Vault: Is an $800 Watch Too Much for a New Boyfriend?

Summary

---

The Bert Show: Vault — Is an $800 Watch Too Much for a New Boyfriend?

Date: May 29, 2026
Summary by Podcast Summarizer

---

Episode Overview

This episode tackles a classic relationship dilemma: Is it appropriate to gift a high-value item—specifically, an $800 watch—to a boyfriend after just four weeks of rekindled dating? Leanne, a listener, calls in to share her situation and consult the Bert Show team and listeners about whether giving such a gift is meaningful or potentially inappropriate given the newness of their relationship (despite having a year-long history together). The episode evolves into a lively group debate, blending practical advice, personal anecdotes, and a touch of humor as the hosts, callers, and Leanne herself weigh in on gifting etiquette, relationship pacing, and even gift-related superstitions.

---

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Setting the Scene: Leanne’s Dilemma ([02:03]–[04:41])

• Leanne’s Background:

  • Dated her boyfriend for about a year, broke up just before Christmas (and before she could gift him the watch).
  • Held onto the $800 watch, never using or returning it.
  • Recently rekindled the relationship; they've been back together for just four weeks.

• Central Question:

  • Is it appropriate to give him the expensive watch now, or would that send the wrong message so early in round two of their relationship?
  • Leanne worries about coming on too strong but also feels the gift is tailored to him.

The Hosts Weigh In ([04:41]–[05:30])

• Fresh Start Advice:

  • Host: “My knee jerk reaction is to reset the date on your relationship. So if you’re only seeing them for four weeks, then treat it like it’s a four week relationship, not that you have the year of history.” ([05:10])
  • The team agrees the gift may be premature given the official status of their relationship.

• Labels Matter:

  • Advisor: “Especially because it’s not at ‘boyfriend’ set. If she had said, ‘yeah, we’re boyfriend and girlfriend,’ I would say, give him the watch.” ([05:30])

Callers’ Opinions & Anecdotes ([06:05]–[09:04])

• From a Guy’s Perspective:

  • Brad: “If I’m that guy, I’m thinking she’s trying to buy me. If we only been dates for four months [meant ‘weeks’], I’m gonna get the watch and I’m gonna run.” ([06:05])
  • Brad admits he would gladly accept and show off the watch, but it would feel transactional.

• Emotional Risk:

  • Caller: “My only fear is that she’s going to give him an $800 watch, and she is going to be so disappointed in what he gets her—if he gets her anything at all.” ([07:10])

• Gift-Giving Strategy:

  • The host suggests bringing two gifts, a backup in case the boyfriend’s gift doesn’t match the value of the watch, prompting laughter and anecdotes about mismatched gift exchanges.

• Anecdote:

  • Advisor: “I had heard that somebody was getting me a gift that was way over the top … I had to go in, and I had two [gifts] with me.” ([07:41])
  • They recount getting someone a $25 Outback gift card, only to receive a digital camera in return—a memorable mismatched gift story.

Listener Support for Waiting ([08:43]–[09:33])

• Most callers and hosts recommend holding onto the watch for a more significant milestone, like a birthday or later stage in the relationship.

• Serena: “I think she should give it to him later. If they last that long... then at that point, he would, like, I guess, deserve to get it.” ([08:43])

• Host Summarizes: “Way less risky if you just hold onto it until the summertime.” ([09:04])

Gifting Superstitions Enter the Chat ([09:35]–[11:41])

• Cindy introduces a twist:
  • “There’s an old superstition that says if you give a loved one a watch, that means time is running out.” ([09:55])
• The team bounces around other gift superstitions, including that giving shoes means the recipient will “walk out of your life.”
• The conversation gets playful as the hosts and guests joke about the supposed curse of gifting watches, with the idea that the only safe way to get a watch is to “find one on the street.” ([11:58])
• Leanne jokes: The watch is “burning a hole in my pocket.” ([10:43])

Wrapping Up: Practical Reflections ([11:01]–[12:02])

• Leanne admits she kept the watch in part out of hope they’d get back together.
• Advisor (joking): “If you give him the watch, also give him a pair of shoes so that once time runs out, he can walk back into your life.” ([11:27])
• The general consensus remains: Wait until the relationship is more established to give such a significant gift.

