My 20+ year love affair with the GMT

[MitchSteel]

Hi, all.I figured I'd write up a bit of a story how this watch lunacy started.

First off, Rolex sports models are in my blood.My Grandfather wore an oyster model for 60+ years,daily, through his seagoing career.My Dad, still wears his 5512 Sub, he originally purchased in the early 70's in Lima Peru when he was just a lowly squid, when he started his sailing career.Im continuing this tradition, by wearing Oyster Perpetual models.Ive got a lot, and I mean, a lot to be grateful for, as Ive acquired quite a collection of Rolex sports models.

My love for the GMT models started back in the early 90's, when I first saw one in the flesh at an AD in Halifax, Nova Scotia.My Dad went window shopping for a Sub and he brought me along.He was looking for a new model, something with a saphire cristal.As he was talking to the lady behind the counter about the Subs, I was glued to the display case, staring at the black/red bezel GMT's.Ive seen the Sub he was admiring, but couldn't care less, I was captivated by the GMT.I don't know if it was the extra red hand, or the bezel.I didnt even know WTF the red hand did, but i loved it.I knew right there and then, I will have one of those some day.

Years went by, I've gone, literally through two dozen nice watches.Started with Seikos, moved on to TagHeuers, then onto Longines and Omegas,more Seikos.....back to Omega and Tag.....so on.Then, getting into a flying college, I was bitten by the big 'ol shiny Breitling bug.....Navitimer, Crosswind,Cockpit.....WTF was I thinking?I knew nothing about watches....
Then I started to mellow out....horologically.....IWC Mark xv.Immediately, I discovered, none of my college buddies made fun of my humble, small Mark xv.My entire watch collection was sold off, I just kept the IWC, thinking, this is it, THIS is all I need.......haha, wrong...

Lets fast forward a few years, and yet another two dozen watches.Numerous Damasko, Laco, Fortis, Sinn.....can you see the trend?

Now, through those years, the GMT never left me alone.It was the watch, that would suddenly pop up out of nowhere,slap me across the face and leave me stunned and drooling.This thing started to haunt my dreams, yet again.I HAD TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.

So, here I sit...5 Rolex watches in front of me.3 GMT's, one of each generation, a vintage Sub and a SD.....and everyone of them tells a story.

Ive worked very hard though these 20 years, two/three jobs at a time.I didn't have to work my ass off, but I did.....and I'm sure glad I did.Ive got quite the diverse resume.....bush pilot, forklift driver, lavatory emptierouter (my least favourite),construction labourer,air ambulance pilot,delivery driver, lumberjack,substitute teacher,carpenter,grocery store clerk, roofer,prison guard,airline pilot.

Now, sitting in a cushy seat of an airliner, I look back at my road that took me here.It wasn't just the drive to make some money and buy a freaking watch.....it was something else I can't explain.I can only thank my Grandfather and my Dad, for setting an example, of hard work paying off......

Oh, ya....thanks, Rolex for having me on a permanent hook

[Degas]

Originally Posted by MitchSteel

Hi, all.I figured I'd write up a bit of a story how this watch lunacy started.

First off, Rolex sports models are in my blood.My Grandfather wore an oyster model for 60+ years,daily, through his seagoing career.My Dad, still wears his 5512 Sub, he originally purchased in the early 70's in Lima Peru when he was just a lowly squid, when he started his sailing career.Im continuing this tradition, by wearing Oyster Perpetual models.Ive got a lot, and I mean, a lot to be grateful for, as Ive acquired quite a collection of Rolex sports models.

My love for the GMT models started back in the early 90's, when I first saw one in the flesh at an AD in Halifax, Nova Scotia.My Dad went window shopping for a Sub and he brought me along.He was looking for a new model, something with a saphire cristal.As he was talking to the lady behind the counter about the Subs, I was glued to the display case, staring at the black/red bezel GMT's.Ive seen the Sub he was admiring, but couldn't care less, I was captivated by the GMT.I don't know if it was the extra red hand, or the bezel.I didnt even know WTF the red hand did, but i loved it.I knew right there and then, I will have one of those some day.

Years went by, I've gone, literally through two dozen nice watches.Started with Seikos, moved on to TagHeuers, then onto Longines and Omegas,more Seikos.....back to Omega and Tag.....so on.Then, getting into a flying college, I was bitten by the big 'ol shiny Breitling bug.....Navitimer, Crosswind,Cockpit.....WTF was I thinking?I knew nothing about watches....
Then I started to mellow out....horologically.....IWC Mark xv.Immediately, I discovered, none of my college buddies made fun of my humble, small Mark xv.My entire watch collection was sold off, I just kept the IWC, thinking, this is it, THIS is all I need.......haha, wrong...

