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Old 22 April 2012, 02:11 AM   #1
964RS
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Some Days Simply Don't Get Better Than This!!

My passion for Rolex sports watches has always been full to the brim.

It is a journey that has taken me from passionate collector to more recently (still passionate) collector/dealer.

But I will always be a collector foremost and nothing beats the finding of something special and the excitement of your heart racing when you have in your hands something new and breathtaking.

This week that excitement reached a new level for me and in all honesty I'm not sure will ever be surpassed - but I will always have the memory of a special few days.

The journey started by plane (with propellers(!) - it has been a while since I was on one of them) to an island on the remote islands of the Outer Hebrides off North West Scotland.

Basically the middle of nowhere...




Deserted would be an under statement. You can spend a long time without seeing a human being or a car on the road.

You do see the odd very old fishing boat though....





Flights in and out are not very regular so you have to stay over...and this just made the anticipation worse! I knew what I was going to see, but until you see it in person you just never know - pictures were not hugely convincing but I held out hope.

The following morning I met a lovely young family. I'd spoken to them on the telephone quite a bit and knew this was going to be a bit special for all of us. The watch was the girls dad's who sadly passed away from Parkinsons disease 4 years ago and had left the watch to his son-in-law dieing 2 days after the wedding :(

The dad had bought the watch new and worn it every day of his life. It was an important memory for the girl of her dad and I'd told them weeks before she needed to think long and hard about selling it.

But they had decided that the money was more use to them now as they were looking to emigrate to Australia and start a new life with new memories (Jed they are coming to get you!).

Taking the watch apart I have to say I was almost shaking with anticipation of what hid under the badly scratched plexi.

What I found didn't help my blood pressure one bit!


There was no way I wasn't going to buy the watch, and after their mum agreeing to the sale by phone we spent a good few hours talking about their past, their plans for the future and the exciting journey ahead of them.

That day I gained a watch but also some people I know I will always stay in touch with and I can add to my list of friends. Good luck to you, never give up and I know that dream will come true!















oh the watch?






Just a one owner, box and papers, early MK2 Double Red 'Tropical' Sea-Dweller :)


With a dial to die for.....

(apologies for the dust)






















Oh, and I know I'm a 'dealer' now but sorry it's not for sale.

It will never be for sale.

Don't even ever bother asking! :)

This one will be a two owner watch until my kids are having a similar discussion.... ;)
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Old 22 April 2012, 02:20 AM   #2
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wow.
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Old 22 April 2012, 03:38 AM   #3
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Quote:
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wow.
That about sums it up. All other words fail me.
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Old 22 April 2012, 02:22 AM   #4
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Great story Jason and what a fantastic find too-- congrats!
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Old 22 April 2012, 02:26 AM   #5
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Awesome story! Wear it in good health
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Old 22 April 2012, 02:27 AM   #6
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Great story Jason.

Great find, and it sounds like you've made some new friends to boot.
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Old 22 April 2012, 02:29 AM   #7
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Fantastic post...thank you for sharing your journey with us....


And a HUGE CONGRATS ON THAT TROPICAL BEAUTY!!!!
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Old 22 April 2012, 02:54 AM   #8
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Fantastic story and unbelievable find. Just love the DRSD and to find a Mark II is amazing

Huge congrats Jason..... Well done and I won't bother saying enjoy it and I can feel from your post that you're still smiling
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Old 22 April 2012, 02:56 AM   #9
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Cheers everyone.

The watch's past and story is a huge part of it's importance to me. Most of my keepers have special stories behind them (I find it gives watches added character) but this one is just that big step more special and a nicer young family you couldn't wish to meet. I'm on a mission now to make sure they realise their dream (I'd loved to have done it but our 3 kids are all at school and we've probably missed the boat so to speak) and really looking forward to helping them along the way :)

Don't think a watch has ever made me feel so emotional and so glad to be part of the story. We've been texting each other regularly for the last 24hours since I got home. It's weird how sometimes you can just hit it off with people instantly :)
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Old 22 April 2012, 03:13 AM   #10
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Great story and an amazing watch !
Nice condition !
Love it

Thanks for sharing

HAGW

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Old 22 April 2012, 03:18 AM   #11
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Congrats Jason, what a stunning example! Enjoy my friend.
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Old 22 April 2012, 03:41 AM   #12
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Great story!
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Old 22 April 2012, 03:53 AM   #13
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Perfect. Just out of interest how did it get the tropical dial? It's not the brightest place on earth where you picked it up. Did the owner travel or live in another part of the world at some point, or is my knowledge of tropical dials all wrong. Nice to see the watch continue its journey in good hands. Enjoy.
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Old 22 April 2012, 04:17 AM   #14
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WHooaa!! Story made my jaw drop ...out of the sadness of their loss comes new hope for a new life, aided by your sincere purchase of a truely wonderful watch with a wonderful history.
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Old 22 April 2012, 05:38 AM   #15
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Thanks everyone for the kind words - its been a special few days and nice to be able to share.


Quote:
Originally Posted by simonmcc View Post
Perfect. Just out of interest how did it get the tropical dial? It's not the brightest place on earth where you picked it up. Did the owner travel or live in another part of the world at some point, or is my knowledge of tropical dials all wrong. Nice to see the watch continue its journey in good hands. Enjoy.
Simon the mk2 dials are known for going light brown/chocolate and it seems it doesn't matter where you are. My friend has a very light brown one that came from a hotter climate but it seems it is the change in the pigments in the paint over time on the mk2 dials that is what turns them tropical rather than necessarily climate. Climate seems to just progress it further or faster!
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Old 22 April 2012, 04:09 AM   #16
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Awesome find Jason! Well worth the trip.
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Old 22 April 2012, 04:21 AM   #17
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Very cool. Thanks for sharing that great story!
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Old 22 April 2012, 04:41 AM   #18
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Lovely, really really nice and a nice story.

Wish I had watches like this appearing in my shop, most exciting rolex I have had through the door recently was a 14060
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Old 22 April 2012, 07:42 AM   #19
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Jason. Wow. Great find story is special. Rich
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Old 22 April 2012, 02:23 PM   #20
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Incredible story, watch & pics. Many congratulations Jason
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Old 22 April 2012, 02:54 PM   #21
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Wow is right. Beautiful watch and great story. Thanks for sharing.
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Old 22 April 2012, 07:49 PM   #22
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Wow wow wow!! Tropical MKII DRSD with b&p. That's a grail of a grail right there for just about anybody!! Congratulations!
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Old 22 April 2012, 07:54 PM   #23
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Beautiful watch and awesome story. Thanks for sharing!

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Old 22 April 2012, 08:10 PM   #24
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Beauty!!
Is it all original? The hands seem lighter with less patina than the dial... This is something I've been noticing a lot recently.on.these vintage pieces
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Old 22 April 2012, 09:32 PM   #25
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Great watch and story The lugs are crisp on it and the dial is just Congratulations
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Old 22 April 2012, 11:59 PM   #26
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I would have swam there for that watch
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Old 23 April 2012, 01:05 AM   #27
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Fantastic watch and a very emotional story, thanks for sharing.
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Old 23 April 2012, 01:14 AM   #28
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I love post like this.
Thanks for sharing.


P.S Very nice example!
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Old 23 April 2012, 01:34 AM   #29
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Thank you for sharing!!
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Old 23 April 2012, 02:09 AM   #30
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One of best post in this forum thanks for sharing....
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