---

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Host: “My knee jerk reaction is to reset the date on your relationship. So if you’re only seeing them for four weeks, then treat it like it’s a four week relationship, not that you have the year of history.” ([05:10])
• Brad (caller): “If I’m that guy, I’m thinking she’s trying to buy me ... I’m gonna get the watch and I’m gonna run.” ([06:05])
• Caller: “She is going to be so disappointed in what he gets her—if he gets her anything at all. $800 is saying a lot in a relationship.” ([07:10])
• Cindy: “There’s an old superstition that says if you give a loved one a watch, that means time is running out.” ([09:55])
• Advisor (joking): “If you give him the watch, also give him a pair of shoes so that once time runs out, he can walk back into your life.” ([11:27])
• Host (after all the advice): “That’s pretty much the majority of the advice right there, Lian.” ([10:39])

---

Important Timestamps

• [02:03] — Leanne’s story begins
• [05:10] — Host’s main advice to “reset” the relationship timeline
• [06:05] — Brad’s (caller) male perspective: “I’m gonna get the watch and run”
• [07:41] — Funny anecdote about mismatched gift values
• [08:43] — Serena: “Give it to him later”
• [09:55] — Superstition: Giving a watch means ‘time is running out’
• [11:27] — Playful commentary about combining gifts (watch + shoes = balance)

---

Final Consensus

• Wait before gifting: The majority of hosts and callers agree that it’s better to treat the relationship as new and hold onto the pricey watch for a later, more official milestone.
• Gauge the relationship first: Labels and status matter. Since Leanne and her boyfriend haven’t even defined themselves as “exclusive” yet, the watch would likely feel excessive and set mismatched expectations.
• Consider superstitions (if you’re superstitious!): The playful segment about gift-giving superstitions added levity but underscored the emotional complexity of gift symbolism in relationships.

---

Summary in One Line:
The show’s advice? Don’t give the $800 watch just yet—let the relationship evolve, assign proper labels, and save the big gestures for when the commitment is mutual and clear.

---

Transcript

[Host]

Okay, can we talk about how confusing weight loss has become? Like one minute it's carbs are bad and then the next it's no, actually carbs are fine, but only if you walk 10,000 steps and drink a green juice. And honestly, it's just a lot. And then even if you do lose the weight, keeping it off is a whole different story. If you're struggling and want something that fits your real life, hers can help. It's designed to support you in reaching your goals in a way that actually fits your life. That's why weight loss by hers is getting so much attention right now. Hers connects you with licensed medical providers who create doctor developed treatment plans tailored to you. They offer access to an affordable range of FDA approved GLP1 medications including the Wegovy pill and the Wegovy pen. It helps regulate your appetite so you eat less and keep the weight off. If you're ready to reach your goals and want to try something new, visit for hers.combert to get personalized affordable care that gets you. That's F O R h e r s.comb for hers.com Bert Weightliftsbyhurst is not available in all 50 states, but go via registered trademark of Novo Nordisk A S to get started and learn more, including important safety information with Gobi clinical study information and restrictions, visit borhears.com oh,

[Caller 1]

I have had no luck lately.

[Caller 2]

Wait.

[Host]

Lady luck Bretzky. I got you.

[Advertiser 1]

I've had so much luck on spinquest.com

[Leanne]

they have all of my favorite games,

[Advertiser 1]

slot games, live blackjack craps and bubble craps.

[Leanne]

You can even get a thirty dollar coin pack for just ten bucks.

[Host/Advisor]

Ten bucks for thirty. I'm headed over to spinquest.com right now. Spinquest is a free to play social casino void where prohibited. Visit spinquest.com for more details.

[Advertiser 2]

Hey, the bird show.

[Host/Advisor]

This is a weird time. If you have just started dating a guy or a woman, it's a strange time as far as presence go, but they mean a lot. Because if you guys mentally aren't the same place, are not at the same place, I should say, then your present is really defining where you think the relationship is right now. You know what I'm saying?

[Advisor 1]

Yes, Jen.

[Host/Advisor]

You know what I'm saying?

[Advisor 2]

Yes. For instance, or if there's a gift at all.

