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Original poster

What to do with the watch?

42 replies

WatchWatch · 21/01/2021 08:27

Name changed as if DH stumbles across this I don't want him linking to my other posts. Totally first world non-problem (so keep on scrolling if that's going to bother you).

DH is kind, thoughtful and considerate. He spends ages choosing my presents and they are really thoughtful and considered, but 99% of the time totally off the mark. At Christmas he bought me a watch. It's a lovely watch, but so totally not me. It has an intricate and delicate metal chain strap so the watch face doesn't stay in a fixed spot on your arm and is more like a bracelet - I HATE bracelets, they irritate the fuck out of me, I never wear them. I even hate those paper ones you get at events and stuff, they just drive me nuts!

I did want a watch for Christmas, just bog standard, leather strap type. I'd have been happy with an Olivia Burton or similar. Instead, he spent 3 times as much on one I hate.

I just don't know what to do with it. DH knows I don't like it - he's disappointed (fair enough, he put lots of effort in to it). But it is too late to return. I've already contacted the company and asked if the do other styles of strap for the face, but they don't and the attachment of the chain to the casing means you can't just switch it out.

I just don't know what to do? Bin it? Send it to the charity shop? Seems a bit silly, but I absolutely will not wear it, and I loathe clutter and never keep things I'm not using regularly (my wedding dress went to the charity shop as soon as we returned from honeymoon).

I don't like the idea of regifting it and to sell it seems grabby.

Any suggestions as to what to do with it? And how to prevent a similar issue in the future - there have been many incidents like this now.

OP posts:

Clymene · 21/01/2021 08:32

Will they not swap it at all? What a ridiculous waste of money.

Do you send him links of styles you like?

Flaunch · 21/01/2021 08:33

Sell it and use the money to buy one you do like.

Original poster

WatchWatch · 21/01/2021 08:35

@Clymene

Will they not swap it at all? What a ridiculous waste of money.

Do you send him links of styles you like?

Yes I do?

No, they won't exchange it, I did ask. Such a shame as there are lots I do like from the company.

OP posts:

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Clothing

Original poster

WatchWatch · 21/01/2021 08:35

Rough '?' there!

OP posts:

Original poster

WatchWatch · 21/01/2021 08:36

@Flaunch

Sell it and use the money to buy one you do like.

Yes, I suppose I could. Where do you sell second hand watches? Ebay I guess? Does anyone still use ebay?

OP posts:

Flaunch · 21/01/2021 08:40

eBay, Shpock, market place... loads of places.

Seeingadistance · 21/01/2021 09:06

I don’t understand how his gifts can be thoughtful and considered, but 99% of the time not anything you’d like.

That sounds like he really doesn’t know you at all, and I would find that upsetting.

My ex used to buy me expensive presents which were totally not me. One of them was a very expensive designer watch, which I would never have chosen and wouldn’t wear. I was very much not into designer labels or bling, and that watch was both. The message to me was that he neither knew nor cared about what I liked.

Original poster

WatchWatch · 21/01/2021 09:13

That sounds like he really doesn’t know you at all, and I would find that upsetting.

I do find it a bit upsetting to be honest. I'm upset that he clearly doesn't know my taste and upset that I don't like something he has chosen so carefully for me.

It isn't a designer label (he knows I don't those) and it is extremely well considered as a gift for me - ethical, sustainable product from a company with a good employee rights history, green credentials and plastic free. All very me. The face is beautiful as is the casing. It's just the strap!

OP posts:

hauntedvagina · 21/01/2021 09:16

If you're happy with the watch face, could you not take it to a jeweller to see if they could make some adjustments to make it fit a standard watch strap?

user1493494961 · 21/01/2021 09:17

I would sell the watch and buy something you like, although I doubt the amount you receive will be anything like the amount he paid.

ShirleyPhallus · 21/01/2021 09:19

@hauntedvagina

If you're happy with the watch face, could you not take it to a jeweller to see if they could make some adjustments to make it fit a standard watch strap?

Yes I’d do this

How come the company won’t accept the return though?

Original poster

WatchWatch · 21/01/2021 09:25

How come the company won’t accept the return though?

It's a European company and they only have a 24 day return window, which by Christmas was already too late.

I've sent photos to a jewellers (as not open because of lockdown) and it would cost almost as much as a new watch to get the fixings changed, with no guarantee it would work. It's because the back of the watch casing is integrated in to the stap, so would need a new back.

OP posts:

hauntedvagina · 21/01/2021 09:29

I think we need to see the watch.

Clymene · 21/01/2021 09:32

Yes I think all you can do is sell it and use the money you get to buy a watch you do like. And make it clear to him that when you send him links to things you like, you want one of those things, not something that's similar.

There is nothing really ethical about spending money on things you don't want

WhenTwoBecomeThree · 21/01/2021 09:37

Is there no way of reducing the size of the strap so it doesn't twist around your wrist and so it fits more snug? DP once got me a necklace that was way too long (it was the style so couldn't get a short one) and we took it to a jewellers to get the chain shortened

sashh · 21/01/2021 09:40

Have a look at the specialist watch sellers, you might be able to part exchange it.

Consider an independent jeweler and ask what they can do to put a strap on it. It might involve quite a bit of work but could probably be done.

Frauhubert · 21/01/2021 09:46

Sell it on ebay. I put all my nice but not anymore needed stuff on ebay. Just take good photos. I sold a few watches that i got as gifts (but completely not my style- like michael kors, thomas sabo, guess). You won’t get loads, but if it’s a nice watch someone will buy it.

Original poster

WatchWatch · 21/01/2021 09:47

@WhenTwoBecomeThree

Yes, it cant be loose or tight, but if it is tight it is uncomfortable on my wrist as the chain is thin so digs in. It has to be very tight to stop the face moving round due to the weight of it.

OP posts:

squishee · 21/01/2021 09:50

Ooh is it a Holzkern?

Can you get the strap shortened? Sounds like it's just too long.

We do need pictures!

Original poster

WatchWatch · 21/01/2021 09:51

@squishee

Ooh is it a Holzkern?

Can you get the strap shortened? Sounds like it's just too long.

We do need pictures!

Ooh well done. Yes it is. It's beautiful and in theory so me. Except for the strap!

OP posts:

SWnewstart · 21/01/2021 09:55

Can we see the actual watch please OP.

VenusEnvy · 21/01/2021 09:59

How about a strap like this?

squishee · 21/01/2021 10:03

Yesss!
Ha, I drool over Holzkern watches.

That universal watch strap is clever!

Magissa · 21/01/2021 10:03

Is it the Hurry? It is beautiful! I'm sure there must be a way to get a leather strap made. Have a search on Etsy.

Original poster

WatchWatch · 21/01/2021 10:12

You guys are giving me hope!

Its the loud. The way the metal loops are fixed to the watch make it hard to attach a new strap but I think it may be possible to get a custom one made.

OP posts:

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