I DON'T LOVE IT, but ... it's more than that. It's a shared story. It is a gift from my EX. I threw out everything related to her. You have to embrace yourself and go on. At the thought of throwing out "Mudman", my hand trembled. Maybe it was the only gift from her that was hit ... I decided - I'll give him a chance. I needed time for myself. Time to recharge the battery and discharge any negative emotions. As for the watch, it's clear: you can do it - you stay. You can't - you are history. I joined my old team - we went to Bieszczady for a week. No trails, no people - backpack, tent and crew. Rain for three days, mud in my teeth, cold at night. Cordura could not cope, the goretex survived, but only the top shelf. For such escapades, either pro or disposable equipment is taken. It's good that the team was well-coordinated - instead of whining, there was full support. Mudman gave advice these days. It should have a built-in penknife and storage for the tinder box. The temperature measurements were accurate, but devastating - the night / day amplitude was quite high for this time of year. The next 4 days - heat from heaven. At this temperature and humidity, the forest was like a jungle, we walked through thick thickets at times, we tried to hold onto the streams. We climbed trees several times to get our bearings. The compass on the watch did not lie, which was worse for our plant - it led us well to the next point of the route. Some, if they could, would pat him appreciatively on the shoulder - he saved us half a day wandering through the woods with an old military map. Glass on the envelope - despite a dozen or so daily passes through the thicket and countless baths in streams - without a single scratch. Different with my hands and hands. A friend of the forest ranger (the only refrigerator with cold beer in the forest) glanced at my hand and the dirty Mudman, "good thing," he said. I casually said "we'll see again." I went to my parents for a few days. We went hunting with my father - a hunter, to spend some time together. He noticed his watch immediately, but said nothing. The moon was just before full moon, and determining its exact phase has never been a problem for us. Out of sheer defiance, I checked the accuracy of the watch. He gave the correct phase of the moon. The calm illumination of the shield brought back pleasant memories from the Bieszczady Mountains, my father was looking over his shoulder at the illuminated shield with a bit of curiosity. Although I know the hunting area like my own pocket, it was nice to come back to the night (this time not in the open air) with an illuminated compass. I set the alarm half an hour before dawn - the alarm sounded earlier than it should have been, but that wasn't Mudman's fault. Strong coffee from a thermos flask, forest slowly coming to life, the smell of dew. Perfect conditions. My father, looking at his watch after a moment of reflection, "I wish I had coffee. Is it expensive?". I felt the jealousy of a man who spares no money for his hobbies and is able to appreciate good quality. I liked the recognition in his voice a bit. When Mudman works, it will be a good gift idea for a senior. I returned to myself, the next day the team was gathering to view photos from the Bieszczady Mountains. I don't know why, but I also wore it to a club meeting. Maybe it suits me subconsciously, or maybe it just looks good both in the wild with technical camo and in the city, with everyday jeans and polo shirts. We started a slide show, a presentation using several cameras, recalling funny but also some dramatic situations. Successful photos, successful trip. In the pictures, I looked better. Then it was time to celebrate. A few toasts necessarily - for reliable equipment - including Mudman, new copies of which I noticed in two companions on their hands. I straightened up with a slight sense of pride. The next morning greeted me with a slight buzzing of my head and a hazy awareness of a few hours last night. I know where I have been and I know with whom. The wallet is there, the phones are. Damn, where's the watch? Sober thinking turned on. Where's the watch? I leapt to my feet - bathroom, hall, balcony - he is nowhere to be found. Linen, under the bed, in shoes, in pants - no trace. It's not a baby! I started to get irritated. This was not how it was supposed to end. The first daily alarm (of several possible) set for 07:00 - I can't hear it. Was Mudman lost this time? Did not survive the trial of the urban jungle? Or maybe someone stole it from me? I had mixed emotions. On the one hand, there was a clear arrangement between us and Mudman apparently did not survive it. No matter why - I must have hooked it somewhere and it fell, though - a flexible belt that had survived the thickets and thickets would not cope with urban plastics and wood sticks? I could not believe. On the other hand - I was accompanied by a strange emptiness - I was surprised that I would feel the lack of it so much. I looked sadly at the pale mark where the watch was on my tanned wrist. I got used to Mudman, I started to like him in a way, and beyond any doubt - he was useful. He had a few easier and harder trials, including - he helped my team orientate themselves in the forest and reach their destination, which made him almost a friend or colleague. And the fact that it looks good on the hand was confirmed by the women's part of yesterday's meeting. What more could you ask for from a watch? And now I can't find him. All because of a stupid "test". I was angry with myself. Cholera. We have to go further. Get a grip. Maybe there is something I forgot about something. The phone ripped - Tom is calling with an excited voice, "Listen, you were right with this watch. At 15 meters, it works, no function goes out, numbers and signs are visible under water. It's better than I expected. I'll take him back in the evening." Now I remember. Quarrel with Tomek about whether Mudman will work in diving. He was not with us in the Bieszczady Mountains, so he listened without conviction about its usefulness in the field. And I bet he could do the dive on his fire exercise on the lake. I don't even remember what, I was calm about the result - and I borrowed ... and - as I expected - he did it. I remember now. I just don't remember what was the subject of the bet. But we won. Okay, I have to admit. I'm glad to get it back. Maybe I like him a little. The watch works everywhere - my buddies envied the watch, and even a few bought this model after their return from the Bieszczady Mountains, the girls look with a twinkle in their eyes and curiosity, as if there was an adventure behind it. It looks good on a man's hand, whether with jeans and a T-shirt, a backpack and trappers, or with short crossfit shorts. I wonder if it will survive the 3-year warranty and what it will look like. Kaśka bought an additional guarantee for it - up to 6 years. I knew that the G-Shock are durable, but so ... I will be careful with him from now on, although in the end it is the most survival watch I have had, it puts the competition far away. Maybe I'll call Kaśka - she deserves thanks for such a good gift. Maybe it's worth talking to her? Give up a new test? I must admit - the girl has good taste. I'll call you. Right after Tom brings my Mudman ...