a gift to for my boy ...

[watchgeek]

I've always wanted a 6538 big crown sub but wasn't in a position to acquire one. Recently, I had twin boys and thought that I would get each of them a gift for their 21st birthday and tuck it away for them (they are 5 months old right now). I thought I would get a 6538 for my boy Oliver and a PN daytona for Graeme. So the search started a few months ago ... as luck would have it a 6538 became available in Canada and I asked to see it. The gentleman who was selling was also a father of two boys and liked the idea of this watch as a gift.

I asked if he could write a letter to Oliver that I can give to him with the watch when he turns 21 years old. Here is his letter to my son (along with the pictures of the watch) :



P.S. while I've seen wonderful example of this watch on this site, this particular watch might not hold a candle to - but I fell in love with it (i know the bezel is probably later, but would appreciate your input on the quality of the watch)



Dear Oliver,



I hope this letter finds you well. Your father has asked me to write you a note to tell you what I know about your gift from him. As you can see it is an old watch. My guess is that by the time you receive it, it will be about 70 years old and you are very fortunate as this is no ordinary watch. Indeed it is a very special watch. You are holding a rare vintage Rolex model 6538 from circa 1958. It has a calibre 1030 movement in it. This watch is much sought after as it is the same model of watch as the one worn by Sean Connery when he portrayed James Bond in the 1962 film Dr No.



It is my understanding that the watch is in original condition and was owned prior to myself by a gentlemen who lived in Australia. It is obvious that he wore this watch for countless hours in the sun perhaps scuba diving or sailing because the dial on it shows a deep rich bronze patina. I have myself owned the watch for many years, saving it for something special though I had no idea what.



Recently word came to me that your father was looking for a watch such as this and it turned out that he had a special purpose in mind for it; that it should become a gift for you on your 21st birthday. And since I believe a watch like this needs purpose and deserves more than a solitary existence spoiled away in some dark locked box, I released it to your father. Albeit for a fairly tidy sum.



Once, a good many years ago while holding this watch and contemplating its lessons I was struck by five thoughts. I d like to share them with you with the hope that they might help you on your journey.



The first thought I had was of the beauty and art and emotion expressed by it. These are all the things that give our world life and colour and love. It is a reminder that we should paint the world as we go, returning the love that were given and sharing the love that we have to give.



The second though I had was for the marvel of engineering and human perseverance that made this watch possible. Boundless are the limitations of human mind and determined spirit combined. This watch should serve as a reminder that we must be the engineers of our lives, doing what is right in life and persevering to leave all things better than when we first came upon them.



The third thought that I had as I held this watch was of its value and the power of saving and investing. Surely without saving there is no future nor any prospect of security for yourself or your loved ones. Nor is there the ability to help the man who has stumbled that he to might go on to help others. This watch should serve as a reminder that wealth with conscience is a powerful gift.



Fourth, I thought that this watch represents the importance of practicality and purpose in our lives. There is an old saying that goes If you wish to travel far and fast, travel light. The same holds true in life. This watch should be a reminder to remain free of the burden of things that serve no good purpose, things rob us of our happiness, our dignity and our time.



Which brings us to the fifth and final thought that I had which was about time itself. This watch like all time pieces should serve as a reminder to us that time is the great equalizer and it is all we really have. In time all will be lost for each and every one of us but for the good deeds we have done. Your deeds of hope are your seeds of hope; plant them everywhere you can.



Remember Oliver, God winds our hearts but once, just how tightly is his secret. I hope you spend your time wisely and that your deeds carry both you and the lives you touch to great and wonderful places.



Wishing you well in your travels.



Sincerely,



XXXXXX XXXXXXXX

[watchgeek]

Graeme (left) and Oliver (right)

[Dan Pierce]

Congrats on all three! That Sub is from my birth year. Sure you don't want to send it to me instead of watching your kids fight over it??
Well done,
dP

[ippon20]

Man, that's an awesome story. That guy's letter showed tremendous wisdom in experience. You must share they Daytona when you get it.

