Horological Meandering

My brother unexpectedly passed away after a massive heart attack. He was only 60, an ex-marine, and in what everyone thought was excellent health. We were obviously wrong. Everyone who knew him was shocked. I still have a hard time believing it. But enough time has now passed that I feel comfortable sharing this short watch story.

Deciding which watch he wanted had taken him a couple years of deep consideration. We discussed possible choices often since he knew of my love of watches. He was never a 'watch guy'. He wanted something he would consider special, but what?

One day, while riding a train into NYC, he saw an ad in the newspaper for this Breitling Galactic 41. It reminded him of a novel he read when he was young about a WW2 pilot. He remembered in the book the pilot wore a Breitling. I didn't have the heart to tell him he most likely would have been wearing a chronograph, it had already taken him years to decide on this watch. So his decision was made. I went with him to the AD and he left with this watch on his wrist. He was proud of his choice.

The watch has battle-scars from when my brother tripped playing golf, the bezel deeply marked from contact with the sidewalk. These marks upset him and he asked me if the bezel could be replaced. I convinced him it was now part of the watch's history and he should leave it be. He listened to my advice.

Now the watch is mine. My siblings -- three sisters and two other brothers -- thought I should have it, having heard him tell them how I helped him choose it. It's a watch I wouldn't have chosen for myself, but now it has a very special place in my collection and in my heart. I cherish it, and always will.

I hadn't meant to type all this, my original intention was to just post the photo with the watch and out of focus NYC skyline behind. But for whatever reason I felt the need to share this special story, a story of a very special watch and a very special person.

Emil

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