Saying Goodbye

It’s time to say goodbye. As the poet Rose once said, “nothin’ lasts forever, and we both know hearts can change.” That watch you once lusted after, saved for, and finally bought has run its course. It’s time to let it go, as sad as that might seem. You no longer reach for it in the morning. You no longer post it to Instagram. It has been absent from recent meetups, making room for newer pieces. It just sits there, reminding you of who you used to be.

Once, you thought, this is it, I’ve found my one and only. A watch that represents me: my specific tastes and knowledge. It says, “I’m no casual watch fan,” but it isn’t flashy either. You’re an enthusiast, not a hype beast. This watch is for you, and those like you. A badge that says “I’m an insider.” You still like the watch and feel proud to own it, but you have to face the fact that you’ve outgrown it or changed altogether.

you know the time has come

You stop and think, “it’s not fair to the watch. A watch like this shouldn’t be collecting dust in a box or living its life in the darkness of a drawer.” You want to set it free. You say to yourself, “Hey, maybe there is someone who was just like me X years ago when I first bought it.” Younger, bright-eyed, still discovering who they are, horologically speaking. Maybe this watch can do for them what it did for you.

After all, it wasn’t easy to get. You spent time finding it, waiting for the right reference in the right condition to pop up. You had to vet the seller. You had to sit, sweating, with your finger over the “wire” button, knowing the risks. You pressed it, accepting that you might have just lost the money. And then, worst of all, you had to wait for it to arrive, knowing it was being subjected to the horrific abuses of transport. You did the work. You earned that watch.

bask in the memories

But, isn’t that a reason to keep it?! You start to vacillate on your decision. You know what’s right. You know it’s time to let go, but you do still like the watch, even if you aren’t wearing it. You have good memories of wearing it. Wouldn’t it be sad to never see it again? Like a childhood toy you vaguely remember, but knew you loved. If only you could find it. If only you could relive that joy. That innocent joy.

You recall that when it arrived, it was better than you expected. You had switched the strap to the one you had ordered while waiting for the watch to arrive. It’s perfect. It’s everything you wanted it to be. You wore it every day at first. You showed it off to that one person at work who pretends to care. Finally, you go to a meetup. The attaboys rolled in. You were the star for a night. Or, rather, your watch was. Maybe those days can return…

you and your watch were once on top of the world

No! You must move on. You have new watches that need your attention. It’s all a part of maturing as an enthusiast. It’s a rite of passage. Right? Sure, you might regret it. Not immediately, but sometime down the road. Maybe years or decades later, you’ll see someone wearing that watch on the street. The owner, young, spry, stylish, and blissfully unaware of your strife, enjoying it like you once did. The watch looks so good on their wrist. You think, “Did I do the right thing? Could I be that happy kid again?” But isn’t this how we learn? A life without regrets is a life not lived, or some such.

Ok, your mind is made up. There will be more watches, after all, and your collection is looking really good these days. You take some pics, write a blurb, mention that one ding on the bezel, box it up, and start the process of selling it…

take a ride, go for a stroll. the pain will fade

Days, weeks, months go by. No sale. A few lowball offers. How dare they! Don’t they know how hard this is! As you wait, you think, “Well, I might as well try it on once again. For old time’s sake.” You unbox it. You forgot how charming it was, how nice the patina looked. You wear it for a day. Fits like a glove… Okay, maybe you can keep it just a bit longer.

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