A wait of 15 years in the making

[Pam673]

You a good good man!!!

Wish there are more people like you in this world!

[MikeHendrick1978]

thanks for your note this am.

[MrGoat]

You’re an inspiration Mike! Thank you for sharing your story and reminding us all that kindness is so rewarding! I hope a Rolex finds its way to you in due time. I have found unfortunately later than you that every cent I give away comes back exponentially.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Leicaman]

Very heartwarming story.

You’ve chosen a great watch. I got the BB36 about a month back and absolutely love it. I‘ve found that the Crown & Buckle Chevron strap is a great alternative to the bracelet. Hope the watch brings you lots of happiness.

[Robf52]

That's a very heartwarming story; life certainly takes us by surprise. You are a good man and all the best to you.

[CaptT]

Originally Posted by MikeHendrick1978

Thanks.....By the way, noticed you were from the Bay Area....Love that part of the world so much...Many good friends live there.

Yeah, the Bay Area is a great place overall, but a little messed up right now.

I can imagine the “pin drop” moment at your AD, and I’m drawn to your story as I have been looking to gift a Rolex after realizing my “collection” is more than complete. Perhaps my next “incoming” will actually be an “outgoing”. Cheers.

[MikeHendrick1978]

Originally Posted by CaptTed

Yeah, the Bay Area is a great place overall, but a little messed up right now.

I can imagine the “pin drop” moment at your AD, and I’m drawn to your story as I have been looking to gift a Rolex after realizing my “collection” is more than complete. Perhaps my next “incoming” will actually be an “outgoing”. Cheers.

CaptTed: It was such a joyful experience to give....I can't tell you the feeling I had of joy to be a conduit of being a gift to someone.....Are you in the city itself or in one of the surrounding communities...Hoping to move there in the near future with a friend's business.

[Leicaman]

Here are a few pics of the Crown&Buckle chevron on my BB36.

[MikeHendrick1978]

Looks awesome on the watch and the watch looks amazing...can't wait to get it.

[broham84]

Originally Posted by MikeHendrick1978

I don't think I will be in a place for several years before I could afford a Sub. Thank you for your thoughts. Pardon my ignorance I see people refer to whales on here. I know you are not referring to the animal but what is a whale?

Ballers, people with deep pockets

[MikeHendrick1978]

Originally Posted by broham84

Ballers, people with deep pockets

Thanks appreciate your response...

[alex.cicollo]

In that case I’m a teeny weeny betta fish!

[Speedbird-1]

I hope this story is true.......

[MikeHendrick1978]

Of me giving the watch away? It is true......

[RoscoPico]

Originally Posted by MikeHendrick1978

So back this week in 2005 I bought my first and only Rolex Submariner non date at the young age of 27 having saved up money for it. I enjoyed the watch immensely and ended up giving it to a gentleman on a trip to England in November 2006 that I had met on the trip. He was a minister who had gone through many challenges in life and didn't have a lot of extra money to his name. Little did I know at the time, his car was needing to be replaced as his wife had a bad hip and they needed some extra cash to buy another car. The watch helped him pay for the car and I enjoyed a friendship with this gentleman from England. Over the years we would talk on the phone and over email and he always would remind me how my gift was so thoughtful and allowed him to get a good vehicle for him and his wife.

Fast Forward to this week. I got an email Tuesday morning that my Tudor watch had arrived.. Back in January before the pandemic really hit, I ordered a Tudor Black Bay 36mm with a blue dial on steel bracelet. At the time of visiting them, I was told by my AD that they would not know when it would arrive as Rolex couldn't give a timeline. That was fine with me.

Also this week, I just felt a inner prompting to call the gentleman I had given the Rolex Sub to. I called him and got his wife. She sounded emotional when answering the phone. Her husband had recently passed away about 5-6 weeks ago and she was so needing a call of encouragement. I was shocked as the last email I had received from him was he was going in for surgery .

It's funny to see how timely this watch is...I would have never guessed 15 years ago buying my first Rolex, giving it away just over a year later to someone....then after 15 years getting another Tudor the same week that I bought my first Rolex and finding out that the man I gave mine to had passed....Life is sure interesting.

I'll post pictures once I get the watch on Saturday.

Heck of a story that ! What a great character and patience you have, admirable

[MikeHendrick1978]

Here is one of my first pictures of the watch....more to come

[snyde]

Originally Posted by alex.cicollo

You’re a very special person Mike. This had me tearing up. What a beautiful story, from a beautiful person. Thank you for sharing. x


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Surprised me too when my eyes started welling.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[MikeHendrick1978]

Glad it encouraged you :) I love being a person of encouragement to people :)

[MikeHendrick1978]

Originally Posted by PatekSF

Just maybe a very wealthy and generous participant on TRF will return the generosity you showed back in 2005 ... never know ...

That would be one experience I would be undone by I am sure. if it happened I'd almost hope it was a Milgauss Z-Blue. That is the only Rolex that I want to own as the colors are so unique. But if it never happens...it's all good.

[Subterranean]

What an absolutely fantastic story.your new Tudor watch looks amazing 2..good things happen to good people...your generosity is admirable..

[MikeHendrick1978]

Originally Posted by Subterranean

What an absolutely fantastic story.your new Tudor watch looks amazing 2..good things happen to good people...your generosity is admirable..

Thanks: The Tudor is fun to wear and it has some substantial weight to it.