What's a regular guy to do?

[TomGrimes]

Hello, new Rolex friends.
I've been enjoying this forum for awhile now. I've noticed friendly responses from longtime members to guys like me who are not collectors, not experts, not even close to being financially able to acquire watches that cost many thousands of dollars. I came to this forum because I happen to own a watch that I bought myself nearly forty years ago, and now I find that it's probably worth many times the original cost. It's scary to a regular guy like me. I only wanted to fix my watch so that I could wear it again. Now what do I do? It's a dilemma others may be experiencing, too. Maybe the responsible thing for me to do is to sell it. Maybe I owe it to myself to keep it and enjoy it. I'm currently awaiting its return from the venerable Bob Ridley. I'd appreciate hearing from any of you who cares to respond.

My watch is a previously un-serviced 5512 I bought new in 1974. I can't show you a picture yet as it is still reclining in the spa. I'm very anxious to get it back, of course, but what to do with it after that is my quandary.

Thanks for reading my story. Tom

[Scary Hat]

Originally Posted by TomGrimes

Hello, new Rolex friends.
I've been enjoying this forum for awhile now. I've noticed friendly responses from longtime members to guys like me who are not collectors, not experts, not even close to being financially able to acquire watches that cost many thousands of dollars. I came to this forum because I happen to own a watch that I bought myself nearly forty years ago, and now I find that it's probably worth many times the original cost. It's scary to a regular guy like me. I only wanted to fix my watch so that I could wear it again. Now what do I do? It's a dilemma others may be experiencing, too. Maybe the responsible thing for me to do is to sell it. Maybe I owe it to myself to keep it and enjoy it. I'm currently awaiting its return from the venerable Bob Ridley. I'd appreciate hearing from any of you who cares to respond.

My watch is a previously un-serviced 5512 I bought new in 1974. I can't show you a picture yet as it is still reclining in the spa. I'm very anxious to get it back, of course, but what to do with it after that is my quandary.

Thanks for reading my story. Tom

Tom:

I was in the same boat. I have a Submariner I bought new in 1977 that is now worth a lot of money. I am a regular guy, not made of money. My bottom line is this: I bought it and its my watch. I'm going to wear it and enjoy it. I believe you should too, unless you need to sell it for some reason, which you probably don't, based on who you sent it to get it serviced.


Enjoy it!

Tom

[dddrees]

I would say continue to wear and enjoy it as you have done already. I can't imagine anyone else who deserves that honor more than you.

[Deldog]

Regular guy here. One of many. Look at the bright side: You don't need to spend thousands on a watch. You already have one to enjoy!

Looking forward to some pics, Tom. Good luck. ... Deldog

[TomGrimes]

Deldog, dddrees, Scary Hat, you guys make me smile. Thanks very much. Sure glad to know there are other "regular guys"!

[Darlinboy]

Great story, thanks for sharing your thoughts here.

My two cents... It may be worth a lot in $$ terms to a collector, but that is certainly no measure of its worth and value to you.

I hope you will wear it and enjoy it in good health for many years to come!

[Rickster]

Sounds like a great piece. 5512's are my fav's. As far as what to do...? That's a tough one... If you think you want to start to wear it again then no question keep it. Just my 2 cents

[DCgator]

I'm with all those who say keep it and enjoy it - for another 40 years!

[TomGrimes]

Thanks a lot! I think I'll do just that!

[TomGrimes]

Your two cents is worth a bunch to me. Thanks a lot.

[JimSnyder]

It's stories like yours Tom that I enjoy reading about the most. Life is full of "if I'd have only knowns". Well now you know. Keep it, enjoy it and smile about it p.s. post a pic when you get it back.

[hdrazor251]

Wear it...enjoy it...pass it on to a loved one when your time is up. They will appreciate it.

Free advice from another regular guy.

[TomGrimes]

You fellas are terrific. With all of your encouragement, I've made up my mind to keep it and wear it because I do love the watch. All of you have helped me with this decision. I appreciate that, and I'm going to stick around as a proud member of this forum. I'll post pictures when my watch comes back. Thank you all!

[fusionstorm]

Congrats on having the foresight/luck of acquiring a timepiece that has increased noticeably in value since you originally acquired it! If you plan on wearing it with any regularity (and even if you're not), I'd recommend you get a quote or three for insuring it in case of loss or damage. Always nice to have the piece of mind that if something bad were to happen to it, you'd at least get a decent check.

[TomGrimes]

That sounds like a great idea. I hadn't thought of that. Thank you, sir.

[RolexWatcher]

Unless you need the money, wear it and pass it to the next generation.

