And happily this is not an April fool's joke ππ.
So it is a long story but I will try to be brief. It all started back in September of 2000. I wanted something cool for my incoming birthday and decided to purchase a 3710/1A which was my first dip into the Nautilus pond. I remember so clearly what others in the Patek circles were saying about the Nautilus back then and trust me, it was not the same view as what people think today π€£π€·ββοΈπ€¦ββοΈ.
I wore it proudly and did everything with it pretty much (golf, tennis, etc...). I don't really want to say it was a beater but more a dialy wearer that I beat to death π€£.
Anyways, I wore it often and probably more so then any or my other sports watches at the time. It went on for a year and then September 11, 2001 happened and that really changed everything for me !!
I remember that day so vividly and when I first heard about what happened. My ex called me and woke me up and told me to turn on the TV as well as my computer to see what was going on in NY. I was wearing this watch as I did not take it off when I feel asleep the night before. I sat back and watched the horror and what was to unfold during that terrible day.
I don't want to get too emotional but let's just say that day changed the course of my life and touched me deeper than most. I had friends and colleagues who were in NY during that horrific day. For most who do not know, I will only say I was in finance as mainly an investor / venture capitalist.
Fast forward a bit and I stopped wearing this watch all together. Another long story but a few friends accompanied me when I purchased this reference and wearing it then just brought me sadness. Eventually I gave it to a family member who still has it till this day.
I never thought about this reference until recently when a very nice and kind collector who I have known for years on the forums but never met was selling one. We spoke for a while about the past and the good old days long ago but I just could not pull the trigger due to my history with this reference. A few weeks went by and I spoke to my wife about what how I felt, something I never shared with her prior. She told me something that turned me around and I will forever remember why she is so special to me.
She said, "nothing in life is given or forever. If you did not go through that ordeal we probably would never have met and your life would be completely different than it is now. Don't let your past and bad memories tarnish your future or joy."
Needless to say, that hit me deep and it took me a few days to really appreciate and understand. Life is so precious that we sometimes take it for granted or become a bit blasΓ©, something I am guilty of for sure.
The past year in this pandemic has really changed all of us in good and bad ways but it also opened my eyes and reassured me that my decision to walk away many years ago in pursuit of happiness and joy was the correct one.
I called my friend and decided to purchase the watch. Honestly, receiving it this morning via FEDEX and putting it back on brought back so many memories I had let go in the past. This one really brings me full circle π€
Sorry for the long story but I really did try to be brief. I am so happy to add this reference back into my collection and this time, it is not going anywhere ππ
I truly think it is a special piece and does not get the recognition it deserves, especially when we compare it to it's younger brothers who have changed the dynamic of the Patek SS sports watch image and market.
Forgot to say thanks to A (you know who you are) for this special piece. It is really in pristine condition πͺπ.
Enough with the gibby gabba, the COMET is back home π‘π. Jesse J is a fan as well πΊ
And of course, it is Yokozuna approved ππ