What Owning Wearing a Rolex Should be About

[padi56]

Many years ago back in the late 1970s my Father always wanted a Rolex watch so he took on two jobs and saved for just over 5 years to get his watch.Now he always wanted a Submariner so when he had saved enough money at this time just over £950,so off he went to the AD to buy his watch.And I am sure he did not go with a Lupe to examine every minute detail of the watch or worry if this or that will go up in value or worry over a few seconds.In those days you just bought a Rolex watch knowing that watch would last a lifetime and beyond.Back in those bygone days you bought a Rolex not to try or hope it would go up in value, but to wear hopefully in good health for the rest of your life.Now when my Father got to the AD they showed him the sub,but tried to sell him a 6263 Daytona instead, in those days they were very very poor sellers.And they even offered him a discount off £25 of the price,now the Daytona was almost then a £100 retail cheaper than the sub so with the discount plus the cheaper price he bought the Daytona 6263.Now with the money saved he bought my mother a new washing machine,now sadly my Father did not live a lifetime to enjoy his Rolex he died at the age of just 56.

Now IMHO WW11 did play a part in his short life Dad was in the navy on aircraft carriers dad lied about his age and as a coal miner in a reserved occupation he did not have to go to war but he lied about his age and was just 17 years old just still a boy but joined the navy to fight. He was on aircraft carriers HMS Furious and HMS Glorious.Now the Glorious was attacked by the German battle-cruisers, Scharnhorst and Gneisenau and a direct hit in her magazine caused her to sink.Out of a complement of of around 1500 men there were only 39 recorded survivors.My Father was reported missing,presumed killed in action.But was picked up by a Norwegian fishing boat, after being in the sea for almost 32 hours. returning from war back to working in the coal mines shortened his life I am sure.The Daytona now belongs to me but in my lifetime I would never sell it at any price. It just means to much to me, so when I look at the watch, in my mind I see my Fathers face with the proud look admiring his watch.Rolex watches are not always about £££$$$$$$ but something to enjoy and wear hopefully for a very very long life.Myself now in very poor health and today it saddens me how Rolex watches are thought of today as mostly nothing but £££$$$$

[Walster]

Very well spoken.

99% of the posts on this forum are rubbish. I wish the moderators would just leave the historical content and shut down the rest.

[MoStuff]

Originally Posted by Walster

Very well spoken.

99% of the posts on this forum are rubbish. I wish the moderators would just leave the historical content and shut down the rest.

Agreed. I think they should ban all pictures and what are you wearing threads. There are a million of them.

Rolex with car.
Rolex with coffee
Rolex in the water
Etc.

Also incoming watch threads.


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[Longhorn]

Beautiful story. Thank you for sharing.

[yngshr]

Lovely read, Peter. Great thread.

[beshannon]

Thank you Peter, hope you are well.

Your story is a great memory and reminder why wearing watches is the point. I want my son to know I wore the watches he will eventually own.

[PhilLynott]

One of the best threads I've read on this forum thanks for sharing.

[MTdweller]

Thanks for the post Padi. No watch is more special than one tied to a cherished relationship or memory.

[Ferrari308]

I hope that one day my kids look back upon my ownership with that same level of fondness.

Well written Padi.



PDG

[pchildre1]

Stunning watch, and awesome story. Thanks for sharing!

[MrGoat]

Love the story Peter!! Thank you for sharing!! Wishing you continued enjoyment with your dads watch!!


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[dawalsh]

Wow..What a story. Thanks for sharing.

[Tim Plains]

I hope you wear/use it.

[enjoythemusic]

Well said Peter, thanks for another excellent post.

[Blanch]

Excellent story.
My father was also Navy: San Diego.
Thanks for the story and Thank you to your father for his service.

[zoenatenich]

Great story, Peter, and thank you for sharing.


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[brandrea]

Thank you Peter. Your story is inspiring to say the least.

Your dad sounds like a lot of men from that time … cut from a different cloth.

I truly hope you continue on in good health and enjoy his watch and the memories it conjures up of your dad.

I wish I had something so precious as this.

Peace Peter

[amh]

Great story!

My FIL bought a Sub back in 1966. The original receipt shows it was $150. Now one might think "Wow a Rolex was so cheap back then!" But take a look at this military pay chart.... it was probably a large sum back then.

https://www.navycs.com/charts/1966-m...pay-chart.html

[GMTmastermind]

Awesome story. As a fairly recent rolex owner i see as an heirloom. I need two because I have 2 children. And you are right its not about the increased value its somewhat a tradition. Your father chose a good one! Paul newman daytona!!! Basically I live on forever through this watch for generations. However what saddens me about watches or heirlooms in general is that somewhere down the line someone wont care and just sell it for the $$$. I mean we see them all the time on pawn stars and pawn store shows, etc. I just hope when my watches are handed down they are handed down with a story good enough to not sell like your father's.

[fsprow]

Thank you, Peter. Your contributions to the forum are always informative and well thought out. I certainly hope for you improving health and a long life.

[Forty6nTwo]

Excellent read, thank you for sharing.


This is one of the reasons I am in pursuit of my 1st, to one day pass down to my sons, they know what a "hunt" is has been and will appreciate it even more.

[ttomczak]

Awesome post Peter, while my dad never had a Rolex, he had a bulova watch with a steel band (he was a pilot in the pacific and leather would deteriorate to fast). I treasure his like you do…

Thanks for bringing a smile to my face.

[EagleBear]

Thank you for sharing that Peter,
I agree there was a time when purchasing or receiving one meant more than the what is cost or what you can get for it. It is a moment in time that’s captured and that takes us back to that moment every time we take that piece out an wear it honoring that memory whatever it is. A Crown for every achievement not so much anymore right? Different times for sure thanks again.

[jets]

Amazing tale. Enjoy that wonderful watch.

[Leicaman]

Great post, Padi. Your dad sounds like remarkable man.

[Lightsped]

Definitely a good post!

[samuel019]

Absolutely fantastic write up and a message that has gotten lost over the years to some...

I think your Dad ended up with the better reference. That is an amazing Daytona but also sad he didnt get to enjoy more time with it. I'm sure every time you look at it you think of him.

[Solo118]

Peter thank you for sharing the story, I know I had read it before but it nice as a reminder what this brand means to me, and how it connects people etc.

These days, I show my (young) kids my watches, and say which one would you like when you are older and they do not even care to have them.


All the best Peter, hoping you are well

[RichM]

Great story Peter. Thank you for sharing your story with us.

[colpol]

Thanks for sharing a great story. Wasn’t aware you were in poor health. Wishing you the best