Surprise incoming after over 5 years!

[Rushne]

Hi all,

TLDR: Got a SS SkyDweller after putting my name down when it was released.

For those of you interested in the story...

I have known my AD for almost 10 years now and have bought a few watches along the way, all of which were wants that I actually wanted. No BS "portfolio builders" for getting higher up wait lists.

Back in March 2017 I went in and met an SA which I had never dealt with before, my usual SA (who now days is the manager of the store) was out to lunch. So I tried on the SkyD and had some pleasant chit chat with the new SA and asked if he could put my name down on the list (via email). His responses was "Of course, no problem, I have added you down for the Blue dial SkyDweller"

Great! I will play the waiting game.

In the meantime, many years have passed, I met my wife, a pandemic has come and gone, had a child. My AD (manager guy) came through with a Daytona for me with in a within a year for my daughters birth year (2021). Champion. I mean he has known me for years by that stage.

Anyway, I had basically written off the SkyDweller as I had never really mentioned it to my usual SA/Manager relationship and the SA that did take my details had moved on from the company.

Then out of the blue (pun may or may not be intended) I get an email from the back office staff at the AD 4 days before my Birthday.

"Hi! We have a Skydweller here for you which you are welcome to come see and try on. We will hold it for a week for you.
Please note: To be eligible to purchase this watch please provide a photo of your following 3 watches with serial number x, y and z visible next to a copy of today's newspaper."

To which I have two reactions. One of joy and another of... "What the hell?! You guys already know that I have these watches and haven't sold them"

Anyway, I head into the AD straight away to try the watch on. I meet the manager and he's like "I guess you got the email?" :D

"Haha yes exactly! I had totally written it off to be honest. But by the way, this newspaper thing, sounds like a Proof of life hostage situation"

"Hahah yeah sorry about that, I know you have your watches still but it's a new policy we have put in to save our butts"

"Fair enough. I have sent on my proof of life photo, so no worries"

So I then try the watch on to confirm the size fits as I hadn't tried one on in a good 5 years and tastes change of course.
I love it. Then schedule to pick it up on my birthday!

I traded in my 116710LN and paid the difference. I barely wore the GMT after getting the Daytona, so it felt unnecessary to keep it. They gave a very reasonable trade price (I could have sold it for a little more but couldn't be bothered, plus they prefer me to trade it to them)

So now I am a very very happy chap with a new Blue SkuDwell with a Jubilee bracelet . I even got the choice to and tried on the oyster first, but the jubilee just sang to me. Besides, both the Daytona and my wife's 36mm datejust (which I wear as well sometimes) have the oyster bracelet.

The AD even gave me a birthday gift of a lovely blue Rolex gilet / vest.

Now time for pictures!

[koetp]

Nice watch! big congrats

[koetp]

Nice gift as well.

[travisb]

Congratulations and Happy Birthday!

[fooey]

Great story! Happy birthday

Sent from my SM-G991B using Tapatalk

[Onequik135i]

Congrats, that blue dial really pops. Bet that GMT you traded sells quickly.

[Oystersteel92]

Ah, the old "today's newspaper proof of life." What will Hollywood do when newspapers are no longer printed? I still see far more payphones in movies than actually exist in the modern world.

Congrats on the watch.

[Watchesnguitars]

Big congrats! This is the 3rd time I've heard of someone needing to show their previous purchases to acquire the next piece.. Makes you wonder if they're finally starting to crack down on the bad guys...

[rmlovett1]

Big congratulations! Beautiful!
You’re way more patient than me…..no way I’m waiting 5 yrs. Life’s too short

[arcampado]

That’s a beautiful watch and a great story. Congrats

[Ichiran]

Congratulations and thanks for sharing the story!

[enjoythemusic]

major congrats and a VERY happy bday to you :)

[brandrea]

Congratulations and happy birthday

[1William]

Congratulations. Great watch.

[JSol1]

Stunning…congratulations!

[garyk]

Great post OP. Give us some hope. Congratulations to you on your life too! Wife, baby, Rolex watches and now the Sky D. Wonderful…

[Newt]

Beautiful. Congrats. I admit though more and more of these games, like your hostage thing, are starting to turn me off. Granted I’m on my 9th rolex(which I bought yesterday). Still. Sheesh.

