ROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEX

johng · 15 April 2011, 11:47 AM

1970 Pleiku Air Base , Republic of South Vietnam. In the PACAF base exchange. Stainless steel, can't remember which model but they were selling for under $200 through the BX. Unfortunately I chose a Seiko. Been kicking myself ever since.

tomallen · 15 April 2011, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lagunatic

The first contact with Rolex was 1973, I saw an ad in Guns and Ammo magazine. It was a GMT Master. I saw the submarine hatch how it kept the grit and moisture out of the watch, it looked like a heavy duty watch. It was a big-game hunting ad. I was a fan for life until recently, now I am a fan of Casio, ha ha.

I remember that ad and thinking if a Rolex is good enough for a PH in Africa I should have one. I couldn't afford a GMT but the Air King precision worked well for many years.

CyberPaol · 15 April 2011, 06:08 PM

Obviously...a 14060M

GeoGio Greece · 15 April 2011, 11:42 PM

I was 14 ( back in 1967 ) when passing by I first saw a Sub in the window of the Athens AD.

I fell in love, I really do not know why, and that love still goes strong today !!

At the time, Rolex was not known, I did not know what it represented, SEIKO and CITIZEN, ΩMEGA, TIMEX and VENUS were at that time the best sellers, I only knew I wanted this specific BLACK sporty watch. I promised to my self to buy one, some day.

I started collecting ALL my pocket money, I worked in gas stations during summer vacations, and on my 18 th birtday, in 1971, i walked in the AD and purchased my first Sub.

The rest is history....................

rolexsweep · 16 April 2011, 01:51 AM

being able to hold onto my brothers date just for 5 seconds and feeling the weight and staring deep into the watch, since then always lusted for a rolex.

axjimenez · 16 April 2011, 04:03 AM

MY uncle had a Pepsi. I always loved the Pepsi GMT (now I just need to source a bezel and make the switch and I am there!)

buke45 · 16 April 2011, 04:28 AM

My dad had a 1680 sub since before I was born and he would let me wear it around the house from time to time since I was very young. That's when the  affair started with the brand.

Explorertwo · 17 April 2011, 01:03 AM

What a great thread this is !

My first contact was at the age of 8 or 10. My best friend showed my his fathers' i think it was a DJ, (the best i remember is the cyclops) it was very special because his father had passed away by a car accident.. I thought it was very special, and i still do. My friend ( still is) hasn't got the watch anymore..... I think he lost it, it' s painfull, so we don't really speak about it, I really feel sorry for that.
So i bought my first when my son was born, then bought my wife one to pass over to my daughter and bought myself another in case it gets lost, robbed or whatever.. I really want to pass this beautifull watch on to my kids, which have been wearing for ( hopefully) many years.... I wished i've had one my dad had been wearing in the past!
Cheers!

mjm800 · 17 April 2011, 01:13 AM

My first contact was an old man (the CEO Banker type) he had on a gold DJ it was hideous and he was disgusting. My father had a meeting with him and for some reason I was brought along I remember staring at the watch and I didn't like it or him.

I was maybe 9-10 I remember after that Rolex to me = gross overindulgence (not that my 10 year old mind could process that) but it stuck with me when I became older I still thought Rolex had one model the big gold ugly thing.

Boy was I surprise to learn that gold was not the only option and I did not have to be a corporate fat cat to wear one.

Christiaan · 17 April 2011, 02:22 AM

I first noticed my Godfathers Datejust when i was about 12 years old...

speedracer5.0 · 17 April 2011, 02:42 AM

SS DJ that my Dad bought while serving in the Navy!

Badfish179 · 17 April 2011, 07:14 AM

I was a teenager in the Navy on a Submarine. Some of my buddies were going to the Exchange on Diego Garcia to buy Rolex watches. I'd never heard of them. They invited me to go and told me the watches were $500. I had the money but I said no because I thought that it was crazy to spend that much for a watch. They came back with these beautiful watches. I then decided to go get one but it was too late. We were pulling out. I regretted that decision for the rest of my life, but, now I have more Rolexes than I have wrists so I have no complaints.

RedBaronF2001 · 17 April 2011, 07:26 AM

My uncle, a Vietnam War veteran, picked up a Submariner after his tour and he wears it daily. I've always been enamored with it and he has only had it serviced once or twice and it still runs well. I believe I first noticed it in the early 80s.

I have wanted a Submariner ever since I spotted his.

Tri-National-Man · 17 April 2011, 07:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moviefreak

Old National Geographic magazine ads...

Loved those 1970s National Geographic Rolex ads..!!

S52 · 17 April 2011, 10:56 AM

Chuck Yeager magazine Advertisements while in middle/ high school...

