The Watch that took 28 Years to find

Since eBay came to existence in 1995, I have been searching listings and chasing for a specific watch. It wasn't a fancy watch, but a cheap promotional item offered by McDonald's restaurants in the Philippines around 1988 or 1989. It was an item that I owned as a child and lost when my family moved to the US in 1990.

When the Internet became mainstream, I searched for this watch but couldn't find any online evidence it existed. I could find no photos of it. There were no articles or catalog information available about it. All I had was a fading memory of a funky watch that I used to own.

The search for the watch became a personal quest to find this elusive item and buy it back if possible. So for 28 years, I searched everywhere online to try to validate the existence of the watch. It was a journey I alone could do. There was no way for me to share my mental memory of the item I was looking for. Once, I attempted drawing the thing and it all looked like IDE hard drive cables to most techie people. To the non-techie, it resembled nothing familiar.

All things changed last month when I found the watch finally listed online by an antique shop in Kentucky of all places. When I saw the photos, I almost fell out of my chair. My quest was nearing its end. If I could buy the watch, I could mark an item off of my bucket list. So, I made my bid with an ungodly high number with a starting bid at 99 cents. I would have to wait until the next day to see if I had won.

I ended up winning the watch at $2. The shipping cost more than what I paid for the watch. It was a victory I cherished.

But the story doesn't end there.

When the watch arrived, my heart sank. The watch was dying. The passage of time had slowly ravaged the digital device. The cheap plastics parts of the watch was over 20 years old. Most of it had turned brittle. The rubber watch band felt oily at parts as it was decomposing. The painted logos were rubbing off. The plastic buckle had stress marks and cracks. My shiny fuzzy memories were facing the harsh reality that nothing lasts forever.

I consoled myself that at least I get to see and own the watch once more even if it clearly only for a short time. I may not be able to wear it, but I could now officially, after many years of searching, add the watch to my collection.

All in all, it's been one hell of a quest to find this thing. Everyday, I went to check eBay to see if I could find it. I scoured forums and even contacted McDonald's. Everyone said it didn't exist.

For now at least, I can finally validate that my memories were real and not at all made up from a feverish dream. The watch IS real and I was right. God damn it. It does exist and I now own it.

By the way, if any of you recognize this watch and if you know someone selling one, please let me know. I'd be most interested in getting another one, hopefully in better condition.