Incoming...and rather long first post

[Simon_jrees]

Originally Posted by Oystersteel92

Hi guys. I've been reading this forum for at least a couple years now, but haven't registered until now, because I have an incoming to share. First, a little background...

I became obsessed with clocks and watches and the history of timekeeping in general as a young man. Somehow, watching TV in the 80's, the name Rolex was burned into my brain as "the best." When I got my drivers license, the very first place I drove by myself was to the local AD, where they gave me quite an education, and I was dismayed to find that while Rolex was the best, the best is EXPENSIVE. I seem to remember a plain DJ with a smooth bezel and Oyster bracelet being around $2,500.

Fast forward to the late 90's, I'm in college in a very small town in the middle of nowhere, and the internet is still new to most people (AOL coasters anyone?) but the online watch community and interest in mechanical timepieces is blowing up. I devoured the online communities which only stoked my desire, and I was obsessed with the idea of buying a Submariner. My little college town happened to have a tiny AD with a single 5 foot display case for Rolex and around 15 watches at any given time. Mostly steel with a few TT on occasion. Back then, they had just started given credit cards to college students--who were thought to be a good risk and an opportunity to secure a lifetime customer--and while I only had $500 or so in the bank, I had a $6,000 credit limit. I had been poking around a no-date sub for several weeks when I walk in one day and sitting right there in the display case was a white dial Zenith Daytona. Even then these were very difficult to obtain and could be sold for a nice profit. As I recall it was $5,100 and I bought it right out of the case. Kept it for a week, most of which I couldn't sleep worrying about how I would pay for it, then sold it for $6,100, which after tax netted me about $600. Everyone that knew about it thought I was a real baller for scoring some quick cash, but for me, it became the one that got away.

Fast forward 20+ years. I've been through a lot of financial troubles, including being flat broke when I moved for my first job, and losing that job in 2005 when heavily in debt. Started over, worked my way up in a new company, lived below my means and paid off my debts. Met a great lady who grew up poor and was willing to live below her means too, and made a pretty secure little life for ourselves. Because we're frugal and have been through a lot, we don't really play in the stock market except for retirement accounts.

Last Thursday on my lunch hour, when things were starting to look pretty bad and the wealthier people I know were really starting to moan about it, I took a chance and went in to my local AD to see if they had any stock. It was better than it had been in late January, but the only thing close to a SS sports model was a TT YM2. I chatted up the sales rep, told him I was in the market for a white dial Daytona and that I figured with things getting bad, people might start saying "no" when they were called, and that I had cash and would not say no. He told me that they get calls from out-of-state about high demand models everyday, but that the owners preferred to do business with locals whenever possible. He asked me if there were any models other than the Daytona I wanted and I gave him a couple more I might be interested in, but would need to see in person.

Friday, the wife and I took a day off to knock around a bit before everything shuts down (the virus hasn't really hit here yet), and we're in a craft store when my phone rings. It's the sales rep, saying that a shipment had shown up that morning from Rolex with three watches, one of which was a black dial Daytona, and it was mine if i wanted it. Needless to say, I drove right over and after seeing it in person and trying it on, I knew I never wanted it to leave my wrist. (If you're wondering what the other two watches were, they were a Deepsea and a TT Sub, and he said every shipment from Rolex was like Christmas because they never knew when they would show up or what was in them.)

My photos are not great, because I have a cheap phone, but I included the obligatory car shot. Not in balance as you can see, because I drive a 19-year old Honda. Told you I was frugal.

Welcome. Congratulations on landing a Daytona!!!

[Singslinger]

Welcome to TRF and congrats on getting the Daytona!

[Oystersteel92]

Originally Posted by Wobbly

Congratulations on the Daytona.

I hope your “great lady” gets something nice soon.

The Daytona was not my first Rolex. I got a great deal on a 1601 Datejust a few years ago (Champaign pie pan dial, jubilee bracelet) and last year let RSC Dallas work it's magic so it's pretty pristine. I sized the bracelet and she has taken it over, so she did get something fun out of the deal! She's 6 ft tall, so hardly dainty and it looks really good on her.

[TruthBalance]

Congrats!

[samson66]

Terrific story and watch. Congrats and welcome to the addiction

[just1time]

Nice...great story. Congrats.
About the rep saying every shipment from rolex is unknown, I highly doubt that. They pay Rolex for these watches. They know whats coming for sure.

[igibliss]

Nice story congratulations ��

[nyyankees]

Great story and big congrats!


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[1William]

Congratulations.

[Director EDTF]

Congrats!!

[sgwatchguy]

Welcome and congratulations! Thanks for sharing your story :)

Enjoy that amazing watch.

Cheers


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[911_3.6]

Congrats.

That’s a great first Rolex and I hope you enjoy it for many years

It is beautiful and I bet you stair at it all day.

[djdo83]

great story and congrats

[Michael T]

Congrats.

[Odie-r]

Love when this kinda story happens. Welcome officially, and congrats on your Daytona!

[watchmework]

Congrats and welcome to TRF!

[Db7566]

Congrats!!!

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[rmlovett1]

Great catch! Love the black dial, congratulations!

[mimo5000]

Great story, thanks for sharing! Congrats on the awesome Daytona!

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[DonnieD]

Enjoy a great pick up

[Danny83]

Congrats

[travisb]

Very nice! Congratulations and welcome!

[Avs Fan]

Great story! and congratulations!

[Zyfon]

Congrats. Wear it in the best of health.

[00Seven]

Great story. Congrats!

[Santiago79]

Fantastic man, congrats and enjoy

[judson]

Wonderful story. Wear it in good health.

[Fleegle]

Great post. Congrats.

[wlchuccc]

congrats

[woof]

Thank you for sharing your story. I'm in the SF bay area which we just been ordered to shelter in place. This story made me happy. Super congrats on your new watch. Enjoy!!