ROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEX

adelgado · 18 January 2010, 12:45 AM

TRF'ers:

My father received, as an engagement gift, a 1960s manual wind rolex perpetual datejust (I had posted pictures here a long time ago) (http://rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=94130)

I had always loved that watch and finally, when I began law school, he gave it to me.

As the years passed, I purchased my first new rolex (a daytona). By this time, my dad's watch has been through hell and back (before it was given to me, it had been water damaged, had a broken winding stem, etc., all of which had been repaired, but the watch had never been completely overhauled because we always lived overseas). So, I sent it for a complete service. It came back gorgeous!

Anyway, my dad then "repo'd" the watch - with my blessings of course.

My dad's newest post is HAITI and yep, he was there when the quake hit. Had he actually done what he vowed to do that New Years eve and take the early shuttle home, he would have been, in his own words, crushed by the falling walls in the TV room while watching desperate house wives. Fortunately, he stayed late and was in the Embassy when the earthquake destroyed his home, crushed his car, caused his pool to slide down the mountain and killed his neighbor.

Everything in his home is buried under rubble - it will be weeks before anyone can bother trying to search through the ruins for personal effects. Considering the tragic loss of life and the ongoing suffering of hundreds of thousands, material things are dead last on anyones priorities.

Its hard for me to really grasp that I came within one shuttle ride of losing my father (as I am sure it is hard for him to grasp how close he came to dying)

And without missing a beat, everyone continues to work around the clock to do what they can. My dad writes that aid workers are sleeping on the lawn of the embassy (where it seems he is living). This morning I read on CNN that medical providers had withdrawn from some clinics due to concerns over safety with riots nearby. The situation is dire and, in a county with limited food, limited water, poor infrastructure, "dawn" seems far away.

Part of me can't help but think of a little steel watch, buried under a pile of mortar and stone, gently ticking away as its power fails. I always thought of that watch as constant - eternal in its functioning, independent of batteries, a unwavering work of engineering and a symbol, to me, of my father. I am so damned glad its laying there alone.

Like my dad, its been all over the world.
Like my dad, its had its share of adventure
Like all of us, its been knocked down and maybe its been knocked out.

Or maybe, just maybe, through luck or providence, its really just fine! waiting under ash, dust, mud, brick and mortar for someone to come along and find it.

And, when its found, part of me knows it will take a few gentle turns to set it all right again.

So those are my thoughts this Sunday morning! We are all so truly lucky.

Double_J · 18 January 2010, 01:24 AM

Thank you for that post. A very heartfelt reminder to appreciate what we have and a reaffirmation that most of the things we worry about on a daily basis are either easily fixed or not worth getting upset over in the grand scheme.

Kokyuryoku · 18 January 2010, 01:33 AM

Thank you for sharing

Great post

faingator · 18 January 2010, 01:34 AM

Thank you for such a thoughtful post. I really enjoyed reading it.

sea-dweller · 18 January 2010, 01:55 AM

Good post, definitely makes us appreciate what we have.

RolexPete · 18 January 2010, 02:12 AM

Great read. Best to your father and all those in Haiti!

lavaman · 18 January 2010, 02:21 AM

great post. vERY well written

(and i dont even like Rolex :-)

buz-lh · 18 January 2010, 02:55 AM

Excellent post that really puts into perspective what is truly important. I do hope that when things are a bit sorted out down there the watch reappears.

figbo · 18 January 2010, 05:19 AM

Great post Aaron and yes,we are blessed!

DarkHorse · 9 February 2010, 11:50 PM

18 January 2010, 12:45 AM	#1
adelgado "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Real Name: Aaron Location: daytona beach Watch: YG Yachtmaster II Posts: 70	The Rolex that Started it All For Me TRF'ers: My father received, as an engagement gift, a 1960s manual wind rolex perpetual datejust (I had posted pictures here a long time ago) (http://rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=94130) I had always loved that watch and finally, when I began law school, he gave it to me. As the years passed, I purchased my first new rolex (a daytona). By this time, my dad's watch has been through hell and back (before it was given to me, it had been water damaged, had a broken winding stem, etc., all of which had been repaired, but the watch had never been completely overhauled because we always lived overseas). So, I sent it for a complete service. It came back gorgeous! Anyway, my dad then "repo'd" the watch - with my blessings of course. My dad's newest post is HAITI and yep, he was there when the quake hit. Had he actually done what he vowed to do that New Years eve and take the early shuttle home, he would have been, in his own words, crushed by the falling walls in the TV room while watching desperate house wives. Fortunately, he stayed late and was in the Embassy when the earthquake destroyed his home, crushed his car, caused his pool to slide down the mountain and killed his neighbor. Everything in his home is buried under rubble - it will be weeks before anyone can bother trying to search through the ruins for personal effects. Considering the tragic loss of life and the ongoing suffering of hundreds of thousands, material things are dead last on anyones priorities. Its hard for me to really grasp that I came within one shuttle ride of losing my father (as I am sure it is hard for him to grasp how close he came to dying) And without missing a beat, everyone continues to work around the clock to do what they can. My dad writes that aid workers are sleeping on the lawn of the embassy (where it seems he is living). This morning I read on CNN that medical providers had withdrawn from some clinics due to concerns over safety with riots nearby. The situation is dire and, in a county with limited food, limited water, poor infrastructure, "dawn" seems far away. Part of me can't help but think of a little steel watch, buried under a pile of mortar and stone, gently ticking away as its power fails. I always thought of that watch as constant - eternal in its functioning, independent of batteries, a unwavering work of engineering and a symbol, to me, of my father. I am so damned glad its laying there alone. Like my dad, its been all over the world. Like my dad, its had its share of adventure Like all of us, its been knocked down and maybe its been knocked out. Or maybe, just maybe, through luck or providence, its really just fine! waiting under ash, dust, mud, brick and mortar for someone to come along and find it. And, when its found, part of me knows it will take a few gentle turns to set it all right again. So those are my thoughts this Sunday morning! We are all so truly lucky.

