Reunited with 1655

[rkjjeep]

Just picked my 1655 up from Dominique Wieland in Spring Lake, MI. Overhauled and new crystal. I've had this since new and wore it every day until a few months ago. Nice to have it back and looking good. Mr. Wieland was a joy to work with......doing exactly what I asked and nothing more or less.

[GeoGio Greece]

Enjoy

[NyOO768]

Beautiful! Enjoy my friend!

[PoderEsBueno]

Congrats

[Vincent65]

Still looks great!

[Presa canary]

Stunning.. I love that watch

[swish77]

Wow! Was that the first time you had it serviced since you bought it new?

[AS1]

excellent!

[rkjjeep]

Originally Posted by swish77

Wow! Was that the first time you had it serviced since you bought it new?

It's been cleaned and checked 3-4 times........it was worn daily for 37+ years

[brandrea]

Congrats,

[rkjjeep]

Question - the watchmaker said the lume was all there and in good shape. It clearly doesn't "lume" any more. How long does it usually last? I don't miss it, just curious. Thanks.

[sea-dweller]

Looks great!

[jdmi32]

That's some serious history you have with that 1655. Love that it's your every day watch. The lume on your dial would have been noticeably dimmer after about a dozen years or so, and pretty much nonexistent after another dozen.

[Beaumont Miller II]

Congrats on a great watch. I know your happy to get it back.

[rkjjeep]

Originally Posted by jdmi32

That's some serious history you have with that 1655. Love that it's your every day watch. The lume on your dial would have been noticeably dimmer after about a dozen years or so, and pretty much nonexistent after another dozen.

I probably noticed that it had lume when I first got it and camped out a lot.....I can vaguely remember checking it at night to see what time I was "leaving the tent" after a few too many adult beverages.. Not as glamorous as cave diving, I know.

[strafer_kid]

Very nice piece - classic!

[Frosty]

Very nice!

[rkjjeep]

So far it seems to be working perfectly. Gains about 3 sec/day. I don't think it was ever this good. I have a receipt that shows it being sent back to Rolex just a few months after I received it new.

[Daytona4130]

OP- I'd love to hear about how you bought it. Why did you choose that model? What drew you towards it? It's a real beauty!

[JJL]

Awesome watch!! Continue to enjoy it in good health!

[Frogman4me]

Welcome back, thanks for sharing. Enjoy

[rkjjeep]

Originally Posted by Daytona4130

OP- I'd love to hear about how you bought it. Why did you choose that model? What drew you towards it? It's a real beauty!

My father bought me the 1655 to motivate me to finish high school. I was not the best student. He had bought my brother an Explorer two years earlier and returned to Dearborn Jewelers (MI) to get the same watch. The story is that he ordered the Explorer but when he went to pick it up they talked him into the 1655 that had been sitting there - maybe for two years. He picked up the watch in April 1976 and paid $650 cash - I have the receipt, papers, and boxes. On the same day, he bought my mother a new ladies 6916 that the jeweler had marked down to $300 (from $475?). Anyway, he took the 1655 and when he presented it to me at HS graduation he was a little apologetic and said he could exchange it for an Explorer if I'd rather have that. I knew right away that I wanted to keep the 1655.

I knew nothing about Rolexes and wore this watch every day....thru life as a fork lift driver and mechanic. I just checked my "Rolex box" and the 1655 is on it's 5th bracelet and 3rd crystal (I think). Everything but the bracelet, crystal, crown, tube, and seals is original. I just had it overhauled and it looks great and keeps great time. I am an engineer near retirement age and enjoying the watch more than ever.

I didn't do any reading about it, and didn't know what the value was until just recently. It doesn't really matter - I'd never sell it - my father is gone and I think of him every time I look at the watch. I also have his Rolex Oyster that my mother gave him for Christmas in 1954 - she spent her entire life savings of $95 to buy it at the PX in Guam. And I have her 6916 - never worn in the box, but just serviced by Rolex for age. Now if I could just get the Explorer away from my brother... Thanks for asking!

[jdmi32]

Fantastic. Thanks for sharing that great story.

[franklin]

That's a wonderful story.

[SpeedShift]

Originally Posted by rkjjeep

It's been cleaned and checked 3-4 times........it was worn daily for 37+ years

Thats how a Rolex should be worn. Cheers!



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[rootbeer7]

Great watch and story

[Rogdogg]

Wonderful life story of a great watch. I love that you wear it every day and will continue to do so despite now realising what it's now worth. I hope you get many, many more years of enjoyment from it

[watchcrank]

Now that's how they are to be worn��. You can search forum for info on tritium longevity.
Good that you did not have re-lumed as hurts value. M

[nocrown]

beautiful story.

[skprd13]

Wow congrats my friend! Original owner gotta love it!