Tissot PRX Carbon

Robert Nelson works at a hospital, but his connection with watches began long before that, when he was just sixteen.

“My Mom gave me a watch for my sixteenth birthday. It was a really expensive watch, this was the 1970’s, a $450 chronograph. It was a Rolex Daytona! I wore that thing every day for 14 years.”

That Daytona became part of his daily routine until one conversation changed everything.

“When I was about 30, I was working at our corporate wellness gym. The CEO came in and asked where I got that watch. He said it was worth $10k, and I did not know. I went home, took it off, put on my Timex Ironman. Haven’t worn my Daytona much since then.”

Watches have always been part of his family’s story.

“My dad had an Omega Seamaster from the 60s. My grandfather had a Ball railroad engineer.”

Even with that family history, Robert hadn’t been actively collecting until recently. “Because I did not feel comfortable wearing that watch, I was looking for something to wear. I’ve had a few different watches over the years and now have a modest collection.

Wolf Watch Club was fun. My daughter’s boyfriend is really into watches. It is fascinating how they can make something that is mechanical that runs forever.”

Before watches, Robert’s passion was running. “I ran in Moscow, Leningrad, Kiev, Odessa. Prague, Budapest, Sofia. I was not good enough to run in bigger meets, but it was a great experience .”

When Wolf Watch Club reached out, he was intrigued.

“I got an email from Wolf Watch Club. The odds are pretty good. My understanding is that part of the proceeds go to charity. Some of the watches have been ones that are hard to get.”

Then came the moment he least expected.

“I got an email saying I won. I was at work. I was still working, hahah. I was like really? Me? I have not won anything?! That’s fantastic! It is a cool watch.”

Since stepping away from running, Robert found a new passion.

“Since I stopped running, I started riding bicycles, carbon fiber bicycle and now the carbon fiber watch.”

When asked for his thoughts on the experience, he smiled.

“I have enjoyed playing. It’s been fun. They make the whole process fun. I had watched some of the drawings, the odds are better. It’s kind of a fun process. It’s exciting to be able to win a watch. I will keep playing. I do not even buy lottery tickets, no gambling whatsoever.”