Gifting a watch

My dad recently helped me complete a project in my yard. During this time he noticed his watch stopped working. He had forgotten to take it off before we got to work. We’re pretty sure it’s a dead battery in his Bulova. He’s always been a one-watch guy and as long as I can remember he’s worn a Bulova that my Mom has gifted to him.

While we were working on the project I came up with the idea to gift my Laco Venedig Erbstuck to him. I planned on selling it, but I saw this as a great opportunity. Goes to show how fast a watch can change it’s status within a collection.

Last year I tried to give him my Longines Legend Diver, but when he found out how much it was worth he politely declined. He stated that he wears his watches too roughly to wear an expensive watch.

I knew I had to be more subtle in my approach this time. I told him he could borrow this watch until he can get his fixed. I proceeded to tell him that I rarely wear it because I feel it’s too big for my wrist and that I’ve had it for sale for several months. He then asked how much it’s worth to which I replied “Laco is an entry level watch brand” which I don’t believe is a lie. I know if I told him how much I paid for it that he would refuse to even borrow it.

I quickly diverted the discussion away from the value of the watch and explained to him some of the features that I appreciate about it. I led with the fact that it was manually aged by Laco to make it look like an antique so he doesn’t have to worry about damaging it. When I mentioned the brand name his ears perked because it’s pronounced the same as our last name (spelled differently). I also mentioned that it’s a German watch brand because we have German heritage. He’s always owned a quartz watch so I talked a little about how an automatic watch works.

He agreed to borrow it. It fits his wrist much better than mine. See photos for comparison.

I plan on letting him know he can keep it on his birthday next month. I really hope he accepts it. The irony would be the fact that Erbstuck translates to heirloom, yet I would be passing this up a generation.