharing.
With Rolex I am sorry to say, it is all about the bracelet. Clean up the bracelet and try again, he may change his mind.
I can totally relate to this because my Dad is another Rolex abuser. But wait, a Rolex can actually take the abuse. My father destroyed a Breitling Navitimer, Heuer Autavia & Several Seiko Chronographs mechanical and quartz before getting his sub in 2003. The average life expectancy of his watches is 5-6 years on average. His Rolex has lasted 20 with only one overhaul somewhere in the mid life span.
Great story!!
BUT
I have to disagree with this statement.
"as the rise of the mobile phone utterly negated the need for watches"
Funny thing is, that the gift was intended for exactly that. I just couldn’t wait! … to be rejected it turns out! 😂
Guess you bought yourself a Fathers Day present.
Great story, brother. Now you should keep it and wear it proudly, like god intended.
You’re right. I wrote “the end” but perhaps there will be a new beginning at some point! 🍀☺️
If it was your Dad, loves it. Hugs and kisses you. Tells everyone About it, friends, neighbors, bartender, etc.
Father in law just gives it back
I’m sure your wife loved the thought and all the hard work you put into it…
Family dynamics. 😂
Do you watch the tv show Succession, watch the pilot episode?
Christmas Vacation- when Clark finally get his lights on the house lit.
Father in laws - tough crowd and hard to please. 😞
In-laws right? Where dreams turn to nightmares? 😂To be fair, mine are quite kind…and brutally honest!
What a great story! Dads. My Dad has been wearing the same gold junker quartz dime store piece since the 70’s so my brother and I just purchased this Hamilton khaki field from Joma at a great price for upcoming Father’s Day. He is an engineer so we thought he would really did the mechanical aspect and the exhibition caseback. It is a beautiful watch. My guess is that he’ll wear it for a week and get tired of winding it. And then it will be mine!
Beautiful choice! Sounds like you have a win win situation there! 😉
What a great story, thanks for sharing.
With Rolex I am sorry to say, it is all about the bracelet. Clean up the bracelet and try again, he may change his mind.
I can totally relate to this because my Dad is another Rolex abuser. But wait, a Rolex can actually take the abuse. My father destroyed a Breitling Navitimer, Heuer Autavia & Several Seiko Chronographs mechanical and quartz before getting his sub in 2003. The average life expectancy of his watches is 5-6 years on average. His Rolex has lasted 20 with only one overhaul somewhere in the mid life span.
I can completely understand when the pairing of two things can be so iconic that anything else seems wrong. After all the effort, it’s a shame that’s all!
Also completely agree about the toughness of Rolexes. This Datejust “takes a lickin’ but keeps on tickin’”!
Great story!!
BUT
I have to disagree with this statement.
"as the rise of the mobile phone utterly negated the need for watches"
Considering where I posted this story, I knew the statement to be untrue…guilty your honour! 😋
Great story. Not that I have to tell you this but your heart was definitely in the right place, for your dad and the watch! Beautiful watch, btw.
Great story. Not that I have to tell you this but your heart was definitely in the right place, for your dad and the watch! Beautiful watch, btw.
Thanks mate! I did honesty try my best! Can’t win them all!😌
I did almost the same to my own dad. Got him a really nice leather strap....Nahh he liked the weirdly patterned velcro strap, I could smell from 3 feet away, better.
Of cause I then went through the commander in chief (my mum) ....now he's wearing leather.
this is such a great story (and ending!) 😂 Thank you for sharing.
I’d start wearing it myself , or sell on the DL so someone else can enjoy their grail watch! You were so right in trying, but experiments don’t always produce the expected result and you learn something, here learning dad in law is definitely in the muffle camp !
Yeah this is why I don’t do anything for anyone anymore lol.