[bluestreak]

Originally Posted by Newt

Beautiful. Congrats. I admit though more and more of these games, like your hostage thing, are starting to turn me off. Granted I’m on my 9th rolex(which I bought yesterday). Still. Sheesh.

We complain about flippers, we complain when measures are taken to prevent flipping.

That being said, probably easier to ask for pictures of watch with a time stamp and with a piece of paper with a randomly selected word next to the watch rather than a proof of life picture.

[tifosi]

Does anyone still get a newspaper??? That would suck if that would stop me from getting a Rolex. LOL

[EagleBear]

Congratulations great choice and I really dig the vest as well :)

[ap1]

Wow awesome, grats. Proof of photo thing

[just1time]

Cool Story....BIG CONGRATS

[Cigars&Watches]

Gorgeous. Congrats and thanks for sharing. Definitely worth the wait.

[medcoastsol]

looks great! congrats!

[Giovannibravo]

Congrats. I really want the vest now.

[MrMercedes]

Great watch! Big congrats and happy birthday!

[JRell]

Congrats - I want a Rolex vest!

[watch3r]

Originally Posted by JRell

Congrats - I want a Rolex vest!

Sorry, you’ll first have to buy two pairs of Rolex socks, a Rolex hat, and a preowned pair of Rolex boots before being considered for the Rolex vest waitlist.

All jokes aside, nice pick up OP!

[DoctorsOrders]

Big congratulations OP!! I have friend who has the same watch and its gorgeous, definitely THE Rolex to have. Probably harder to get than a Daytona!

[Rushne]

Thanks all for the kind birthday wishes!
It feels pretty special having the old birthday on the card, especially for such a pain in the behind piece to get.

It is quite large, but somehow feel great at the same time. The Daytona of course wears slimmer but it's just a different animal.
I feel like the small collection has a quite a range to it now days.

I do however, still love my Seamaster to absolute bits.

Feel like a Rolex hipster sometimes... "I was into my watches before they were hyped" haha

Originally Posted by Oystersteel92

Ah, the old "today's newspaper proof of life." What will Hollywood do when newspapers are no longer printed? I still see far more payphones in movies than actually exist in the modern world.

Congrats on the watch.

Right?! I had to specially go out and find a newspaper. Literally the first paper I had bought since moving to Sweden almost 10 years ago.

Originally Posted by Onequik135i

Congrats, that blue dial really pops. Bet that GMT you traded sells quickly.

No doubt! I contemplated keeping it, but it had always been on the chopping blocked to be honest, after the Aquanaut and the Daytona arrived, barely got any use, but hopefully it goes to someone that loves it way more than I did.

Originally Posted by garyk

Great post OP. Give us some hope. Congratulations to you on your life too! Wife, baby, Rolex watches and now the Sky D. Wonderful…

Haha thank buddy. Yeah it's been a hell of a ride since I put my name down for it. Honestly, time has flown.

Originally Posted by Newt

Beautiful. Congrats. I admit though more and more of these games, like your hostage thing, are starting to turn me off. Granted I’m on my 9th rolex(which I bought yesterday). Still. Sheesh.

I know. I can't quite find the words for what I feel about it. I like that they put up walls against flippers. But asking a long term customer to do it, I dunno, it just feels a bit off.

Originally Posted by tifosi

Does anyone still get a newspaper??? That would suck if that would stop me from getting a Rolex. LOL

I sure as heck don't!
I suggested that instead of a newspaper, get the person to write down a code which that specify. Saves the hassle of a paper.

Originally Posted by DoctorsOrders

Big congratulations OP!! I have friend who has the same watch and its gorgeous, definitely THE Rolex to have. Probably harder to get than a Daytona!

I have heard that many times to be honest. I wouldn't be surprised though considering it's the most complicated piece they produce. I think in the last 10 years I have seen 2 sky dwellers, even then I might be mistaken and it could be only 1. Gold though. Never seen a steel one.

I have seen two white Daytona's in the wild since 2016. Actually 3 if you include the exhibition piece I saw in Zermatt in 2019 which was the first I had ever seen in the metal.