[pusscadour]

I knew Rolex were expensive, but I never realised how much before I inherited mine and started to hang around on this forum. At first it did feel strange to have this amount of money on my wrist, and I did think that if I sold it I could finally have some savings and stop living in the red, but I knew it would be something I would regret.
I do like the security of knowing if I really got into a bad situation, I could get my hands on a few thousand quickly thanks to this watch, but here's hoping that never happens.

I would rather sell everything I own and possibly a kidney before I let this Sub go.

Pass it on when the time comes to someone you love, it will be appreciated generation after generation. Your legacy and memory will always live on through the watch. Your Rolex grants you immortality!

[RC2]

Tom. You will be amazed how many regular folks are here that just dig watches. Your not alone. Rich

[TomGrimes]

Originally Posted by RC2

Tom. You will be amazed how many regular folks are here that just dig watches. Your not alone. Rich

I'm realizing that now, Rich. It's really nice to know. Thanks

[threemonkeys]

My oldest (and most special) watch is 14 years old. I think it will be so wonderful when I can look back and remember when I purchased it 40 years earlier. Now that's a special watch.

[TomGrimes]

Originally Posted by pusscadour

I knew Rolex were expensive, but I never realised how much before I inherited mine and started to hang around on this forum. At first it did feel strange to have this amount of money on my wrist, and I did think that if I sold it I could finally have some savings and stop living in the red, but I knew it would be something I would regret.
I do like the security of knowing if I really got into a bad situation, I could get my hands on a few thousand quickly thanks to this watch, but here's hoping that never happens.

I would rather sell everything I own and possibly a kidney before I let this Sub go.

Pass it on when the time comes to someone you love, it will be appreciated generation after generation. Your legacy and memory will always live on through the watch. Your Rolex grants you immortality!

Passing it on to a loved one is just what I'd like to do, but I have four children. I'll have to figure out a way to be fair to all of them. I have no idea how to do that. I've struggled with this problem, believe me.

[Robbyvm]

it will come back as a real beauty Tom !
you are the original owner, that is something money can't buy... just enjoy having it and wear it with pride ! Don't worry about the passing on thing, in time you'll notice that not all of your children have the same interest in your vintage watch, the one that might have a passion for it should be the next owner, the others can be compensated otherwise right ?

[Kingair]

Not easy to take a decision in this case . . .
But wait until you got it back and you'll see what a beauty it has become.

Show us some pics when you got it back !
And maybe some older ones before it went .

Thanks

[jolimont]

If you have kids then save it as a heirloom!

[mailman]

I'm a regular guy too and I say unless you need the money, wear and enjoy it 5512's aren't seen too much

[Alcan]

Tom, you might want to contact Bob Ridley and ask if he'll take some photos of the watch during the servicing. Some of his before/in a million bits/after pix are really good. You'll see his trademark green background in many pix here.

[mike]

Hey Tom,

We're all regular guys. Some have been around for a while, but no one in the hobby is the be all, end all when it comes to vintage or modern watches.

Here's some thoughts as to what you might consider. Your 5512 is considered a treasured collectable to many in the vintage community. As such and with the experience of being serviced by Bob you could sell that watch for many multiples of what it cost when new. Heck you could even buy or come close to a new replacement for you 5512.

However; think of the history and memories you and that watch have. Nothing can replace that and I'd bet you'd look at your wrist and "remember when".

Consider as well what that watch might mean to your loved ones some day. The memories they have of you wearing that watch and the fun times had.

That Bob Ridley is servicing your watch means that when you get it back there's nothing you and that watch can't do that you didn't do before.

Not many things in life give so much back.

[Mark020]

Other option might be to sell it and buy a more recent sub in return. Thing is that if you don't dare to wear it, which I can fully understand, it might be a lot of money laying useless in a drawer.

[mailman]

Originally Posted by mike

Hey Tom,

We're all regular guys. Some have been around for a while, but no one in the hobby is the be all, end all when it comes to vintage or modern watches.

Here's some thoughts as to what you might consider. Your 5512 is considered a treasured collectable to many in the vintage community. As such and with the experience of being serviced by Bob you could sell that watch for many multiples of what it cost when new. Heck you could even buy or come close to a new replacement for you 5512.

However; think of the history and memories you and that watch have. Nothing can replace that and I'd bet you'd look at your wrist and "remember when".

Consider as well what that watch might mean to your loved ones some day. The memories they have of you wearing that watch and the fun times had.

That Bob Ridley is servicing your watch means that when you get it back there's nothing you and that watch can't do that you didn't do before.

Not many things in life give so much back.

Well said good buddy

[Frogman4me]

Can't wait to see it back from Bob! Looking forward to it and your decision on the watch.