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#1 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Real Name: Jason Graham
Location: UK
Watch: Something vintage.
Posts: 306
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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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#2 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Real Name: tom
Location: northern ireland
Watch: my fins
Posts: 10,063
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wow.
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#3 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jan 2012
Real Name: Jeff
Location: Indianapolis
Watch: Seiko SBDX001
Posts: 256
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Living on a ledge, just past the edge... |
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#4 |
TRF Moderator & 2024 SubLV41 Patron
Join Date: Dec 2007
Real Name: Ken
Location: SW Florida
Watch: One on my wrist.
Posts: 64,006
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Great story Jason and what a fantastic find too-- congrats!
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SPEM SUCCESSUS ALIT |
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#5 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Europe
Watch: Movies
Posts: 4,531
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Awesome story! Wear it in good health
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#6 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: May 2010
Real Name: Dan
Location: USA
Watch: This N That
Posts: 34,253
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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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When it captures your imagination, that's when you know you have found your passion. Loyal Foot Soldier of The Nylon Nation. Card Carrying Member of the Global Association of Retro-Grouch-Curmudgeons |
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#7 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: South Florida
Posts: 3,438
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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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- Rolex Explorer - 214270 - Tudor Black Bay - 79230B - Tudor Chronograph - 79270P - Breitling Chronomat - 10th Anniv. - Huguenin Freres Speedmaster Prototype |
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#8 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: London
Watch: Quite a few
Posts: 4,315
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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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#9 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Real Name: Jason Graham
Location: UK
Watch: Something vintage.
Posts: 306
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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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#10 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: USA
Watch: Not enough ;-)
Posts: 21,232
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Great story and an amazing watch !
Nice condition ! Love it Thanks for sharing HAGW ![]() |
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#11 |
Banned
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Maryland
Posts: 6,268
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Congrats Jason, what a stunning example! Enjoy my friend.
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#12 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Feb 2009
Real Name: TSW
Location: Le Brassus
Watch: Rolex & AP's
Posts: 27,449
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Great story!
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AP Owners Club IG @swiss.watch.connection |
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#13 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: UK
Posts: 180
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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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#14 |
Banned
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: USA
Watch: 1680 Red
Posts: 694
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WHooaa!! Story made my jaw drop
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#15 | |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Real Name: Jason Graham
Location: UK
Watch: Something vintage.
Posts: 306
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Thanks everyone for the kind words - its been a special few days and nice to be able to share.
Quote:
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#16 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Aug 2008
Real Name: Eric
Location: Hong Kong
Watch: 1665
Posts: 1,495
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Awesome find Jason! Well worth the trip.
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_____________ All GREEN |
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#17 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Real Name: Judd
Location: Pennsylvania
Watch: 36 and under
Posts: 323
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Very cool. Thanks for sharing that great story!
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#18 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: England
Posts: 134
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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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#19 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Sep 2009
Real Name: Rich
Location: NC
Watch: Rolex 1675
Posts: 2,359
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Jason. Wow. Great find story is special. Rich
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Rich Member of Nylon Nation Red Sox Nation Instagram watchguy97 |
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#20 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Peterborough
Posts: 9,631
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Incredible story, watch & pics. Many congratulations Jason
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#21 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: USA
Posts: 2,615
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Wow is right. Beautiful watch and great story. Thanks for sharing.
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#22 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Piedmont, CA
Watch: various vintage
Posts: 2,272
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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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1680 MK II 2.2M (my daily); 1655 MK IV 8.1M (my 1st vintage); 16660 x 4 - 8.0M spider & matte 7.4M, 8.0M, 8.0M; 16610LV F MK I/MK I; 116528 Z; 14060 M COSC; Tudor 75090 Gone.....never forgotten: 14000 F, 14060 V COSC, PAM 048, 16623 F, 1680 MK V 3.1M, 16800 matte 8.3M & 1655 MK IV 7.4M |
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#23 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Real Name: John
Location: Australia
Watch: Depends on mood.
Posts: 9,536
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#24 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Here and there
Posts: 12,485
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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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Fine Quality is Long Remembered After the Pain of Spending Money is Forgotten |
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#25 |
TRF Moderator & SubLV41 2024 Patron
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: .
Watch: 126610LN
Posts: 35,510
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Great watch and story
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JJ |
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#26 |
Banned
Join Date: Sep 2011
Real Name: -------
Location: -------
Watch: ---------
Posts: 12,609
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I would have swam there for that watch
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#27 |
Banned
Join Date: Jan 2010
Real Name: Steve
Location: UK
Watch: Rolex Seadweller
Posts: 253
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Fantastic watch and a very emotional story, thanks for sharing.
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#28 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Apr 2009
Real Name: Jeremy
Location: Louisiana
Watch: Rolex
Posts: 2,732
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I love post like this.
Thanks for sharing. P.S Very nice example!
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As a man is, so he sees. As the eye is formed, such are its powers. William Blake |
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#29 |
Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Real Name: Marc
Location: Ontario, Canada
Watch: 1965 SS Datejust
Posts: 35
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Thank you for sharing!!
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#30 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Penang
Posts: 246
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One of best post in this forum thanks for sharing....
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