The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Like our good friend Altair my time on this great forum has been limited recently due to family issues.

At 2am on the 13th November I recieved a call on my mobile phone with caller id "Mum". I immediately knew this couldn't be good. It transpired that my Dad had fallen the full length of their stairs and had hit the door frame at the bottom with his head. Initial prognosis was not good. We were told that his chances of survival were minimal. He did not respond to any tests. He was placed in a coma. Two days later there were small signs of cognitive response. He was then rushed to another hospital 50 miles away. We spent ten days travelling there with my Mum. Finally, he started to show some appropriate responses to tests. He then got a very bad chest infection from the life support tubes down his throat. Jump forward four weeks and he is over the worst of the infection, he recognises us all and took his first few steps at the end of last week.

We were finally told that his life is not in jeopardy due to his brain and infection. His brain is severly damaged (the specialist'own words). He is like a toddler in his behaviour. But he is still here, still fighting and we all still love him dearly.

Going through something like this is life changing. You don't know how you do it but you get through it and you maintain strength for your family. I had a kind of epiphany. I have learnt: You can never under estimate the strength of family and friends. Don't put anything off if you don't have to. Life is both too short and incredibly vulnerable. Our bodies are incredibly complex and very fragile. Always look after yourself: My Dad only got htid far because of his high level of fitness. And never ever try and negotiate the stairs at night without the light on.

This personal anecdote is at once an explanation for my lack of time here recently (I also had to go to work, organise my Mum and two Sisters and go to regular meetings at the hospital as well as visiting) and moving into the future (my Dad will be in rehabilitation for at least three months) and also to introduce my latest horological aquisition:

I had always admired this watch from the catalogue and on-line images. It seemed to include all of the favourite elements of one of my favourite marques. When I got to try it on an AD about three months ago I was instantly smitten and added it to my "must have" list in the future. The only hurdle: £12100 with minimal discount.

I received a call a couple of weeks ago saying I could buy the watch for very nearly 20% off (unheard of with this brand) because they were getting another one for next year. This wasn't an advertised sale and only a few people had been contacted privately about it. I instantly put some watches up for sale and thought "if the worst happens with my Dad I'll put it in my safe until I can feel passionate about such things again". I also found out from three different trusted sources that this brand were having a price increase ealry in the new year and this watch would go up accordingly.

Happily, my watches sold and, so much more importantly, my Dad has reached a point in his recovery that we never thought we'd see and where we can relax a little.

The AD, which is 80 miles away, hand delivered the watch to me on Sunday when they heard of my situation with my Dad.

A full review will follow of this incredible time machine soon where I shall extol the myriad of virtues that make the PAM 275 my favourite, acheivable sports watch of all time.

BTW, I showed it to my Dad the other day. He put his thumb up, got hold of one of his bed sheets and gently polished the glass for me. He obviously remembers the OCD I have that means I was always cleaning my watches.

If you have got this far thank you for reading through this traumatic story which has, thankfully and miraculously, got a happy ending.

Here are a few quick and very dirty pictures of my 275 with in-house 8-day, monopulsante column wheel chronograph, GMT, hand wound movement.

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Forum Representative for Andrew Michaels Jewellers, UK

Please visit my Watch Blog at http://www.AndrewMichaels.co.uk

******Our new Pre-owned watch site www.amjwatches.co.uk is now live*****

great watch and even better to read about your love for your father, hope he will continue to recover and enjoy his children for years to come, my best wishes !

Thank You Fred.

That truly means a lot.

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Forum Representative for Andrew Michaels Jewellers, UK

Please visit my Watch Blog at http://www.AndrewMichaels.co.uk

******Our new Pre-owned watch site www.amjwatches.co.uk is now live*****

Ricardo,
What a postmy friend.
May I wish your Dad a speedy and full recovery, from what has been an awful ordeal for both himself an you. As you say, life is extremely precarious and we all tend to take our loved ones, family and friends for granted.

Whatsmore, although any time of the year is worriyingly enough to have to deal with this sort of tradegy, being Christmas is so much harder.

I genuinely wish you, your Dad and your family the very best for the New Year mate.

Keep strong, keep supportive and keep throwing punches.

God bless buddy and have a lovely Christmas.

By the way, the watch is a beauty !

Oscar.

Rick,

It's not often that I can't think of the right words, but I'm struggling here. So sorry to hear about your dad, but at the same time so happy to hear that things are so much better than you feared and that the road to recovery is underway. I can't imagine what you and your family had to go through, and good luck to all with the rehabilitation and recuperation.

The watch - it's very nice, but forgive me for saying, totally irrelevant in the greater picture. Enjoy the process of it gaining more relevance as your father strengthens.

Sir, i wish the best for your father and i'm happy to read his recovery is going in the right direction.

All the best for you and your family during the holidays through that difficult time.

