Life is Short....A Consolidation

[Maiden]

Hello all. I thought I would share a story, a part of my watch journey. It will be a little different than a some of the threads on here, probably a little longer, and hopefully not too personal. In any event I just want to share.

Like many here I have been a watch enthusiast since I was a child. I have owned many great watches over the years and about 10 years ago I was fortunate to get in that place in life where I had a good career, finances were all in place, and I could purchase more expensive watches, many of which were Rolex. I had built a core collection of three great watches, a 114060, 116613lb and a day date 18238. This was a great spot for me, these watches were owned free and clear and it was a value amount that I personally was "comfortable" with in having money tied up in watches. I could spend more but this is what worked for me. I appreciate this is different for everyone. Sure there are some other watches I desired but all in good time.

Last July I was diagnosed with cancer. After an 8 hour surgery I was told that due to all the additional disease I had, my previous high probability of a 5 year survival (I am 52) was off the table. I needed to wait for further biopsy results, and if they were not favourable I was looking at maybe a year.

Quite a blow, and during that time of course one does a lot of thinking of all the things they have in their life and what they have to be thankful for. Watches of course are way down the list. The time did come though, when I thought what I would do with my small collection, who would I leave them to? Sell? In any event in the process my wonderful wife made it clear that if there was ANY watch I wanted I could purchase it.

I did some thinking about this and maybe strangely enough, I thought No? I do not want a bucket list watch. I was proud of and probably should be much happier with what I have instead of lusting after other watches. So I made a deal with myself that if the biopsy results came back in my favor I would purchase a "grail" watch, a watch I have always wanted to own more accurately, and fund it by moving two from my collection. Not a penny more. This watch would be worn proudly and it will be the "fight" watch as I would still have a heck of a battle ahead of me.

I am happy to say the biopsy results came back in my favor. Still cancer mind you, but not the aggressive untreatable type. So the quest begins....Firstly the watch. For me folks it is the five digit gold submariner, reference 16618 LN. I own six digit subs and love them but for the gold this is MY love. Second what do I sell, well I moved on my beloved day date 18238 and my mint GMT 16713 (I recently acquired the GMT plus cash for my 116613lb) The challenge, the proceeds must fund the gold sub. Not a penny more.

I have been looking for more than 6 months, its been a challenge. I am in Canada and its a touch place to buy a gold sub especially at the price I needed. It generally looked like I was going to be about 1-3k shy based on pricing. I pulled out all the stops, trusted sellers, visited Florida and looked everywhere but no dice in my price range. I was looking for a clean example that I could wear everyday. I didn't care about collectability, condition was king. Service dial and bezel and working lume, fine by me!

Anyhow I was getting impatient, my wife was on board with me adding a bit of extra cash to get clean example but I wanted to keep the deal I made with myself. Well finally my friends, on Monday I found an excellent condition P serial 16618 from a reputable Toronto dealer. I couldn't believe it, great condition, tight bracelet, wow. He did a fantastic deal with me and I was able to purchase the watch for less than the sum of the sale of my previous two watches! There was one little hitch though, it was a serti dial. This is where this hobby is great though and the people are great. I spoke to my local independent dealer (who was working like heck to find me a clean 16618) and he is going to swap the bezel and dial out for me to the LN plus give me cash as the serti dial has more value! A win win.

So that is my story guys, I have enclosed a few pics of the serti dial as we all know threads need pics. I look forward to posting pics of this as LN in a couple of weeks. So I have consolidated down to a two watch collection, a 16618 and a 114060...and I couldn't be happier. I have been truly blessed, and I wish the best for you all.

[42itus]

Keep fighting! That's a beautiful watch and I truly hope you enjoy it and wear it in great health!

[DaVinci Watches]

Happy to hear the results came back in your favor and congratulations on the watch!

Enjoy it!

[Tommyk]

What an amazing journey! Thank you so much for sharing your commitment to your goals as well as to yourself. God bless and a really inspiring story that likely wont leave my mind today. Cheers!

[*M5]

Great story, sending positive vibes your way!

[KBM]

Firstly, so very happy to hear your desease is treatable and that you are in the right spirit to fight it and WIN! I wish you all the best going forward, so you may enjoy life and your loved ones for many years to come.

Secondly, congrats on getting the sub! May it bring you joy through this diffcult time and be a reminder of your strenght to overcome this challenge.

Cheers, friend.

[sousukef]

Stay strong and I’m hoping that you beat cancer! Thanks for sharing your story and the watch is beautiful!

[037]

Glad to hear things are turning positive. Keep up the fight.

[dtwer]

Live and love every minute of your life, brother.

Exercise and eat all natural ingredients; give your body all the weapons it needs to fight.

Hang in there.

[CDNWatchNut]

Thank you for sharing your story...wishing you strength and courage! Congratulations on your grail watch

[dchernikoff]

Awesome story - congrats on the diagnosis and the watch. Hope looking at your beautiful "new" sub every day inspires you to fight even harder and beat this! My sister-in-law is a cancer survivor (10 years now in remission), it's hard but it can be done. Prayers and best wishes your way.

-Dan

[DonnieD]

Never give up! That's a beauty for sure

[billfredericks]

Kick that cancer’s ass, buddy. The forum will be here as a nice distraction as you get the job done.

[kieselguhr]

I am glad to hear that you are enduring against cancer. I am also glad to hear that you have such a positive outlook on it despite the circumstances. Congratulations on obtaining a dream watch May you enjoy it for many years to come friend.

[Simon_jrees]

Keep on fighting bud! I'm glad to hear that you're news was positive. Congratulations on the watch!

[sager]

Thanks for sharing.

Stay strong and positive. I admire your strength and energy.

Oh yeah, great watch

[-Ally-]

Congratulations on the watch.

I hope you enjoy it for a long time yet.

[BigAppleBill]

Thanks for sharing your story. It serves as a poignant reminder about what’s most important. Fight on!

The gold five digit sub is a terrific choice. It also makes a gorgeous dress watch if you put it on a black strap. Enjoy it and enjoy every day with your family!

[vivicorsi]

All my best to you. I can imagine what you are going trough. You do the things that make you happy, that’s good! Lots of good thoughts to you and your family!

[MrMercedes]

A great Story! Congrats and have fun!

[zoenatenich]

Great health news and story. All my best to you, and keep up the fight.

[alex.cicollo]

Originally Posted by sousukef

Stay strong and I’m hoping that you beat cancer! Thanks for sharing your story and the watch is beautiful!

+1


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[alex.cicollo]

Originally Posted by kieselguhr

I am glad to hear that you are enduring against cancer. I am also glad to hear that you have such a positive outlook on it despite the circumstances. Congratulations on obtaining a dream watch May you enjoy it for many years to come friend.

+1


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[Cru Jones]

Yes a watch is just a “thing”, but it can have so much meaning. Thank you for sharing your story. I wish you all the best with much health and happiness to enjoy all the good things.

Looking forward to seeing the finished product. :-)

[envuks]

And a serti dial as well! Great watch! Enjoy it and best of luck in your health journey ahead! Be strong and keep up the positive attitude


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[t65tampa]

You've already won in having a sweet and supportive wife. Best wishes to have an excellent recovery. Life's short and you should have fun along the way, but sounds like you've got a good perspective on things.

[NachoNeal]

So much nicer to read instead of the typical "incoming"!

[Milgauss Mike]

Great story and thanks for sharing - keep fighting and glad to hear the initial results were in your favor.

[Watchflair]

That's awesome man! Congrats on the good news and watch pickup! Keep fighting!

[Richard Carver]

Very best of luck to you!