15 April 2011, 06:08 PM	#33
CyberPaol "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Real Name: Marco Location: Italy Watch: Rolex and Omega Posts: 267	Obviously...a 14060M __________________ 14060M (no C.O.S.C.) * 16610LN RRR * 126610LN * 216610LV * 16710 Pepsi * 126710 BLRO * 116520 White Chromalight * 16570 Polar * 226570 Polar * 126334 Vivid Blue jubilee * Moonwatch 3861 hesalite

15 April 2011, 11:42 PM	#34
GeoGio Greece "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Real Name: George Location: Athens, Greece Watch: es --> A lot ! Posts: 2,327	I was 14 ( back in 1967 ) when passing by I first saw a Sub in the window of the Athens AD. I fell in love, I really do not know why, and that love still goes strong today !! At the time, Rolex was not known, I did not know what it represented, SEIKO and CITIZEN, ΩMEGA, TIMEX and VENUS were at that time the best sellers, I only knew I wanted this specific BLACK sporty watch. I promised to my self to buy one, some day. I started collecting ALL my pocket money, I worked in gas stations during summer vacations, and on my 18 th birtday, in 1971, i walked in the AD and purchased my first Sub. The rest is history.................... __________________ Rolex owner since 1971. 5513 and 16700 the loved ones. DJ WG Jubilee 16170 for wife - U series Oyster Perpetual WG 177234 for daughter V-series

16 April 2011, 01:51 AM	#35
rolexsweep "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Australia Watch: RG DD40 Posts: 1,149	being able to hold onto my brothers date just for 5 seconds and feeling the weight and staring deep into the watch, since then always lusted for a rolex. __________________ "Did you get that at retail?"

16 April 2011, 04:03 AM	#36
axjimenez "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Real Name: Alex Location: Arlington, Va Watch: ALL OF THEM Posts: 1,705	MY uncle had a Pepsi. I always loved the Pepsi GMT (now I just need to source a bezel and make the switch and I am there!) __________________ “It is better to lead from behind and to put others in front, especially when you celebrate victory when nice things occur. You take the front line when there is danger. Then people will appreciate your leadership.” Rolex 114060 Omega SMP 2531.80 Vintage Omega - no idea but dad's watch

17 April 2011, 01:13 AM	#39
mjm800 "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: USA Posts: 1,950	My first contact was an old man (the CEO Banker type) he had on a gold DJ it was hideous and he was disgusting. My father had a meeting with him and for some reason I was brought along I remember staring at the watch and I didn't like it or him. I was maybe 9-10 I remember after that Rolex to me = gross overindulgence (not that my 10 year old mind could process that) but it stuck with me when I became older I still thought Rolex had one model the big gold ugly thing. Boy was I surprise to learn that gold was not the only option and I did not have to be a corporate fat cat to wear one. __________________

15 April 2011, 11:47 AM	#31
johng Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Minot ND Posts: 227	1970 Pleiku Air Base , Republic of South Vietnam. In the PACAF base exchange. Stainless steel, can't remember which model but they were selling for under $200 through the BX. Unfortunately I chose a Seiko. Been kicking myself ever since.

16 April 2011, 04:28 AM	#37
buke45 Banned Join Date: Jun 2010 Real Name: Juan Location: Ponce, PR Watch: Your Butt Posts: 1,464	My dad had a 1680 sub since before I was born and he would let me wear it around the house from time to time since I was very young. That's when the  affair started with the brand.

17 April 2011, 01:03 AM	#38
Explorertwo "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Real Name: Tom Location: Lowlands Watch: White 'n Black Posts: 641	What a great thread this is ! My first contact was at the age of 8 or 10. My best friend showed my his fathers' i think it was a DJ, (the best i remember is the cyclops) it was very special because his father had passed away by a car accident.. I thought it was very special, and i still do. My friend ( still is) hasn't got the watch anymore..... I think he lost it, it' s painfull, so we don't really speak about it, I really feel sorry for that. So i bought my first when my son was born, then bought my wife one to pass over to my daughter and bought myself another in case it gets lost, robbed or whatever.. I really want to pass this beautifull watch on to my kids, which have been wearing for ( hopefully) many years.... I wished i've had one my dad had been wearing in the past! Cheers!

17 April 2011, 02:22 AM	#40
Christiaan "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Real Name: Christiaan Location: Fort Mill, SC Watch: 67' Breitling Navi Posts: 1,617	I first noticed my Godfathers Datejust when i was about 12 years old... __________________ "Give me the luxuries of life and I will willingly do without the necessities" Frank Lloyd Wright. "For once you have tasted flight you will walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward. For there you have been and there you will long to return." DaVinci

17 April 2011, 02:42 AM	#41
speedracer5.0 "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Real Name: Joel Location: Bel Air, MD Watch: 16623 16200 126610 Posts: 114	SS DJ that my Dad bought while serving in the Navy!

17 April 2011, 07:14 AM	#42
Badfish179 "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Real Name: Snook Location: USS Bluefish Watch: Pam24, Seamaster Posts: 883	I was a teenager in the Navy on a Submarine. Some of my buddies were going to the Exchange on Diego Garcia to buy Rolex watches. I'd never heard of them. They invited me to go and told me the watches were $500. I had the money but I said no because I thought that it was crazy to spend that much for a watch. They came back with these beautiful watches. I then decided to go get one but it was too late. We were pulling out. I regretted that decision for the rest of my life, but, now I have more Rolexes than I have wrists so I have no complaints. __________________ Truth will rise above falsehood as oil above water. - Miguel De Cervantes

17 April 2011, 07:26 AM	#43
RedBaronF2001 Member Join Date: May 2008 Real Name: Chris Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 575	My uncle, a Vietnam War veteran, picked up a Submariner after his tour and he wears it daily. I've always been enamored with it and he has only had it serviced once or twice and it still runs well. I believe I first noticed it in the early 80s. I have wanted a Submariner ever since I spotted his.

17 April 2011, 10:56 AM	#45
S52 "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: FL230 Watch: me fly-by Posts: 789	Chuck Yeager magazine Advertisements while in middle/ high school...

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