Horological Meandering

Echi
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The last watch you'll ever buy...

I was going through a personal finance article via Zite yesterday.  It dealt mainly with what ones financial priorities should be depending on the age bracket.  So as you might expect, priorities were laid out for folks in their 30s, 40s and 50s.

Most of us have lists of watches that we want to buy if and when not really taking into account the fact that life does tick away and we'll probably never get ticking off that list (well, it doesn't help that the damn list changes all the time with every new SIHH offering).

So there I was reading the 40s and 50s advice, raising eyebrows on some and smiling on others when it struck me.  What if it was time for me to take stock of things, change course or slow down.  What would be my last watch?  Hahaha!!!  Yes, my friends, a watch nut will probably think of these things.  Most would think about house, travel, car, inheritance, health, etc... but I'm not sure that a whole lot would think about watches!

Boy, I tell you, it was a tough thought process to go through... the what-first-watch-should-i-buy posts are a walk in the park compared to this question.

It is loosely related to those epitaph questions (What would you have chiseled on your tombstone or how would you like to be remembered).

Well, it was tough as I said.

But I'd like to go out on my own terms, if possible, and I'd like to have a watch that represents having lived.  Something that says, yeah, I'm cool with the decisions that i've made, right or wrong.  More importantly, it would be that watch with that message that you can pass off to a loved one.

People retiring think of getting something reliable with aesthetics that will stand the test of time.  People think maybe Rolex or Patek.  Not bad choices and I have thought about those reasons myself.  But then that's also like having vegetables for dessert.

Some would probably go straight to the top and wish for that 3-bridges wonder from GP or a chiming marvel from UN. Not bad choices but for most of us here, it ain't really going to happen. We may not have time to ride out that waiting list, eh?

Well, I setlled on two pieces, and of course, still subject to change, as I don't plan on croaking anytime soon.

Realistically, something along the lines of a JLC Reverso Rouge. The dial color says it all for me with a carefree passion that is missing in my very sober assortment of tick-tocs. My white dial Milgauss falls a bit short in that while the orange indices might hint of an adventurer wanting to come out, the overall aesthetic is still safe and, well, might be too sporty to be honest. The Reverso Rouge ticks all the boxes right down to accessibility... and, unlike my Rolex, it's light on the wrist and, most importantly, marks my life as that of a gentleman even though I was probably a cad for the most part :p

If I can dream a bit, well, a minute repeater would be nice. I'd make an exception to the passion bit just because, hell, who doesn't want one??? Those pieces from KIH Ken's recent small gtg with soundfiles were awesome. ALthough a UN hourstriker might do it for me.

Wondering of you folks ever thought about the last watch.

Curious.  Thanks for letting me ramble on.

Echi