The Rolex Yacht-Master 116621 was the first Rolex on this ongoing journey of time, through time. The ups and downs, good and bad memories shared with the watch have made this bittersweet voyage of life most captivating.

Whether you like it or not, donning a Rolex in the office will get you noticed. There is no hiding from the stereotypes bundled with a two-tone Rolex, though most of the stigma might be self-imposed. It got to a point where the pleasure of looking at the watch slowly melted away. The fluorescent lights cast a lime hue over lifeless faces and limbs, which offered no help in brightening up the mood either. Checking the time sank into a chore. Something was wrong.

The self-certified therapist in me suggested a holiday, with the Rolex, of course. It took nothing short of a flight bound for the middle of the Indian Ocean to evade an impending burnout. Landing on a pristine stretch of sand bathed in turquoise lagoons was invigorating. On a typical island day, massive doses of vitamin D, an unlimited supply of fresh ocean breeze, and Pina Coladas prescribed three times daily turned out to be the perfect remedy. The slowly darkening Maldivian tan was a welcomed side effect to compliment the chocolate dial gleaming under the tropical sun. When the day was nearly over, rosy accents framed by resplendent contours paired remarkably well with sparkling champagne glasses and intoxicating sunsets over the Indian Ocean. Therapy was in full swing on island time, and so was my serum ethanol level.

Coming back anew from the Maldivian respite helped me see the Rolex Yacht-Master 116621 in a new light. As its name suggests, this is a watch that belongs to the open seas. It fell ill trapped in stagnant air conditioning and under artificial lights, which made it put on a jaundiced tinge over the ailing metalwork. It is a watch that begs to thrive under brilliant skies out in the sun, where its golden accents bloom with a rosy lustre. It yearns for ocean waves to wash over its glistening crystal while the tropical dial beams through with excitement.

The Rolex Yacht-Master 116621 has barely aged despite its adventures over the years. Rolex is one of the lesser-known pioneers of metallurgy and material science. To the casual observer, the proprietary Rolesor case has retained most of its original glamour since it left the factory. It is only upon closer inspection that scuffs and scars begin to narrate a story of a life well lived. Draw near to hear the time-tested Cal 3135 beating true to its adventurous roots since 1988. Graceful yet unpretentious, alluring yet enduring, sophisticated yet lively is what makes the YM40 thrive in its habitat among the waves.

How we view and feel about an object often depends on the circumstances that cross our path in life at a certain point in time. With time, the good, bad, and ugly eventually become water under the bridge. Nevertheless, that bridge can still bring tears, smiles, or laughter to those who cross.