Rolex in the Wild

[GradyPhilpott]

Some while back a member challenged us to take pictures of other peoples Rolex watches that we encounter in our daily lives.

That challenge met with quite a bit of resistance, but I found it to be an interesting challenge, as well as a photographic project.

Well, so far I haven't had anyone I've asked to take a picture of their Rolex refuse and quite to the contrary, people seem to be proud to let me take a shot.

Now, this is a hit or miss process, sometimes called a convenience sample, because, it's not always convenient to approach everyone who's wearing a Rolex and I'm sure there are quite a few Rolex watches that I don't see because they're hidden by apparel.

Well, anyway, I thought I'd share the one's I've gotten so far.

Tonight, I spotted a nice YG DD and so, I asked if I could get a picture and the owner was quite accommodating.

So, here's the body of work so far.

Remember that these watches all belong to complete strangers, who are bowlers whom I've met at the bowling alleys.

[adamlea]

Great project - great shots.

[GradyPhilpott]

Originally Posted by adamlea

Great project - great shots.

Thanks. I'm still working on technique, but as Cartier-Bresson once said, "Sharpness is a bourgeois concept."

[Old Expat Beast]

Rather you than me. I wouldn't have the nerve.

[joli160]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

Rather you than me. I wouldn't have the nerve.

Amazing that you dare.

[skprd13]

FYI, I have never so far seen a Rolex in the wild on Kauai! Besides my wife's Rolex watch so I have no pictures to show of one.

[LA_LEC]

I see LVs here in West Hollywood week and sometimes multiple ones in a day. In sometimes comment and I have been complimented on mine.

Not sure if I would feel comfortable asking for a picture however...

[GradyPhilpott]

It's okay if no one else feels like going out on a limb to get pictures of other people's watches.

I just decided to accept the challenge and needed a place to post the "fruits of my labor."

It's all a part of my goal someday to learn street photography.

[bigrustypig]

Very interesting. Maybe I will join you with my own posts, if you don't mind.

[GradyPhilpott]

Originally Posted by bigrustypig

Very interesting. Maybe I will join you with my own posts, if you don't mind.

By all means!

Originally Posted by capote

OMG that is a huge wrist. The Submariner looks like a toy, or maybe its just the angle. Nice project.

He was definitely a big man.

Originally Posted by AK797

This is a good way of getting a lot of out of focus fakes on this site, lol!

I think not. These pictures are all the result of a conversation about Rolex and watches in general.

These men know Rolex and some know TRF.

By the time I take a picture, I'm pretty sure that the watch is genuine, even if I screw up the picture and as I said, I'm perfecting my technique.

Of course, If anyone spots a fake, I can certainly have it removed.

Originally Posted by mjclark32

Nice, I guess bowlers are a friendly bunch

It's a huge family and definitely a culture all to itself, especially the leagues.

Besides the game itself, my sociology background helps to make bowling endlessly entertaining.

A bowling alley is a veritable zoo.

Originally Posted by Bangel

Just face facts Grady..... you're irresistible!

A big grin, genuine enthusiasm, and the gift of gab certainly go a long way.

It helps to be wearing your own Rolex and exhibit some knowledge, but ultimately most Rolex owners are proud of their watches and every Rolex has a story.

That's what makes the project interesting.

[capote]

OMG that is a huge wrist. The Submariner looks like a toy, or maybe its just the angle. Nice project.

[KINGROLESAR]

Originally Posted by capote

OMG that is a huge wrist. The Submariner looks like a toy, or maybe its just the angle. Nice project.

Yes- this guy should be wearing a "UBOWL"

[AK797]

This is a good way of getting a lot of out of focus fakes on this site, lol!

[mjclark32]

Nice, I guess bowlers are a friendly bunch

[Bangel]

Just face facts Grady..... you're irresistible!

It's an interesting project.

You've certainly noticed quite a few Rolex wearers at your bowling alley and the fact you haven't been turned down is notable. Though I made light of it above, I'm sure one's demeanour goes a long way.

[mr_gray]

Thanks. Great project. Love to see more.

[mjclark32]

[Old Expat Beast]

"A bowling alley is a veritable zoo."

