From a Timex to a Rolex

[calemasters]

I am not sure why I like watches so much. I suppose it has something to do with the beauty of the mechanical complexity. Sort of a work of art integrated with mechanical genius.

Back in the early '60's, when I was 8 years of age, my aunt and uncle gave me my first watch for Christmas. It was beautiful. It was a Timex. The best Christmas present. Ever! To my young mind, my Timex was the best watch in the world.

After I had the watch for a few weeks, my Mom told me that while the Timex was a good watch, it was not the best watch in the world. I could not believe what I was hearing. I was angry. After all, John Cameron Swayze use to strap a Timex to the propeller of an outboard boat engine, and crank it up in a transparent tank of water. The Timex "took a licking and kept on ticking". How could any other watch company beat that?

I had a need to test the watch myself. I conducted several watch "drop test" at various heights,with the help of my sister. The Timex really could take a licking. Up to a certain height, at least. I had to know what made a watch tick. Inquiring minds want to know. With some difficulty, I was able to remove the back of the Timex. I was absolutely intrigued by what I saw inside the watch. I molested some of the internal parts and then reinstalled the watch back. I suppose I did not get the back fully seated because, as I found out the next day, the watch was no longer "water resistant". I loved my first watch. But at the age of 8, I was its worst enemy.

Since then, I have owned several watches. Each one special to me. Many Seiko watches, and a Tag Heuer [automatic] chronometer. The Tag was a very nice watch, but for what ever reason, it just never "did it" for me. I know it was because the Tag was a compromise. I wanted a Rolex, but settled for the Tag. I have learned not to compromise. Compromise does not work for me.

Fast forward to last Saturday. I, along with my wife and daughter, took a trip the the South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa, Ca. We had a nice lunch at the Rain Forrest Cafe. However, I was a little distracted, because I was on a mission. A mission to own a Rolex. Over the past several years, when passing by a jewelry store at the mall, if they had a Rolex displayed in the window, I would always stop and look. Some times, I would even go inside and ask to see a Submariner. The jewelry stores would have some Rolex models, but they were limited on their inventory.

Enter the "Flagship" store. A Rolex boutique, by Baron & Leeds. Rolex watches every where. Hundreds of them. I had never seen anything like this store. I was in Rolex heaven. It was like a dream. What a concept! They had models that I did not know existed. Of course, they just happen to have a 116613LB Submariner. Beautiful. Perfect in every way. How could I resist? I was treated with the utmost respect, and after about 30 minutes, I walked out with my first Rolex. I could not help but remember the feeling was very much like when I received my first watch. Only better.

As for the Rolex, I do not plan on conducting any drop test, or taking the watch apart. I like it just the way it is. And I am sure Rolex appreciates this.

Allen