[watchgeek]

thanks dan ... actually you were part inspiration to this ... saw your blue snowflake and got one for each ... i will take some shots with them wearing them

[watchgeek]

Thanks Dan ... of course my fear is that for Graeme's watch some guy is gonna write his note on a yellow sticky and say something like "my name is Bob, i like watches, don't scratch this one up"
i might have to get a ghost writer

[Subexplorer]

Dear Watchgeek :

I feel deply moved after reading your post.

You may know that I have posted recently that the so called Bond Sub, or no guard Sub, is what I consider my Grail Rolex (please see http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=69953)

I feel touched with your intention of presenting this marvelous watch to your son Oliver, when the time arrives. Hope you can find a matching watch, or the Daytona you mention for your other child too.

What this gentleman, the previous owner of this watch, expresses in his letter, is exactly what I would like to express myself, if my language were so fluid, and my mind so smart as to enable me to write it here.

What this gentleman wrote, is the escence of this piece, and the escence of good things of life.
Simple deep facts, inside a simple no-nonsense CLASSIC watch.

I sincerely wish your son will catch this escence when he receives this little marvell and I´m sure he will thank and appreciate your thoughfulness, in thinking in his future, and at the same time giving him a profound lesson about what is life and love about.

Your watch has the scars accumulated through a life span of honest use. Please try to keep its originality, and that interesting hue of its dial. All the way, a great piece!

I´ll keep looking after my Grial Rolex, wishing to find mine soon: the Great no guards Sub.
I sincerely congratulate you for this great idea, and to the former owner, a true gentleman, for his thoughts and letter. Thanks for sharing!
I wish all the best for you and your childs,
Sincerely, Abel

[watchgeek]

thanks abel,
i will post when i find Graeme's watch ... i happy that the story touched you ... it's nice to bring some humanity back to collecting

[Subexplorer]

Originally Posted by watchgeek

thanks abel,
i will post when i find Graeme's watch ... i happy that the story touched you ... it's nice to bring some humanity back to collecting

Thanks to you for sharing this story!
Look forward to hear from you getting that Daytona!
Itps really nice to appreciate what collecting is really about!
Best regards, Abel

[charliec]

Thanks for sharing this story my man.
As a father myself and one who has passed on watches to his son also, there is a certain history lesson that you want your child to connect to when receiving such a gift.
Whilst the gift should have no conditions attached to it one always hopes that the scars and wounds from the battle called life will somehow enrich the gift and elevate it to being not just a "watch" but something much more personal and meaningful.
Thanks again for sharing.

On a lighter note...... I presume you're going to get the initial 21 great years wearing it yourself though !!!!

[Alcan]

Wonderful gifts to your son, both the Sub and the letter.

[Dalton]

good move. You're def raising two gentlemen in the making.

[kyle L]

Yessir! Good man!

[TheVTCGuy]

WatchGeek, your story brought a tear to my eye and a smile to my face. My father recently passed, we didn't have the best of relationships, but enough on that subject, he was my father and I will always be grateful for the love he had for me. He always supported all of my goals and dreams, including my watch fetish, (not understanding it himself), but the first one I ever wore on my wrist was his Hamilton automatic. To this day, I'll never forget the night he gave it to me, I didn't realize it then, but it was a very special night I will cherish always.

Your boys are lucky, and in about 20 years and 8 months will have a very nice gift! My best to you and your family, health and hapiness.

[jaelyncruz]

That was very thoughtful of that man to write. I loved the last part, "God winds our hearts but once, just how tightly is his secret. I hope you spend your time wisely and that your deeds carry both you and the lives you touch to great and wonderful places." & YOUR BOYS ARE SO CUTE!

[OYSTERMANN]

Originally Posted by watchgeek

Which brings us to the fifth and final thought that I had which was about time itself. This watch like all time pieces should serve as a reminder to us that time is the great equalizer and it is all we really have. In time all will be lost for each and every one of us but for the good deeds we have done. Your deeds of hope are your seeds of hope; plant them everywhere you can.

Remember Oliver, God winds our hearts but once, just how tightly is his secret. I hope you spend your time wisely and that your deeds carry both you and the lives you touch to great and wonderful places.