I wouldn't say that to the guy with the huge wrists

[GradyPhilpott]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

"A bowling alley is a veritable zoo."

I wouldn't say that to the guy with the huge wrists

But, it's true, even for the guy with the big wrists.

People of every size and shape who each have a different approach and delivery from the most classical form to the most bizarre that rival some of the most flamboyant avian mating rituals.

People dressed in every imaginable way from street clothes to crazy bowling shirts with bizarre names and who chant on cue like a troop of baboons.

And on some nights people are crammed so tight it's hard to get around, especially in the pits.

If you haven't been to a bowling alley of late on a league night, it's certainly worth the price of admission, which is exactly nothing.

[FTX I]

[paolo14]

Do you bowl regularly Grady? I used to bowl regularly back in the days and got lucky once had a perfect game. I will never forget that moment. Here's a pic of the ring I received. 👍ImageUploadedByTapatalk1391304144.964116.jpg

[GradyPhilpott]

Originally Posted by paolo14

Do you bowl regularly Grady? I used to bowl regularly back in the days and got lucky once had a perfect game. I will never forget that moment. Here's a pic of the ring I received. ��

Congratulations!

I live to bowl a perfect game, but alas, it may not be in the stars for me.

I took up the game seriously a few years ago and I bowl a lot.

This year I am bowling in four leagues and I take lessons on Fridays and bowl usually two to three hours about as fast as the ball will come back.

I was showing some real progress this year and even though I now play in the bush leagues, I had high hopes of moving up into the more competitive leagues next year.

However, in early October I began to have hip problems and I didn't listen to my coach who insisted that I sit out and let it heal and I suffered through about three months of excruciating pain and was still doing pretty well, but eventually I had to stop bowling, as I should have done four months ago now.

My high game is 255 and my high series is a 647 and those were last season. This season I managed to bowl several 600 series and had quite a few 200 games, but as I said, the bursitis put an end to that for now.

Now, I'm in physical therapy and I'm beginning to show some improvement. I'm still on a cane and may be using it for another 8 weeks or so.

I have one more Dexamethasone treatment, then we will begin strength training for the hip to minimize the chance of an occurrence.

For me, bowling fulfills several universal needs. It's a personal challenge, structure, and social interaction in a healthy environment and I intend to bowl and improve as long as I'm physically able.

[GradyPhilpott]

Here we go! Another Rolex at the bowling alley. I saw this one at my league today. Bowled a 601 series and 216 high game, by the way.

[superdog]

Love this idea.

And great shots. Well done.

[GradyPhilpott]

Originally Posted by superdog

Love this idea.

And great shots. Well done.

Thanks, Seth.

I need to get better at using my smart phone as a camera.

It's a work in progress.

[hdrazor251]

Well done Grady.

In general bowlers are great people. I say that I grew up in bowling alleys. I use to go with my dad to leagues and tournaments and play pinball. At one point in the 70's my dad held the Arizona state record for sanctioned 300's. I think he's had 11 and 6 of them were sanctioned. His last one was about 7 years ago at the age of 71. One of the biggest regrets of my life is that some %^$# broke into his house and stole all of his 300 rings.

I was in junior leagues from age 8 to 17 until girls, work and college got in the way. 35 years later I'm beginning to miss it and I'm thinking about joining a league again.

Keep up the PT and hope you get back on the road to that perfect game soon.

[GradyPhilpott]

Originally Posted by hdrazor251

35 years later I'm beginning to miss it and I'm thinking about joining a league again.

Sorry about your dad's misfortune.

My hip has been healed for quite a while and I'm bowling very well this year so far.

I can definitely recommend bowling regardless of how long you've been out.

Get a good coach, so you can focus on the fundamentals till you get your game back and go for the gusto.

[ltmgeller]

[Alfredo.]

Cool project! Nice watches!

[Danex]

Bowling and Rolex - who knew?
I would have never guessed there would be a correlation. Perhaps there is some secret "Rolex effect" that helps you score higher. Feel better, bowl better?

Anyway, I'm thinking I may step up to the challenge and ask for a photo from the next Rolex in the wild. Well done Grady!