[Host/Advisor]

Or at all.

[Advisor 3]

That's gonna be a challenge.

[Advisor 2]

Why?

[Advisor 3]

Wondering if there's a gift at all.

[Host/Advisor]

Well, and what if you do and he doesn't? Or vice versa. There's a. There's a lot of jockeying going on here. So Leanne has a question about a guy that she's been dating for four weeks. Hey, Leanne.

[Leanne]

Hey, guys.

[Host/Advisor]

Hi. How are you?

[Leanne]

How you doing?

[Advisor 1]

Good.

[Host/Advisor]

Okay, now, you've been dating this dude for one month, right?

[Leanne]

Yeah, I mean, we've been named for one month, but we actually. We dated before. We dated last year for about a year. So it's not like I don't really know this guy. We've dated for a year before. But last year, I got this watch for him, and it was kind of like an expensive watch. It was like $800. And so I was going to give it to him for Christmas, but we ended up breaking up before Christmas.

[Advisor 1]

Okay.

[Leanne]

And so then I had this watch, you know, and I just, you know, I never got rid of it. I just kind of had it. Well, we started dating again this past November, like, around Thanksgiving. And so since I've had this watch all this time, and I originally bought it for him, and I know him, I'm wondering, can I give him this same watch?

[Host/Advisor]

Well, that's it. That's a. That's tricky now. And you guys dated for how long? The first time.

[Leanne]

The first time was about a year.

[Host/Advisor]

A year?

[Advisor 1]

Why did y' all break up?

[Leanne]

I'm sorry.

[Advisor 1]

Why did you break up after that year?

[Leanne]

You know, we were just having. We just were having problems. We just, you know, it seemed like everything we did was kind of getting on each other's nerves, and we just ended up fighting all the time. And so we were like, it's better to call it quits right now. And we didn't want to drag that into the holidays and everything. And I think the holidays actually kind of, like, sparked it, because then there was talk about visiting families, and, you know, he didn't really want to bring that into it. And so it kind of just, like, it just blew up at the holiday time.

[Advisor 1]

Because I think that's important. I mean, I think it's important to note that it was between the two of you. So there wasn't a third party involved. It wasn't any, you know, really dramatic scenario. It was just, you know, what?

[Host/Advisor]

Deteriorating.

[Advisor 1]

It was deteriorating. Right. Okay.

[Leanne]

Okay.

[Host/Advisor]

So then you guys start dating again four weeks ago. And how serious has it gotten in that four weeks?

[Leanne]

It's been. I mean, it's been good. I mean, it wasn't. We're not at the point where we were originally. Like, if I. I mean, I wouldn't be buying him an $800 watch, you know, after just dating him for Weeks. So I don't know if that's going to be saying too much, but yet at the same time, because we have this history together, I'm wondering if it's okay because I've just had this. I've just had it sitting here.

[Advisor 2]

Are you guys.

[Leanne]

I don't want to be seeing too much at four weeks, and I don't want him to give the wrong idea, but I've had it.

[Advisor 2]

Are you guys calling each other boyfriend and girlfriend again? Are you exclusively dating?

[Leanne]

We're not exclusively dating, but we're like, you know, we're together. We actually haven't had, like, the talk about that again. We're just kind of feeling. Feeling things out and getting comfortable with each other again and just kind of testing it out right now. I mean, it's been going good.

[Host/Advisor]

My knee jerk reaction is to reset the date on your relationship. So if you're only seeing them for four weeks, then treat it like it's a four week relationship, not that you have the year of history behind you.

[Advisor 1]

Totally agreed.

[Host/Advisor]

You guys agree with that?

[Advisor 1]

Absolutely.

[Advisor 2]

Especially because it's not at boyfriend set. If she had said, yeah, we're boyfriend and girlfriend, I would say, give him the watch. But because. Because you haven't had that talk again and you're not using those labels. Like, he's not introducing you. Like, oh, yeah, this is my girlfriend. So and so then I think it's too much. When's his birthday?

[Leanne]

His birthday's in the summer.

[Advisor 2]

Okay, you could just kind of hold out.

[Advisor 1]

If y' all are still dating, then give him the watch.

