First Rolex

[jzzmn88]

Hi all,

Long time lurker but first time posting. I officially joined the Rolex club and couldn't be happier! However, it came in a round about way. My brother and I bought this 116234 DJ back in 2011 for my father's 70th birthday. My dad was so excited because it was his first Rolex and he proudly wore it wherever he went. He only got to wear it for a few months when he was tragically diagnosed with ALS, otherwise known as Lou Gehrig's disease. It's a disease which affects the neurons of the brain and causes the muscles in your body to gradually atrophy. As he grew weaker, he no longer had the strength to wear the watch and eventually gave it back to me. My brother and I couldn't figure out what to do with it so it was decided I would keep it safe.

At that time, my first inclination was to keep the watch and wear it. When I put it on my wrist, two things struck me immediately: it felt way too small and it was too flashy. I am a sport's watch kind of guy so I was used to larger watches and this DJ did not feel right on my wrist. My brother felt the same way when he tried it on. So back in the box it went, and sat in my safe for the last 5 years. There were many times over the years where I would take it out and try it on, but it never grew on me. I was tempted to trade it in for a Sub or GMT (and of course splitting the trade in proceeds with my brother) but could never do it.

This past Thanksgiving, in a conversation with my friend (who is a huge watch guy), we got into talking about Rolexes and eventually the conversation steered to the DJ. I mentioned not knowing what to do with it and the possibility of selling the watch. He told me, don't do it! You will regret selling it because it's your dads. Just try it out and wear it for awhile and see what you think.

So out of the box it came, had a local jeweler adjust the bracelet, and what do you know....it didn't seem so small when sized properly on my wrist. In fact, the 36mm looked perfect on me! The Jubilee bracelet is so comfortable and fit just right. The fluted bezel did take some time to get used to, but grew on me day by day and didn't seem as blingy as it did before. The dial is a beautiful shade of blue and adds some sportiness to the overall feel of the watch. I always thought the DJ was too dressy and only worn for formal occasions , but no longer feel that way. I have worn this with every type of clothing and it hasn't once felt out of place. It's been a month of daily wear, and I have grown to love this watch like no other. It has even taken away my longing for a Sub!

My dad is still alive but is completely paralyzed due to ALS and cannot talk because he breathes with a ventilator. While visiting the other day, I showed him the DJ while I was wearing it and he gave me a big smile. With this disease, I'm not sure how long he has to live, but at least I will always carry of a part of him while wearing this watch. So glad we didn't sell it and am going to keep it forever and pass it down to my son in the future. My brother recently got a Sub and he is extremely happy with it. He feels the DJ is still too small for him but he is ecstatic that the DJ will, for sure, be a part of our family from now on.

In the past, I couldn't imagine wearing this DJ. Now, I can't imagine NOT wearing it!

Kevin