INCOMING for April fools day, what did you decide to wear?

Apr 01, 2021,02:29 AM
 

And happily this is not an April fool's joke πŸ˜‰πŸ˜œ.

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 πŸ€£πŸ€·β€β™‚οΈπŸ€¦β€β™‚οΈ.

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 🀣.

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 πŸ€”

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 πŸ˜‰πŸ˜

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 πŸ’ͺπŸ˜‰.

Enough with the gibby gabba, the COMET is back home πŸ‘πŸ™Œ. Jesse J is a fan as well 😺









And of course, it is Yokozuna approved πŸ‘πŸ‘Œ




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Thanks Justin for sharing this personal journey !

 
 By: GLau : April 1st, 2021-02:42
Very touching story and glad that your wife was able to provide wise comments to you. This β€œnaughty” comet is indeed special and is well received by your cat πŸˆβ€β¬› as it seems relaxed around this watch. BTW, the dial color matches the cat’s fur πŸ‘ ... 

Thank you for charing a deeply personal story.

 
 By: lm6 : April 1st, 2021-02:57
A fantastic PP you have there! I chose one I often wear at the office: the UJ. ...  

Congrats Justin on (re-)acquiring a terrific Patek -- and thanks for sharing this beautiful, personal story, which I read with lots of interest! ;-)

 
 By: FabR : April 1st, 2021-03:46
To add a lighter note, I like the words your wife used to reassure you, by reminding you that "nothing is forever"! ;-)) I sincerely hope you can enjoy a long and beautiful journey with this special Nautilus on your wrist! Cheers.

πŸ˜‰πŸ™πŸ‘

 
 By: holdemchamp1225 : April 11th, 2021-08:58

Sounds like a great lady Justin...

 
 By: myles721 : April 1st, 2021-04:03
I was already married and living on Lexington and 27th and my wife had just started a new job working in Brooklyn on the waterfront. From her office she could see bodies falling from the buildings...one of them turned out to be one of our best friends tha...  

Very touching Justin - thanks for sharing

 
 By: Chronometer (aka yacomino) : April 1st, 2021-06:18
Reminds me also of a stressful day back on this 9/11 incident as my Dad had a meeting at 9am that day at the World Trade Center towers. The meeting got canceled as he got to the building in the limo so he was on his way back to the airport when everything...  

Thank you Syl2!

 
 By: Chronometer (aka yacomino) : April 1st, 2021-12:01

Thanks my friend!

 
 By: Chronometer (aka yacomino) : April 1st, 2021-12:01

Yup, totally! Enjoy your long week-end Justin!

 
 By: Chronometer (aka yacomino) : April 1st, 2021-16:09

πŸ˜‰πŸ‘πŸ™πŸ˜

 
 By: holdemchamp1225 : April 6th, 2021-10:46

+1!

 
 By: amanico : April 2nd, 2021-06:38

What? distractions? :)))

 
 By: amanico : April 17th, 2021-00:28

One or several? :)

 
 By: amanico : April 17th, 2021-10:33

Hints, please!

 
 By: amanico : April 17th, 2021-10:42

Soon? :)))

 
 By: amanico : April 18th, 2021-14:23

Sir, I salute you!

 
 By: Jurry : April 1st, 2021-07:41
And your wife because of the story is touching heartwarming and inspirational

Thanks for a great, inspirational read, Justin!

 
 By: Ivan5 : April 1st, 2021-08:23
And congrats for scoring a great watch with " a personal past provenance". One doesn't see those around anymore. Enjoy!

Many thanks Ivan πŸ˜πŸ™

 
 By: holdemchamp1225 : April 2nd, 2021-03:21

You did well my friend to pull the trigger

 
 By: Mike H : April 1st, 2021-10:11
Your wife is wise and smart, a very good adviser! You will enjoy it my friend, wear it in the best of your health

Thanks πŸ™ for sharing your story champ πŸ† that is the first Patek I ever bought...

 
 By: oyster case : April 1st, 2021-11:16
today I’m wearing my LV which is forever attached to a significant personal loss, that of my father. I was wearing it at the moment of his passing and for years could not bring myself to wear it again. It’s still very emotional for me to wear but it is no...  

What a story!

 
 By: patrick_y : April 1st, 2021-15:25
And a fitting reminder of a watch! Thank you for sharing your spouse's thoughtful words.

Fascinating story!

 
 By: Tchela1 : April 1st, 2021-20:06
Thank you for sharing the road you traveled and how you ended up with this beauty. You deserve it! So does Jesse J! Congrats! -Tim

Great choice!

 
 By: JBB : April 1st, 2021-22:57
I bought the 3710 at around the same time. I saw something in it that I liked. Suffice it to say, we were in the minority in the early 2000s as I got a substantial discount on it back then. Been wearing it ever since, and history has judged our original d... 

Great to hear and agreed πŸ‘

 
 By: holdemchamp1225 : April 16th, 2021-15:39

I never thought a watch can be connected this way but time will heal almost everything...

 
 By: Clueless_Collector : April 2nd, 2021-07:39
Or at least dilute the effects of an event...This Nautilus came at the right time, another awesome incoming. Congratulations Justin,

Yes Raymond. Sometimes we relate to these pieces for the history or events they represent to us when worn. This was a very sad moment for me so I could not get past it back hen hence I had to move on...

 
 By: holdemchamp1225 : April 16th, 2021-16:02
You are right that time does heal or ease the pain. Hopefully I will be able to enjoy this wonderful piece more the 2nd time around. We will see πŸ€·β€β™‚οΈ

Very touching, my dear Justin.

 
 By: ChristianDK : April 6th, 2021-14:08
I think you made a great decision. Hope to see it one day.