David_S
349
Interesting take
Apr 10, 2019,01:46 AM
Your post highlights two questions: have time changed that much and, I suppose, can we spoil our children while at the same time teaching them the value of money and things. My Bar Mitzvah was 30 years ago, so somewhat later than you, but still closer to it than my son's. It was a relatively small family event, if somewhat more extensive than what you are describing. I certainly think there is pressure in recent years to transform this event into something more akin to a wedding in terms of scale. While I think it's an important milestone for any kid, I have seen people go overboard both in terms of the event and the gifts/money received by the kid. I don't know if it is a function of the times or of my social environment, but it's certainly there.
As to spoiling them, I strongly believe you can mark a special occasion with a special gift. Kids, at least mine
, are smart enough to realise that getting a watch for a Bar Mitzvah is special indeed. You can still do that and give them a normal education elsewhere when it comes to the value of money. Indeed, both my sons have witnessed me collect watches over the years, going in some 20 years from entry pieces to the more high-end in recent years. They understand why I do it and respect that. I hope they will similarly find a passion (in horology or elsewhere) when they grow into adulthood. I have spent many hours trying to explain to them the difference between price and value and I think they understand the concept. Now, one could argue that there is little value in high-end watches, but that's another debate entirely.
It would be an interesting debate question for this forum: how to we collect high-end watches in front of our children while still trying to teach them about the value of things? Did your kids follow in your footsteps in appreciation of high-end horology?