I wanted to get my wife something really nice for our fourth wedding anniversary last January 13.
By really nice I mean it's something that she really wants, rather than something I'd assume she likes or will eventually like. Before, I was notorious for giving gifts that were only approximations of what she really would have wanted, and if you consider how we've been dating for ten years before we got married, that's a terrible track record!
So I did some investigative work and was able to decide how I could probably buy her a nice wrist watch as an anniversary gift. As far as ladies fashion goes, I figured that a nice watch is probably right about in the same category as bags and shoes, items women by default can never own too much of.
I discreetly found out straight from Cathy that the brand and models that she really likes were Tag Heuers. I was impressed at how my inconspicuous investigative work was able to narrow down not only the item but the brand name as well.
My anniversary budget came from some secretly stashed leave conversion cash I earned from last year. It wasn't a large amount of money but I was somewhat confident that it would be more than sufficient to fund my purchase.
When I got to the watch store in the mall, I was astonished by how much a ladies timepiece would set someone back today! For the brand I was looking for, the most expensive ones would cost somewhere close to 90 thousand pesos, while the cheapest ones were around half that price, and I didn't even like how the least expensive ones look! I had to pick my jaw from the floor and actually hold it in place while I window shopped around.
There were a lot of other watches available that looked equally nice that weren't as absurdly expensive. But aside from Cathy already having other watches in her possession, they weren't the brand that she wanted. Extremely disappointed, I had to go back to my scratch pad to review my other investigation notes.
I actually felt a little embarrassed at how naïve I was. I understand quality of materials, craftsmanship and all that stuff, but I personally think a watch that goes beyond 5 to 10 thousand pesos is outrageously expensive.
Ok, so I own a Citizen Eco Drive Diver's Watch which I got on sale for 6 thousand pesos about five years ago. I was taking up scuba lessons at that time and I figured it was an investment. I justified the purchase by rationalizing how I have never really owned a quality watch in my entire life and the fact that I could tell time even at 200 meters below sea level was worth shelling out the cash. There were fancier models, but the one I bought does basically the same thing--- it tells you what time it is.
I probably still live in that world where provided that a wrist watch doesn't look hideously unfashionable, it should only serve one primary purpose, and that is to be able to tell time. Unless you are a government spy, anything beyond a simple calendar feature in your wristwatch is just overkill.
I know of some people who own expensive watches. They admit that they purposely take them off when commuting in fear that it might be snatched or be forcibly stolen from them. Now, unless my timepiece is a gift I don't think I need that sort of stress just to be able to say I own a so and so watch. I want to be able to tell time while at the same time be at peace knowing I can do so anytime and anywhere I please.
What's worse than having your expensive watch stolen is actually losing or misplacing it. If you've had your watch stolen you would probably suffer some trauma from the experience, but at least you'd have someone else to blame. If you lose your expensive watch on your own, that's something you just have to live with. If heaven forbid I lose my watch right now, it would definitely suck because of the sentimental value it has accumulated, but I'd just probably save up and buy another one. And it doesn't have to be water proof no more, since I rarely hit the water lately anyway.
To end my short story, I actually told Cathy I wanted to buy her the watch she mentioned to me. I figured it should earn me some consolation husband points for trying. Anyway we did both have a nice laugh at how I realized my price expectation was still set for the year 1995.
Since I still wanted her to have something she liked, I openly asked her what she wanted to have as an anniversary present. After brining up my bad gift giving track record I was able to convince her into suggesting an item. She said she wanted a nice shoulder bag. I asked her what kind. She gave me a brand name. I asked how much do they cost. She gave me a rough estimate of the market price.
Somehow I was able to restrain my self from making any unnecessary comments after hearing the price; anyway it was more affordable than the timepiece I initially shot for and I am sure she feels the exact same way at how electric guitars are priced.
I love my wife. I consider the day we got married as the happiest moment of my life. As long as I am able, there is no price tag on her happiness. Seeing her smile is worth more than any expensive ladies watch, or in this case, a trendy small shoulder bag that has a tiny alligator logo on its side.