18 January 2010, 01:33 AM	#3
Kokyuryoku "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Real Name: Rye Location: Japan Watch: Sundial Posts: 2,156	Thank you for sharing Great post __________________ 'The Way of a Warrior is based on humanity, love, and sincerity; the heart of martial valor is true bravery, wisdom, love, and friendship. Emphasis on the physical aspects of warriorship is futile, for the power of the body is always limited'*- Morihei Ueshiba -* Omega 3570.50 (77mil) Rolex 16610 (V) Rolex 1601 (1966) Seiko BM

18 January 2010, 01:34 AM	#4
faingator "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Fort Myers, FL Watch: Rolex Deepsea Posts: 8,726	Thank you for such a thoughtful post. I really enjoyed reading it. __________________ Rolex SS Blk Sub-C V-Series Rolex TT Blk Sub-C V-Series Rolex Sub 14060M V-Series Rolex Explorer II White V-Series Rolex Yachtmaster SS M-Series

18 January 2010, 01:55 AM	#5
sea-dweller "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Real Name: Dennis Location: Bay Area - 925 Posts: 40,018	Good post, definitely makes us appreciate what we have. __________________ TRF Member #6699 (since September 2007)

18 January 2010, 02:12 AM	#6
RolexPete "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Real Name: Peter Location: Massachusetts Watch: 214270 Mk2 Posts: 1,963	Great read. Best to your father and all those in Haiti! __________________ 2016 Explorer 214270 Mk2 - 1996 Submariner 14060* - 1972 Datejust 1601 1972 Oyster Perpetual 1002 - 1978 Oysterquartz 17000 Omega Seamaster 2265.80 - Omega Seamaster 300 166.0324 *RIP PAL 1942-2015

18 January 2010, 01:24 AM	#2
Double_J "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: USA Posts: 98	Thank you for that post. A very heartfelt reminder to appreciate what we have and a reaffirmation that most of the things we worry about on a daily basis are either easily fixed or not worth getting upset over in the grand scheme.

18 January 2010, 02:21 AM	#7
lavaman Banned Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: The Airport Watch: what happens next Posts: 1,942	great post. vERY well written (and i dont even like Rolex :-)

18 January 2010, 02:55 AM	#8
buz-lh "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Real Name: Buz Location: Atlanta Watch: Rolex Tudor Pam Posts: 5,108	Excellent post that really puts into perspective what is truly important. I do hope that when things are a bit sorted out down there the watch reappears. __________________ Buz The faster you move, the slower time passes, the longer you live. Peter Diamandis

18 January 2010, 05:19 AM	#9
figbo "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Real Name: El Raf-O Location: florida Watch: tt GMT2c,Omega Posts: 19,687	Great post Aaron and yes,we are blessed! __________________ member # 9862 Best bartender in the world!! Last of the Bastid Tossers p club member #9

9 February 2010, 11:50 PM	#10
DarkHorse "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Real Name: Dave Location: Sydney Watch: 118239 Posts: 413	Top notch post :) __________________ The world is safe again... but for how long? Current: TAG Heuer 2000 Classic, Kobold Phantom Tactical Chronograph, Rolex Submariner 16610, Breitling Superocean Heritage Chronograph A13320 (Crowe Edition), Rolex Day-Date 118239

10 February 2010, 12:04 AM	#11
everose Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: World Citizen Posts: 593	Amazing post!!!! very thought provoking!!!! Thank you.

10 February 2010, 12:51 AM	#12
mfer "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Real Name: Mik Location: USA Posts: 13,723	Thanks for the perspective. Great post!

10 February 2010, 02:37 AM	#13
spuds "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Real Name: Dan Location: Essex, UK Watch: West Ham! COYI!! Posts: 7,941	Great post. & my best wishes to your Father & all in Haiti. __________________ Onwards & Upwards Rodders...... Onwards & Upwards. Life is not about how fast you can run or how high you can climb........... It's about how well you can bounce!! TRF HALL OF FAME JANUARY 2010

10 February 2010, 02:57 AM	#14
omg Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Real Name: Tommy Location: US Posts: 260	Great post!

10 February 2010, 07:50 AM	#15
Yazo "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Dallas TX Watch: Rolex Posts: 2,812	Wow..great read. Any updates????

10 February 2010, 08:05 AM	#16
Arrgo "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Real Name: Alan Location: Wet coast, Canada Watch: A few, yes Posts: 368	Wonderful post! Best wishes to you, your Dad, and all of your family. Hopefully he will stay safe and well. __________________ Experience is something you don't get until just after you need it. - Steven Wright

10 February 2010, 08:18 AM	#17
DATEJUSTSS Banned Join Date: May 2007 Real Name: Jesse Location: Central FLA Watch: GMT IIC Posts: 447	That puts some much needed perspective on things. Thank you Aaron.

10 February 2010, 08:28 AM	#18
marshallr47 "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Real Name: Ron Location: Alabama Watch: Daytona,TT Sub,GMT Posts: 4,673	Aaron, that's a beautiful thread. I'm am glad for your dad's safety and best wishes for a safe return to the States. Our prayers are with him. __________________ Ron

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