Lets fast forward a few years, and yet another two dozen watches.Numerous Damasko, Laco, Fortis, Sinn.....can you see the trend?

Now, through those years, the GMT never left me alone.It was the watch, that would suddenly pop up out of nowhere,slap me across the face and leave me stunned and drooling.This thing started to haunt my dreams, yet again.I HAD TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.

So, here I sit...5 Rolex watches in front of me.3 GMT's, one of each generation, a vintage Sub and a SD.....and everyone of them tells a story.

Ive worked very hard though these 20 years, two/three jobs at a time.I didn't have to work my ass off, but I did.....and I'm sure glad I did.Ive got quite the diverse resume.....bush pilot, forklift driver, lavatory emptierouter (my least favourite),construction labourer,air ambulance pilot,delivery driver, lumberjack,substitute teacher,carpenter,grocery store clerk, roofer,prison guard,airline pilot.

Now, sitting in a cushy seat of an airliner, I look back at my road that took me here.It wasn't just the drive to make some money and buy a freaking watch.....it was something else I can't explain.I can only thank my Grandfather and my Dad, for setting an example, of hard work paying off......

Oh, ya....thanks, Rolex for having me on a permanent hook

Great story! Thanks for sharing. How about some pics?


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[Cc1966]

Mitch, quite a story - would love to see your prized babies!

[mjclark32]

What a journey!
Thanks for sharing

[second time]

Agree Mitch, the GMT is Imho THE pilots watch. Seen and held some of the others, they just don't hold up. The legends of aviation almost to a man chose one brand of watch for their personal use.

Done some bush flying myself, now just flight levels but my 116710 always keeps me company when things get quiet at the back of the clock.

[Doug T]

Great story and thanks for sharing!

[MitchSteel]

Thanks for reading my ramblings, boys.Off to work....haha.Pics to come

[mruhland31]

What a great story. Congrats on your life's journey and the watches that have come along with you to bear witness. Cheers

[codecow]

GMT #1 world champion!!!

[Cesium133]

Great story. I'm sure many of on TRF had a similar journey, collecting dozens of watches while always secretly pining for a Rolex. Glad you now have your collection!

[Casey VP-26]

Great Story, two or three jobs at a time started for me at age 16.

Enjoy that cushy seat, you deserve it.

Proud of ya man, Thanks for sharing that story.

[nikanarani]

Superb read, thank you for the post. We need more stories.

[SWISSAHOLICS]

Really cool

[Phil t 32]

Great read Mitch, being a bit slow here, is the cushy seat right at the front of the airliner or a recliner?? :-)

[AK-Rolestar]

This is the best part of the forum: the stories!

Thanks for another great real life story featuring a Rolex!

[threemonkeys]

Wonderful story.

[Piloto]

My GMT is my all time fav.

[MitchSteel]

Great read Mitch, being a bit slow here, is the cushy seat right at the front of the airliner or a recliner?? :-)

At the pointy end

Thanks for the kind words, guys.Im glad some people actually have enough attention span to read.My write up is kind of long, too much coffee this morning.

[melons]

Thanks for sharing your life with us Mitch!!

[bobert]

I enjoyed the story. I didn't find it too long at all. A good work ethic is something my dad instilled in me, too. One thing he used to tell me is that "you should strive to be contented in life - you can never be happy all the time - life doesn't work that way". Well, I'm contented and I have the YM to prove it.

Keep drinking that coffee....

-B

[Rolexitis]

[TimeOnHand]

Thanks for sharing your story. Pls do post some pictures of your watch!

[Hairdude1]

Great story...Thanks for sharing this

[CrownMe]

Great story but without pictures its just not complete!!! lol

[MitchSteel]

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[Nycturbovr6]

Great story!

[Gaijin]

Good stuff!

[cop414]

Great story Mitch, great watches too! Thanks for sharing.

[Brenngun]

Nice story Mitch. Contrary to popular belief there is a large number of literate members with reasonable attention spans on TRF. Out off all the watches in your pic I like the Pepsi best. By the way is Jack Lousma any relation or are you just a fan of Skylab rats.

[MitchSteel]

Oh, I just like all this space stuff.Im a fan of everything Nautical, as well as, Aeronautical.Conquering of the sea and space is a true test of what man kind is made of.......as for the watches....I guess one can say, Skylab meets SeaLab...hehe