16618 telepahty ? Strange coincidence for sure

[Trimapa]

Seriously , I have to admit it has given me food for thought .
Allow me as briefly a possible explain all this .
A couple of weeks ago I , because I needed to renew my identity documents , opened my little wall safe . I had there the "16618 without the bracelet" I have posted about over the last weeks . I decided I should do something with this otherwise nice watch .
I ended up taking it to a Rolex dealer and decided to have it serviced and polished . Now I was looking for a proper bracelet or alternative because I can't afford to spent the money on a new 18K bracelet . I even started thinking of selling or part exchange for a SS model .
This watch was given to me , not by close family but by a neighbor . Yes , not common for sure but true .
In 2010 an elderly Welsh couple moved in next to me after they had to sell their villa on the "posh" side of town . I understood that some sort of "Madoff" situation cleared out their savings .
The man's already fragile health deteriorated very quickly and because I speak some english sympathized with them and ended up doing their garden , driving him to hospital for tests , grocery shopping and the odd repair works whenever I could .
6 months after having moved in he went back to the UK for more tests but never returned , the poor fellow died the same year .
The lady returned only to terminate the rental contract and clear out the house . I arranged help and most of the stuff was sold locally . Friend of mine offered to drive back the bits of furniture she really wanted to keep .
They never had children ,only she had a daughter from a previous marriage but were on very bad terms .
The day I took her to the airport , she handed me the little box , which wrapped in silk paper contained the 16618 . ( I can only presume they sold the bracelet for the gold )
She said that she knew that Charles would have wanted me to have this . You can imagine my surprise !
Anyway , it not having a bracelet I could not wear it . Not being a watch fanatic I just buried it in the safe till a couple of weeks ago .

Here is the strange bit : Each year I received a beautiful Xmas card from the lady and I always called her to wish her the best for new year .

So last evening , as I was here on the forum on about having seen that Deepsea on thursday etc ..
I decided to give her a call to let her know that I finally decided to service the watch and get a bracelet for it so I could wear it .
She had been living with with her sister ever since and by calling I learned that the lady passed away just over two weeks ago : The very day I sent the watch of to be serviced .

Strange coincidence , no?

[bardm]

Shure makes you wonder. Nice story.

[eightbore]

Given this nice story, it only reinforces my opinion that you should keep and wear (daily) this watch. If anyone at work gives you a hard time about wearing so much bling, tell them this story. Forget about buying a bracelet for it and forget about trading it. These people clearly thought of you like a son. Keep it as you would any heirloom and sport it on something like the below.. as a reminder of that woman's kindness.

http://www.crownandbuckle.com/straps...chocolate.html

[travisb]

Good story and nice memories behind that watch.

[HogwldFLTR]

It is funny how things sometimes work out. You might consider some of both their souls being in that watch. I wear my deceased father's wedding band as he died before I was married. My mom gave it to my wife to give to me. It has both set's of dates and initials engraved inside. A very sentimental piece of Jewlery.

[Fiery]

Great story there. You should definitely keep the watch, even if you only wear it on the weekends. Get a black leather strap or Isofrane rubber strap for it, don't bother with the bracelet.

[ltmgeller]

Good story

[bridgs]

Love the story. Hope you can enjoy and hang on to the watch as long as possible. Would love to see some pics if you get the time.

[Racerdj]

A great read for sure. I would try to wear it and enjoy the memories.

[cop414]

Wow, that made me shiver, I'd never get rid of that watch.

[AK797]

As I said before keep the watch and fnd a nice strap for it, it will look great and will mean something to you.

[sebastien1975]

A nice leather strap would do the work. Definitely a keeper

[Starbucksboss]

Don't ever send for another service!...

[Trimapa]

Originally Posted by Starbucksboss

Don't ever send for another service!...

Funny you should post this , my own first reaction last night was : Maybe I should have left the watch in the safe .

It makes me look at the watch from another perspective : I never was the sentimental kind of guy , and even less superstitious one but I think I owe them to find the watch a bracelet , wear it and keep it .
I know very little about these people , apart from their names , where they originated from and some details of their life , nothing .
I really didn't do more than what most decent neighbor would do for an elderly couple in their position . Where she was very discreet , he was outgoing and had a great sense of humor . The software was up to date but the hardware couldn't handle it anymore as he used to put it himself .

Yes , I shall keep the watch ! What else can I do ?

[Starbucksboss]

Originally Posted by Trimapa

Funny you should post this , my own first reaction last night was : Maybe I should have left the watch in the safe .



It makes me look at the watch from another perspective : I never was the sentimental kind of guy , and even less superstitious one but I think I owe them to find the watch a bracelet , wear it and keep it .

I know very little about these people , apart from their names , where they originated from and some details of their life , nothing .

I really didn't do more than what most decent neighbor would do for an elderly couple in their position . Where she was very discreet , he was outgoing and had a great sense of humor . The software was up to date but the hardware couldn't handle it anymore as he used to put it himself .



Yes , I shall keep the watch ! What else can I do ?

So...Im superstitious so I'm being a little tongue in cheek. Why don't you see what you will be offered for the SD you liked?
Ps...you were a wonderful neighbour!


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[nickb732]

Oh, that's a nice story, but kinda sad. Hope you can wear the watch.

[Kingair]

Get the watch serviced but not by Rolex !

There are a few people out there who will do a better job and don't swap parts like dials and hands

Get yourself the correct 18k Oyster bracelet

It will not be that easy but they are out there for sale . . .

Just be patient

And than you'll have a really gorgeous Rolex

I would never sell it if I received it

But that's just me ;)

HAGWe



Sent from my SM-N900T using Tapatalk

[Trimapa]

Originally Posted by Kingair

Get the watch serviced but not by Rolex !

There are a few people out there who will do a better job and don't swap parts like dials and hands

Get yourself the correct 18k Oyster bracelet

It will not be that easy but they are out there for sale . . .

Just be patient

And than you'll have a really gorgeous Rolex

I would never sell it if I received it

But that's just me ;)

HAGWe



Sent from my SM-N900T using Tapatalk

It is at Rolex official service Madrid as we speak , the Rolex dealer recommended this ( he would of course ) because it will give an invoice and warranty .
Of course I'd love to have an all original 18K bracelet with this watch , but I really can't afford to spend the 5K these things seem to fetch . My budget at the moment is about 1000 euro at most .
I'm willing to spend the 600 euro service and another 400 euro for a bracelet .
Selling or trading it for a SS model was my best bet till yesterday . Now , I'm more inclined to keep it because I feel it's morally the right thing to do .

[kilyung]

Great story. Hope you get it restored and wear it.

[luvsub]

Great story! Wear the watch with the right bracelet. Or trade for a SS model that you really like.

[Kingair]

We'll if you ever wanna trade . . . send me a PM

I am all ears !

HAGWe

[michel33]

Treasure this watch, find the correct gold bracelet, wear it. Nice story.

[14060m]

Great story

[Chainring]

Touching and interesting story. Shows the kindness of the woman but also reflects on the quality of your character as well. I hope you keep the watch as a reminder how important kindness is.