Does he realize that her children will be his grandchildren, but her brother's... well, let's just say that when it comes to those things can get kind of tricky?

Jees, this is so old fashioned. Will the father be choosing the husband as well??? Did he not realize the watch would go to a woman the moment she was born? Misogynistic twat.

As a person who is NOT the first born, I will say the first-born traditions kind of suck. I can't tell you how many times I was overlooked, and my older sister favored with things like jewelry and other inherited items, because of our birth order. What if the OP's sibling had been another girl, instead of a boy? Wouldn't it be unfair to that younger sister if OP got the watch? It just seems so arbitrary and unfair.

Yikes. So much yikes. If this is how that stingy old man treats his own daughter, I don't want to see how he treats other people who aren't related to him.

What's a fun Way for the watch to leave the family? If the son who has no attachment to the watch what so ever, pawns it off for a quick buck.

Typical move from the penile crew

My mother had what i called THE BIG PENNY it was basically a war medal from Poland that was given to the family of the fallen soldiers ( didnt know this at the time i was 10 ) i always wanted it as i was obsessed by what it was ( treasure in my mind) and how i would decipher the strange language on it( Polish ) and i would find missing treasure , anyway i moved out at 18 , when my mum became ill with cancer i asked about the medal and she actually though id already took it , i never , when i cleaned her house i never found it , i can only assume one of my brothers took it and said nothing

Definitely NTA. That's completely horrible that your father is excluding you from a tradition just because you're a female. Especially since you've showed interest in it. I can't believe he let you believe you would get it for so long, it isn't cool.

Dad's the a*****e....not only for the blatant sexism toward his own daughter, but if it was always intention to give the watch to her brother then why has he fanned the flames all these years about the f*****g watch to her? He's the one that's set her up for a huge emotional fall

Men are women before they're born (Its true, look it up). NTA if my father said that to me i would not speak to him for a long time.

Telling her ‘I wouldn’t have given you the pocket watch even if you WERE a boy” tells me everything about this ‘father’ I’d ever want to know.

The father should have made it clear from the first time he told the story that the watch goes to the first-born son. The watch isn't the one the OP wanted, and she does not like it, so she should return it to wherever the father bought it for cash. The father does not think much of her because she is a girl and says she will leave his family when she gets married. This means he will no longer consider her part of his family when she is married. She should get a job asap if she doesn't have one, because he might not have planned to provide for her in the future at all (expecting her future husband to instead). She needs to be prepared for future curve balls like this and take control of her life.

This is just so sad. We have multiple heirlooms that are precious to my family. I'm supposed to get a charm bracelet that my great grandmother has been passing down . Now I think my mom is just planning on keeping it until she dies herself and never let me wear it. She keeps it in a box. Never sees the light of day.

What a great way for the watch to leave the family? If the son who has no interest or attachment to the watch just see it an antique worth a few bucks at the local p**n shop.

What would have happened if he only had daughters. Then would no one have gotten the watch.

It's that classic only the men carry the name because women are possessions misogyny. And really poor timing to remind his daughter of that additude. I agree with another comment that the girl should definitely look into her personal finances because it's a good bet her father is assuming she will get "married off".

Profoundly hurtful behaviour on part of father. I'm so sorry for this young woman.

This is bringing back Trauma. When my Nana died my Papa sold EVERYTHING he could get money for. I literally had to have a fit because he was trying to sell my great grandmother's Mink Stole and HAD sold my mother's rabbit coat. I did get the mink back, but all of her jewelry, and any other furs she had, are gone now. I was supposed to inherit that, but he decided it was his and sold it.

My brother is the only male grandchild on my father's side. He is not sentimental, and does not remember my grandfather. I asked my grandmother for some trophies and mementos. She was surprised that a girl would want them, but I think she was pleased that someone actively sought them

The biggest ‘heirloom’ in my family was my paternal grandmothers now 100 year old fine china. It was used for all big family holiday meals. It went to my aunt. After she passed, I took it because nobody else in the family wanted it. But my favorite memories of grandma were using it for tea parties in her apartment. Where I learned how to swim. None of the kids or grandkids wanted it. And I married twice with no kids. It is getting sold when I go. 100+ year-old china should pay for my cremation.

This is rediculous. Why he never told you how he felt about the tradition. Your the one who cares about the tradition. Your the oldest. It should have been yours. Your father knee you expected it. He tried to bribe you with the apple watch. He is the A. Write out how you feel about the situation. Mail him the letter. See if he reaches out to apologize and give you your inheritance.

And when his son gets married and has two daughters...what then?

I would never speak to him again!! I'm a petty person but sexism is ridiculous!!

Tell him you have agreed to the sex change for the sake of the watch

Some of us women never get married. I wonder how the father would feel if she decides to not marry. And what would happen if he only had daughters?