The Watch Battery That Changed My Life (True Story!!)

I was a young jewelry salesman, fresh off the floor and eager to prove myself. I'd traded in my jeweler's apron for a sharp suit and tie, convinced I'd finally made it to the big leagues. Little did I know, my time spent sweeping floors and tinkering with watches in the back workshop would be the key to a life-changing moment.

One slow afternoon, I was polishing a display case (already sparkling clean, of course) when an older gentleman walked in. He was dressed in worn farm clothes, a hat older than me perched on his head.

"Young man," he drawled, "can you fix this old watch? It stopped tickin', and I need to know when to feed the cows."

I jumped at the chance to show off my customer service skills. "Absolutely, sir! Come on back, have a seat, and I'll take a look."

He smiled, eyeing my fancy digs. "Nah, I'll just stand here. My boots are filthy, wouldn't want to mess up your fancy carpet."

I laughed. "Don't worry about it, sir. Before I was gracing the sales floor, my job was cleaning it. Trust me, whatever you get on there, I can handle."

We chuckled, and as I fixed his watch, we chatted about his life. He was from Arkansas, now living in California, with thousands of acres of prime farmland in both states. Of course, I didn't know that then. He was unassuming, a man of simple pleasures.

Just as I was finishing up, he turned and said, "Speaking of simple, my golden anniversary's coming up next month. Been married for 50 years. Do you happen to have any golden diamonds?"

I blinked. "A yellow diamond, you mean?"

"Sure, why not?" he grinned.

"Well, sir, we don't have any in stock right now, but I can talk to my manager and see if we can get one in for you."

He smiled, pulling out a plain white business card. "When you do, call me at this number. And make it a big one, at least 5 carats. She likes rocks."

I was new to the high-end diamond game, oblivious to the rarity and cost of such a stone. "Yes sir! I'll call you the minute we have one."

He left, and I raced to my manager's office. "Sir, a customer wants a 5-carat yellow diamond for his anniversary! Can we get one?"

My boss, a third-generation jeweler with a poker face honed over years of deals, paused, then scribbled a name and number on a note. "Call them. Tell them exactly what you're looking for."

He went back to work, leaving me holding the note like a golden ticket. I made the call, and a few days later, the Brinks truck arrived with the most magnificent yellow diamond I'd ever seen.

When I saw the price tag, my jaw hit the floor. This diamond was worth almost $150,000! I must have made a mistake. But I'd come too far to back out now.

With a pounding heart, I called the gentleman. He agreed to come in that afternoon. This time, he was dressed to the nines, a sharp suit and polished shoes that probably cost more than my car.

We laughed as I nervously showed him the diamond. He examined it for minutes, then simply asked, "Young man, is this a good diamond?"

"Yes sir," I stammered. "One of the rarest you'll find. A vivid, fancy yellow."

He smiled. "Perfect for a golden anniversary, wouldn't you say?"

"Absolutely, sir!"

"Then I'll take it."

My throat went dry. I hadn't even mentioned the price! "Well, sir," I mumbled, "this diamond costs..."

He stopped me with a raised hand. "How do you want the money?"

Stuttering, I excused myself and ran to my boss. "Remember the yellow diamond guy? He's here, and he wants it! How do we take the money?"

My boss, usually unflappable, blinked in surprise. "How much is it?"

"$149,323," I blurted.

He took off his glasses, sat down, stood up again, then walked calmly over to my customer, and after a warm exchange, the deal was sealed. My boss returned to my office, beaming. "Congratulations, son! You just landed the biggest sale of your career, and made a loyal customer for life."

That night, we celebrated at the country club. I was no longer just a rookie; I was a seasoned pro, the watch battery whisperer who sold a six-figure diamond.

The farmer, Mr. Horn as I came to know him, became a regular. He appreciated my honesty and genuine care, and I learned more about life and business from him than from any textbook. He commissioned custom pieces for his family, each imbued with a story waiting to be told.

Years later, I realized the true value of that watch battery sale. It wasn't just about the money, though that had given me a head start. It was about the connection, the trust, the chance to be a part of someone's story. And that, I knew, was a priceless treasure.

So, the next time you see a young face eager to prove themselves, remember the watch battery salesman. Sometimes, the greatest opportunities are hidden in the most unexpected places, waiting to be unearthed with a little hard work, a touch of kindness, and maybe, just maybe, the knowledge of how to change a watch battery.