Mom’s father gifted her an exquisite Rolex watch. It’s truly breathtaking, completely lined in diamonds with an original Rolex movement. She made an incredibly expensive mistake after only having it a few years. She took it to a jeweler who replaced the movement and returned it to her with an imitation.
At a glance, it was the same watch. But while the casing and facade of the watch were beyond impressive, the real worth was in the movement. She’d picked it up from the jeweler and taken it home before recognizing the counterfeit. In hopes for some integrity and a settlement, she returned to the jeweler’s store and he was gone. Out of business, gone. He’d hit the jackpot and was in the wind.
I still have the watch. It’s a stunner. But its value is significantly reduced because of what was supplanted inside it. Aside from the obvious analogy of ‘it’s what’s on the inside that counts’ there are deeper lessons in the Rolex.
This particular watchmaker has been dedicated to the science of horology for over 100 years. They’re in the long game. Purchasing a Rolex is actually an investment. There are only a small handful of watch brands that appreciate over time and these guys are at the helm.
Plenty of factors support the status of Rolex, but here are a couple impressive facts: Many parts of the manufacturing process are done by hand, the entire process taking about a year. The movement is declared to keep accurate time for several lifetimes. The steel they use far surpasses the luxury industry standard - not only stronger than most steels used in watches but also much less corrosive and totally water resistant.
My watch was made in a week, won’t last 24 hours without needing a charge, and I certainly won’t be taking it snorkeling.
Morals of the story:
Finer things involve a human element.
When you find something of significant value, play the long game.
Frequently remind yourself where worth lies.
If you treasure it, be careful who handles it.
It’s the movement that matters.
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