Watchgeek, what wonderful twin boys you have and what a wonderful post, too.

The above points are indeed very profound. Anyone reading this delightful, uplifting letter to your son and, in time, Oliver himself, will surely be inspired and moved by such wise words.

[momac]

Congratulations on your boys and the watch. That is an absolutely touching letter. Your kids will be very happy and secure to have a Dad like you. Well done!

[watchgeek]

thanks to everyone for all their kind words

[Subexplorer]

Hi Watchgeek!

I was so touched yesterday, by your first post that I was compelled to write you inmediately, so I didn´t see the pictures of your cute twins in the first read.

Then I turned to read it again when I arrived home yesterday night, and saw the pictures.
I must congratulate you now for the babies, and wish all the best for this charming boys: lots of good health and happiness.
A great surprise is waiting for their 21st birthday indeed!!

Now, I was thinking that being twins, it would be a great idea if you can get "twins non guard Subs", though your Daytona idea is very attrractive too.
To get another similar Sub, would be very difficult of course, but one never knows. One of the many Collecting activity attractions, is the discovery and surprise factor.

As I told you, I read and re read your post and letter several times, at night and was delighted to do so, and think a bit about what this gentleman wrote.
And with your due kind permission, I will keep it in my computer file for future reading.

You don´t need to fear that the next seller wouldn´t find appropiate words to write about the second watch. These words written by the gentleman who sold you this first watch, applies to any second buy you will make in the future!.

Congrats again for these cute babies of you, and for your great idea and greates find. And thanks for sharing this great story and writings!
With best cordial regards, Abel

[watchgeek]

abel,
thank you for your kind words, i thought about 2 big crowns but didn't want one of them to be better (in the eyes of the beholder) than the other - so i picked 2 rolex icons - - that being said ... i have 20 years to find the second watch.

feel free to keep the letter handy, some real great life lessons are there

regards,
dan

[sirjohnbrian]

What a wonderful story. I have twins myself and they are now 4. I've already designated my Deep sea to one. I am on the hunt for my last purchased rolex for the other. I am also thinking of a Daytona. I'm already saving that letter for them.

[ocwatching]

THIS IS AWESOME....and its amazing that the seller spent time and effort on the letter...

GREAT story..and congrats on your boys...I know you will bring them up with an appreciation of the watches the the words in the letter...

[oneillba]

Thanks.

[ob1]

first of all congratulations. your boys are real little smashers! fatherhood is wonderful. you are a very lucky man. a word of warning though. my elder brothers are twins and try as my parents did to dress them differently etc, they always wanted what the other had. it might be a good idea to find another sub!

mark

[alant]

What a fantastic story! This is what Rolex is all about!

[Subexplorer]

Originally Posted by watchgeek

abel,
thank you for your kind words, i thought about 2 big crowns but didn't want one of them to be better (in the eyes of the beholder) than the other - so i picked 2 rolex icons - - that being said ... i have 20 years to find the second watch.

feel free to keep the letter handy, some real great life lessons are there

regards,
dan

Thank you Dan!!
Whichever model you will buy will be great. Your children will appreciate and value your intention and your presents, as well as that great letter, and will treasure everything all thier lives.
Thanks again for sharing. I´ll keep the letter in my files. Thank you!!
Kind regards, Abel

[Maxtor]

I met Dan recently at the first Toronto GTG (it was a small group... him and me... we are hoping to dramatically expand the group on our next go around).

Dan is a great guy and has a wonderful collection. He told me this story of the watch for Oliver and mentioned the letter that came with it so I searched up this thread to read the letter that came with the watch. I was blown away by it and so I am bumping up the thread in the hopes that others will read it and be as inspired by it as I was.

[Yazo]

Awesome story, letter and thought!!

[sleddog]

Originally Posted by Yazo

Awesome story, letter and thought!!

Agreed....One of the best threads I've read in quite a while!!
That letter by the original owner was just amazing........
Your sons should be proud!!

[BASSETHOUNDS]

Great idea and story . All the best to the boys and your quest for the PM