[Host/Advisor]

Then, like, to me, if you're. If you're weighing the two, you could do more risk by giving it to him than by not giving it to him. You know what I'm saying? Here's Brad. Good morning, Brad. You're on Q100.

[Caller 2]

Hey, guys. Bad idea. Oh, again, I hate the show. But. If I'm that guy, I'm thinking she's trying to buy me. If we only been dates for four months, I'm gonna get the watch and I'm gonna run. So I don't think it's a good idea, just, you know, looking at it as a guy.

[Advisor 2]

Yeah.

[Advisor 3]

So you're not gonna, you're not gonna return the watch to her? You're gonna take the watch?

[Caller 2]

You better believe it. I'm gonna show it off.

[Leanne]

I love him.

[Host/Advisor]

All right, Brad says bad idea. Here's TC. TC's back. What's going on, dude?

[Caller 2]

Hey, how's it going, people? Happy holidays, everybody.

[Advisor 1]

Happy holidays.

[Caller 2]

You know, my initial reaction was not to give him a watch, you know, just based on it just being four weeks. But they have a history together, and, you know, it is a watch, and she's had it for so long. I think she needs to take a look at how valuable her relationship with is with him, and, you know, how far that relationship is going to go before she actually makes the decision to give it to him.

[Caller 1]

My only fear is that she's going to give him an $800 watch, and she is going to be so disappointed in what he gets her, if he gets her anything at all. $800 is saying a lot in a relationship, is this.

[Host/Advisor]

I know this is going to sound superficial, and this is so not what Christmas is all about, but. But in a case like this, do you go into the gift giving session with two gifts? Cause he's not exactly sure what you're getting him either. So if he gets you something way over the top, you've got the $800 watch. But if he doesn't, you've got something else.

[Advisor 2]

Leave it in your purse.

[Advisor 3]

I did that before where I had heard that somebody was getting me a gift. A friend was getting me a gift that was way over the top because I had helped them with something, and I got them, like, a $25 outback gift certificate or something like that. And so I had to. I was like, crap, I can't go in. You know, so then I had two in.

[Advisor 2]

I just got a bloomin Onion.

[Advertiser 2]

Right.

[Advisor 3]

So I had to go in, and I had two of them with me.

[Host/Advisor]

So you had a backup gift. And what would have happened if you would have drawn. If you would have given the present first? Cause in this negotiation, that's what did happen.

[Advisor 3]

And I went with the cheap one.

[Host/Advisor]

And what did you get in return?

[Advisor 3]

A digital camera.

[Host/Advisor]

Oh.

[Leanne]

Oh, no.

[Host/Advisor]

See, in any negotiation, if you make the offer first, you lose. You lost.

[Advisor 3]

Yeah, well aware.

[Advisor 1]

But she's not going to use that watch.

[Leanne]

No.

[Caller 1]

And I don't even think he's thinking about what to get her. And if he is, it's probably going to be a Christmas card and a gift certificate to her favorite store. It's not anything expensive.

[Host/Advisor]

I think you got to reset. Reset on the new relationship. Hey, Serena. Good Morning. You're on Q100.

[Leanne]

Hey. I think she should give it to him later. If they last that long, then, you know, then. Then at that point, he would, like, I guess, deserve to get it. But, I mean, they didn't even. They didn't make it past the one year mark, so I don't think she should give him something that she was, you know, he earned over a year after they've been together for almost a month.

[Host/Advisor]

Agree. Way less risky if you just hold onto it until the summertime. And if he does get you something way over the top and you give him something not so over the top. Now you've got a definition of where this relationship is in his mind also.

[Advisor 1]

Yeah, Yeah. I just think you need to put the watch back in its storage place and save it for, like Jen said, his birthday, because I don't think you're gonna need it. And I think that's an expensive gift even for a one year relationship. But, you know, I. Yeah, I think that's way too much.

[Host/Advisor]

Cindy, good morning. You have some advice?

[Leanne]

Good morning.

[Host/Advisor]

Hi. So you have Leanne here, who's been dating a guy for four weeks, but she previously dated him for a year. They broke up for a year, they've been dating for four weeks, and she's got this $800 watch that she's planning on giving him. Good idea or is that a bad idea?