And this is a an incredible timepiece by the way.

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Mat

Breitling Navitimer 01
Omega Seamaster 300mc
Omega Speedmaster Pro "Mitsukoshi Mod"
Seiko Prospek Orange Samurai

Wow, that's quite a story. I'm very happy to hear things are looking brighter for your father. It's unfortunate that it takes this kind of event for us as humans to take a step back and realize what's really important in life. I wish your father a speedy recovery. Enjoy the 275; it's a unique piece, as I can't say I've seen many wearing PAM chronos.

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Chronomat 01- Sierra Silver/Steel
Navitimer 01- Limited Edition #1337/2000

It was many, many years ago I received one of those dreaded 2am phone calls. The heart pounds and the throat closes. “This isn’t happening, I’m dreaming.” To say it takes ahold of and changes your life does not adequately express the impact.

That your Dad is able to recognize and interact is just marvelous news. Surely a long period of reconstruction lies ahead, but the brain is an amazing thing and in so many cases can be retrained for speech, mobility, and cognition.

Forgive me if I am presumptuous, but I suspect this Christmas will be an immensely special one, the memories of which will long enrich your family lore.

God bless and keep you and all your family and close friends.

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SHARKMAN

Ricardo, I can not say how happy I am that your Dad is on the road to recovery. I lost my Dad about 7 years ago and miss him dearly, fortunately it was not a long drawn out affair and was over rather quickly. I can relate and totally agree with the epiphany you mentioned. I wish you and your family a blessed Christmas and wish your Dad a speedy full recovery.

On a lighter note, congrats on managing to acquire one of your long lusted for grails through all of this. I am sure it will make the acquisition that much more special to you in the years to come. Wear it in good health.

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Ricardo,

I'm so sorry to hear about this hardship and also very glad to hear that your father is on the road to recovery. My father was in the ICU for over a month before passing away and I know just the feeling you describe while trying to go about your daily business with the knowledge that a loved one is in peril.

It's at times like these that you truly realize the meaning of friends, family and loved ones.

As for the watch, congratulations and here's hoping it becomes a symbol of triumph in the near future.

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“The only reason for time is so that everything doesn't happen at once.” - Albert Einstein

I shed a tear at this bit! all the best with the new watch matey. I wish you and your family all the best in the future

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Pain is only weakness leaving the body.

Wow Rick, what a horrible rollercoaster for you and your family.

I too have some understanding of your situation as my dad had a heart attack three years ago, was on the mend in hospital and days from being released when suddenly one afternoon his heart just stopped..... and no-one noticed. One of the doctors brought him back after 25 mins of CPR, but he was in a coma for over a week and as no-one knew how long he'd been there with his heart stopped no-one knew if he'd sustained brain damage. As it turns out when he came round he was miraculously absolutely fine except for not remembering the last few days before it happened, but it was still a couple of the most traumatic weeks of our family's lives. My heart goes out to you on this one.

I'm so happy for you that your father is on the mend, and I wish him a full and speedy recovery. I can speak from experience that Christmas will be extra special for you, knowing how it could've been.

Like Roff said, beautiful watch, but completely irrelevant compared to the joy of a loved one pulling through having stared death in the face.

All the best to you, your father and your family.

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Driver8

Site Moderator

+1. Truly wish your Dad, your family and your good self a happy Christmas and happy new year.

Heres to a speedy recovery for your Dad.

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Breanach78

A Few Breitlings.

Rick,

Please accept all of my best wishes for you and your family. I too have had one of those 2am calls before, and they are truly terrifying to say the least.
Very, very glad things are on the way up.

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Breitling navitimer super constellation LE
Omega Ploprof 1200m
Bremont supermarine
Rolex milgauss GV
Olivant and Botsford 40mm Gold edition

Thank You so much everyone for your kind thoughts. I'm a little overwhelmed.

I am deeply grateful to those that have sympathised and my best wishes go to those that have empathised.

I've just been to visiting hours tonight and my Dad was very lively (trying to get out of bed) and very chatty, although not what you would call any kind of conversation.

It is at once heart wrenching to see him in this condition and also incredibly heart lifting to see him fight. One day at time.

@Roff and Mr Driver. I appreciate announcing a watch at this time does seem a little crass but I honestly couldn't have bought this watch until I heard the words "there is nothing wrong with your father that is a threat to his life". I now think "you only live once" also my Wife said that my Dad would hate it if I didn't carry on enjoying my one passion because of him. He truly did seem to take genuine pleasure from seeing my new watch.

Once again, I cannot thank you all enough for your words of wisdom and support.

Merry Christmas

Rick.

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Forum Representative for Andrew Michaels Jewellers, UK

Please visit my Watch Blog at http://www.AndrewMichaels.co.uk

******Our new Pre-owned watch site www.amjwatches.co.uk is now live*****