I really can "feel" your history with this story and that's quite some personal story, so thanks for sharing it with us.
Guess the fact that the wicked step mother threw it at you through dislike of the 1133b, shows she had too little taste in the finer things - apart from your dad of course ;-)

I have to say i remember my days with the Scalextric, using and abusing my older brothers BRG E Type Jag! Happy carefree days indeed.

Of course OTD has made all our habits worse...of course i mean better!

For me it was a very recent conversion, i really loved watches, but never had the spare money to justify one and knew nothing of vintage watches 2 years ago, it was my wifes engagement present of a TH Monza and the research that ensued (i research everything, including the role of future wife ;-)) that led me to vintage Heuers and Monacos in particular...

Cheers

Rich

: What got me started? Memories of my youth where life was
: troublesome and easy. In those days my father- wo was an
: architect- bought an Autavia 3646 with dauphine hands. You can
: find it on the photo gallery as I took it over 15 years ago.
: Early 1972 he bought a Monaco 1133B and put the Autavia to rest
: for a while. He allowed me to use it to time laps with my mini
: racing track (Scalextric, Faller)! I was 12 then. Those were the
: days.

: At a later stage we got asstranged ( not sure whether this is the
: correct wording) as my parents got divorced and my mum was left
: alone in a bad financial state. My dad got a relation with a
: woman who was the archetype of a "mean
: woman".Especially to us children who without doubt were
: biassed To cut a long story short, when my father deceased 10
: years ago, she had managed to convince the notary to have his
: will changed and have it signed while he was not clear in his
: head anymore. She got it all, we were left with nothing. Not
: that it was much, but still ,all the memories!! The only thing
: she threw in my face ( literally) was the 1133b."Take that
: ugly srap". I will never forget that( better not tell
: what's it worth now!)

: That's what got me started. I had it restored and started getting
: interested in Heuer. Now I have watches, boxes, adverts, Steve
: Mcqueen memorabilia, the works ( my dad was a great fan of
: Steve). I love it everyday. Also thanks to OTD of course.
: Without that, I am not sure how intesnive the hobby might have
: been. Already 10 years now!

: Hope I did not bore you with the story.

: Ron