Hopefully a very long incoming
Hopefully a very long incoming
I know you’ve clicked on this thread to read about a watch. But I want to start with telling you about my dad.
He was born in post war Liverpool in not the best part of town. He was the last of 6 children and came about 15 years behind his next youngest brother. His mother was in ill health for most of his childhood and he was brought up by committee. He was passed round aunts, uncles, family friends as well as his older siblings who all acted has his surrogate parents and guardians.
He left school with no qualifications but worked hard to provide for his young family. Often going without himself so we could have the best start in life. He managed to put my sister and I through university and (in my opinion) did a first rate job of raising us.
He’s had it tough these last few years having lost my mother about 8 years ago and beating cancer after having one of his kidneys removed. However he turns 75 this week and I wanted to treat him to something special to say thank you for all he has done for me. If his older brothers are anything to go by, has a good 20+ years ahead of him to enjoy his birthday present.
So today I told him I was taking him shopping to buy him a birthday present and he was eyeing up a nice shirt from Marks and Spencer. Instead I took him round the watch shops in Leeds and treated him to this.
I wore my El Primero for the occasion which was bought with legacy money from my mum. I’m sure she was with us in spirit today and I hope he enjoys wearing this for many years to come.
Happy Birthday Dad and thanks for everything.
He was born in post war Liverpool in not the best part of town. He was the last of 6 children and came about 15 years behind his next youngest brother. His mother was in ill health for most of his childhood and he was brought up by committee. He was passed round aunts, uncles, family friends as well as his older siblings who all acted has his surrogate parents and guardians.
He left school with no qualifications but worked hard to provide for his young family. Often going without himself so we could have the best start in life. He managed to put my sister and I through university and (in my opinion) did a first rate job of raising us.
He’s had it tough these last few years having lost my mother about 8 years ago and beating cancer after having one of his kidneys removed. However he turns 75 this week and I wanted to treat him to something special to say thank you for all he has done for me. If his older brothers are anything to go by, has a good 20+ years ahead of him to enjoy his birthday present.
So today I told him I was taking him shopping to buy him a birthday present and he was eyeing up a nice shirt from Marks and Spencer. Instead I took him round the watch shops in Leeds and treated him to this.
I wore my El Primero for the occasion which was bought with legacy money from my mum. I’m sure she was with us in spirit today and I hope he enjoys wearing this for many years to come.
Happy Birthday Dad and thanks for everything.
Iain’s Law: Any discussion on the Christopher Ward forum, irrespective of the thread title or subject matter, will eventually lead to someone mentioning the Bel Canto if the thread continues for long enough.
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Re: Hopefully a very long incoming
Eyes blurring and hairs on back of neck standing up! A beautiful watch and a fabulous present; it sounds as though your dad deserves every tick of that Portofino.
Well done, Iain. Post of the Year for me!
Well done, Iain. Post of the Year for me!
Steve
Linguist; retired teacher; pilgrim; apprentice travel writer
Take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints, kill nothing but time
Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexatious to the spirit. (Max Ehrmann)
Linguist; retired teacher; pilgrim; apprentice travel writer
Take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints, kill nothing but time
Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexatious to the spirit. (Max Ehrmann)
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Re: Hopefully a very long incoming
What a brilliant post and watch, Iain. For anyone who has a close and special bond with their dad (or anyone else) buying such gifts can be really special for buyer and receiver. Well done for that and I'm sure he'll really enjoy the watch and what it means
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Re: Hopefully a very long incoming
Lovely read, that. It is typically father buying for or handing down to their offspring; this time in reverse. I was also struck by how good your father's skin looks, he has the hand and wrist of someone forty years of age. I hope he has many years of bonding with that fine watch.
Des
Des
Does melancholy count as two of your five daily servings?
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Re: Hopefully a very long incoming
Fantastic story. It’s nice to see the normal watch passing from father-to-son reversed in this case. Thanks for sharing.
Drew
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Re: Hopefully a very long incoming
Touched my heart. Here's to a very long time for you both. Thanks.
Tom
Rule #1 - "Never pass up an opportunity to keep your mouth shut."
C3GWT, C13SWK, C5Aviator, C5 BoB, C4BBMF, W7BBMF, Pepsi GMT, Scooter Blue, C80, C65 LE, C7 COSC, C3 FLE
C65 AM GT LE
Rule #1 - "Never pass up an opportunity to keep your mouth shut."
C3GWT, C13SWK, C5Aviator, C5 BoB, C4BBMF, W7BBMF, Pepsi GMT, Scooter Blue, C80, C65 LE, C7 COSC, C3 FLE
C65 AM GT LE
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Re: Hopefully a very long incoming
Outstanding story Iain !!
Happy Birthday to your Dad, such a lovely thing for you to do for him.
Happy Birthday to your Dad, such a lovely thing for you to do for him.
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Re: Hopefully a very long incoming
What a lovely read.
Your both very lucky chaps, wishing you both good health and a Happy 75th to your Dad.
Regards Steve
Your both very lucky chaps, wishing you both good health and a Happy 75th to your Dad.
Regards Steve
Selling Tudor Pelagos 39
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Re: Hopefully a very long incoming
A touching story Iain and your Dad definitely did a first rate job bringing you up in the way he did.
He is surely as proud of you as you are of him.
Guy
Sent from my Xperia 5 using Tapatalk
He is surely as proud of you as you are of him.
Guy
Sent from my Xperia 5 using Tapatalk
In small proportions, we just beautie see:
And in short measures, life may perfect bee. - Ben Jonson (1572 – 1637)
Inscription on the Longitude Dial
Hatfield House, Hatfield, Hertfordshire AL9 5NB, England
And in short measures, life may perfect bee. - Ben Jonson (1572 – 1637)
Inscription on the Longitude Dial
Hatfield House, Hatfield, Hertfordshire AL9 5NB, England
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Re: Hopefully a very long incoming
All I could say has been said above. Great story and fantastic gift/watch. May you both wear your watches in good health.
Stephen
A few CWs and other brands
A few CWs and other brands
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Re: Hopefully a very long incoming
Bravo! Long life & happiness to you both.
"There is no beginning to enlightenment and no end to training" - Dogen Zenji (1200-1253)
Re: Hopefully a very long incoming
Well done mate, hope your dad has many more years to enjoy his watch
Re: Hopefully a very long incoming
Thank you for all the positive comments. I may have bought some nice watches in the past, but this purchase was far and away the most satisfying, no contest. His face when I told him I wanted to buy it for him will live with me forever.
He has let me try it on but I hope by the time I get my hands on it I can post in the vintage watch of the day thread. Well I can dream can’t I?
He has let me try it on but I hope by the time I get my hands on it I can post in the vintage watch of the day thread. Well I can dream can’t I?
Iain’s Law: Any discussion on the Christopher Ward forum, irrespective of the thread title or subject matter, will eventually lead to someone mentioning the Bel Canto if the thread continues for long enough.
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Re: Hopefully a very long incoming
Totally heartwarming post. Wear your watch in good health Iain’s dad!
watching you fail in your quest for a “one watch” has been great entertainment
Watchaholic
‘Imprudently spendy’
Thomcat00
Watchaholic
‘Imprudently spendy’
Thomcat00
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