The Watches My Father Gave Me: A Bond Measured in Time

Some watches are special not because of their monetary value, but because of the stories they carry. This is the story of the watches my father has given me over the years, and the deep connection we’ve built through them.

Let’s Start with My Dad

Like in many families, my dad was my first real hero. From a young age, we shared our love for soccer. I have many memories of going to his matches and later spending hours playing any sport that involved a racket.

He’s always been a self-made man—hardworking and driven. We always had more than we could ever ask for, but more importantly, we had unconditionally someone we could count on. That’s the kind of presence that leaves a mark.

He’s also a true car enthusiast, and maybe that’s why one of his favorite watch brands has always been TAG Heuer. While he shares his passion for cars more closely with my brother, I was never far from it—engines roaring in the background, weekend drives, and endless car conversations around the house. Over time, I learned to drive (not nearly as well as he does) and slowly began to understand that passion. It’s a lot like what many of us feel about watches—an appreciation for design, mechanics, and emotion, all in motion.

The Olympics Swatch

Let’s go back to my school days. I was never the top student—classes bored me, and all I wanted was to get out and play soccer.

In 2004, during the Athens Olympics, Swatch released a collection of Olympic-themed watches. One in particular stood out to me, in bright orange—my favorite color at that time. I wanted it badly.

My dad, knowing how much I liked watches, and also knowing that I need challenges to go further, told me that if I placed first in our school’s open class contest, he’d give it to me. I remember that journey so clearly. I wasn’t at the top of the class, probably ranked 7th or 8th. But something clicked. In one of the final rounds, my classmates couldn’t answer a question—and I could. I jumped to first place. My father was right, he knew I was a kid that  needed to be pushed up to the next level.

I’ll never forget turning to the crowd, seeing my dad, and knowing we were both thinking the same thing: the Athens 2004 Swatch.

The Formula 1 Dream

When I was 17, the most desired watch for kids born in the ’90s was the TAG Heuer Formula 1. It was the watch—bold, sporty, and tied to the world of racing.

That Christmas, my dad gave me the white-dial Formula 1—and gave my brother the same model with a red dial, which was the same that he bought for himself with the difference that his was the chronograph model. I can’t explain the joy of that moment. It wasn’t just about the watch—it was about the excitement, the surprise, and the connection we shared all in that moment.

I wore that watch with pride, to school, to events, even just around the house. It became part of my identity, and every time I looked at it, I thought about my dad, my brother and that Christmas morning. That was the beginning of my love for TAG Heuer—and the start of a deeper appreciation for the stories a watch can carry through time.

A Graduation and a Carrera

Over the years, I continued collecting watches, slowly building a small collection of my own.

Then came my university graduation. I probably gave my parents a few headaches—I changed majors and took longer than expected to finish—but I made it.

I was at home when my dad called me into his room. My mom was there, too. That’s when they gave me a TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph. If the Formula 1 was the first step, this was the upgrade—the next level. A serious watch, named after the iconic Carrera Panamericana.

I knew that finishing school didn’t mean things were settling down—it meant the real world was about to begin. That phase where you start to figure out who you are, what you want to do, and how to stand on your own. That’s why this watch felt special—it was going to be with me through the challenges that were just around the corner.

One day, I’ll share the story of the watch I bought to celebrate the birth of my son. Let’s just say it also has "Heuer" and "Carrera" in the name. It’s a different model than the one my dad gave me, but somehow, it felt like the right choice. We all know that this was not a coincidence.

Full Circle: A Shared Passion

Some watches have also gone the other way—from my wrist to his. It’s part of how we’ve shared this passion over the years.

Watches have come and gone, moving between us, but this love for watches has always been something we’ve enjoyed together. And every time either of us wears a piece that reminds us of a shared moment, we think of each other.

I hope to continue this tradition with my son, because at the end, watches are more than machines. They’re memories—measured in seconds, powered by love, and worn with pride.

Bonus picture of another special watch my dad gave me.