Hello from Nairobi, Kenya

[BLNR Nairobi]

I have to say that I am exceedingly proud to be the new owner of a GMT II BLNR, which also happens to be my first Rolex.

I travel a lot (I am in private equity), and every time I passed through the Heathrow airport in London (London, Paris and Amsterdam are the main hubs one travels through when going from Africa to the States/Europe), I would go to the Rolex shop at the duty free and look at the Milgauss GV. When it came time to buy (one week ago), I learned to my horror that the black dial GV had just been bought and only the Z-blue was remaining. Still a beautiful watch, but not what I wanted.

So, I flew back home disappointed, but on a whim decided to have a look at the Rolex AD in Nairobi (something I hadn't done before due to - an incorrect - assumption that the prices would be significantly marked up. I have to say that the owner of the AD is a consummate gentleman, and not only did he take the time to take me through his watch collection, he was very patient and very kind). Not only did he have the black face Milgauss GV (as well as the Z-blue and the white face), but he had a good collection of professional SS watches. The usual sets of Subs and GMTs, as well as a smattering of Air Kings and Sea Dwellers.

And then he mentioned he had a BLNR.

I told the gent to reserve for me the Milgauss, and that I'd be back in three days. Days that I spent staring at BLNRs. Obsessing over BLNRs. Dreaming about BLNRs. And while the Milgauss is a great watch with a deep history, I suddenly realized that I hadn't thought once about it.

That's when I knew that I couldn't walk away from the BLNR, and that the Milgauss would unfortunately have to wait. Emphasis on 'wait.'

And thus, this past Friday, I became the new owner of a GMT II 'Batman.'

Saying I am happy would be an understatement.

I have to say thanks to the people on TRF who posted pictures of their watches, in particular their BLNRs. You all helped make my decision very simple.