Step-monsters and pocket watches

So I need to start this post off by acknowledging that there are MANY kind, loving and wonderful people out there who are step-parents. In these cases, to be clear, the title is a misnomer. They treat their "step-children" like their own. They are supportive and caring - pretty much everything that you would want and hope for from a parent.  So for all of your "SUPER STEP-PARENTS" out there - keep on keeping on, and this story is not about you!

Because somewhere between the wicked step-mother in Snow White, and her polar opposite Mike and Carol Brady (for you non-US/non atomic-aged readers out there, google "The Brady Bunch" Television show for more details) is where most step parents are.  For my part, my sisters and I got a bit of a lemon.  Without putting you to sleep with the details, the short form is:  Great Grandfather's pocket watch promised to - well me of course!  Father makes this clear, Step-Mother is aware, father "strokes out" suddenly, leaving entire estate to Step-Mother.  Step-Mother becomes incommunicado, and refuses to part with the watch - i.e. I will not be seeing that watch in this lifetime.

So a pocket watch took on a nearly talismanic quality to me.  It began to really gnaw away at me, creeping into my waking thoughts on an increasingly daily basis.  This was really made clear to me on my last visit to BaselWorld and my stay in Lucerne.  Walking past (what I believe) is the Bucherer flagship store.

For many folks out there, Bucherer is the Tiffany of Switzerland.  A place where family heirlooms are purchased, engraved,  and brought for future servicing, etc.  It has a certain constancy to it, lending a very solid feeling.  Having met the current CEO Sascha Moeri at the SWISS Watch show in Las Vegas this past June, I can say that this feeling is alive and well.  Both Mr. Moeri and his predecessor Thomas Morf have been truly dedicated stewards of the Bucherer tradition.

So to me it seemed only logical, that perhaps it was time to start a new family tradition for the Henkis, and Bucherer seemed the right watch to find.  And thanks to my friend in Cyprus - Andreas S. Gregoriades, this beautifully simple Bucherer pocket watch will now mark time for me and later for one of my nephews or nieces.


So for all of you step-parents out there - if you're half-assing it, do a better job.  And for you step-children, try to be understanding and patient.  Not to get all spiritual on you this early in the day, but  keep in mind that nothing lasts forever - be it a person, or a watch.  We are all passing through time.  Just try to make the most of it.