[Leanne]

I've always grown up that it was a bad idea to give a significant other a watch.

[Host/Advisor]

Why?

[Leanne]

There's an old superstition that says if you give a loved one a watch, that means time is running out.

[Advisor 2]

I've heard of the shoes 1. If you give a woman shoes, she'll walk out of your life.

[Caller 2]

What?

[Leanne]

Really?

[Host/Advisor]

Never heard of this. Yeah, there's a whole bunch of people now calling saying it's just a bad idea to give a watch, period.

[Caller 1]

That's funny.

[Advisor 1]

That is funny.

[Advertiser 2]

I've never.

[Advisor 1]

I've never heard that.

[Host/Advisor]

Never had any idea. Hey, Alex.

[Caller 2]

Hey, good morning.

[Host/Advisor]

What's happening?

[Caller 2]

Yeah. Now, do not give the watch. You don't need that complication going into the holidays.

[Host/Advisor]

Yeah, what kind of complication?

[Caller 2]

Well, you know, just the discussion that you guys are having right now, she's going to be having mentally and just leave the watch out and see whether the relationship goes.

[Host/Advisor]

That's pretty much the majority of the advice right there, Lian.

[Leanne]

All right, I guess. I guess we'll just hold on, I guess another several months. It's almost like it's burning a hole in my pocket.

[Host/Advisor]

Right. I can't believe you kept it this long, to be honest with you.

[Advisor 1]

I mean, is it a reflection of you wanting to jump right back into where you were before and you just realized that you can't?

[Leanne]

No, I guess it was just, you know, I held onto it because I had, you know, I specifically bought it for him. And it was just always kind of, you know, maybe I hoped we were getting back together, but I didn't want to, you know, I didn't want to sell it or get rid of it. I mean, and who's even to say I'd even get what it was worth if I sold it? So I just kind of. I just kind of kept on to it. And then when we got back together, I thought, well, you know, what's the harm in just giving it to him?

[Advisor 3]

What I heard was, if you give him the watch, also give him a pair of shoes so that once time runs out, he can walk back into your life.

[Leanne]

Whoa.

[Advisor 2]

That was deep, man. Deep. I think that you should get it resized for yourself and just wear it.

[Host/Advisor]

But what if she's still dating the dude in the summer and wants to give it to him?

[Advisor 2]

Then she can buy him a different watch.

[Advisor 3]

That's like suicide because then her time's running out. You can't give a watch as a gift. You can't get a watch from someone, nor can you buy a watch for yourself.

[Advertiser 2]

Those are. That's the superstition.

[Host]

I'm so confused.

[Caller 2]

All right.

[Advisor 3]

The only way you can successfully obtain a watch is to find one on the street.

[Host/Advisor]

Leanne, thank you for calling, I think, and I'm sure you're never going to do that again, but I appreciate you

[Leanne]

calling and thanks so much, guys.

[Host/Advisor]

The first show.

[Advertiser 2]

Happy birthday, America. It's time to celebrate and play your favorite Las Vegas casino games by American owned spinquest.com what's better than fireworks and American pie hitting a black tech in the palm of your hand and you won't lose your fingers. Over a thousand games, including slots and live dealers and 30 coin packs are on sale for 10 spinquest.com buy American players.

[Host/Advisor]

For American players, Spin Quest is a free to play social casino void where prohibited. Visit spinquest.com for more details.

[Advertiser 1]

So you're running out of closet space. The good news, you don't need to stop shopping. You just need to start selling with the RealReal. The RealReal is the world's largest and most trusted resource for authenticated luxury resale. Whether it's that mini bag that can't even fit your phone or those boots you never fully broke in. The Real The RealReal handles everything from photography and copywriting to shipping and pricing. So you can just sit back, get paid, and make room for things that actually feel like you. And with 10,000 plus new arrivals every single day, from top designers like Prada, Celine, Louis Vuitton and Louisville for up to 90% off retail. You're bound to find something perfectly on brand to fill that extra closet space with. Plus, this may only you can get an extra $200 to shop when you sell for the first time, make room for what feels like you go to therealreal.com to start selling and get your extra $200 to keep [e-mail] that's therealrail.com terms apply.