Why I own a Rolex...(a long-winded post)

[Chad C.]

The other thread got me thinking about why I own a Rolex and I thought I would share my story. Some of it is personal but it does all relate back to the watch (eventually). My apologies for the loquacious post! LOL

Since I was nine years old, I had dreamed of owning a Rolex. My infatuation with this watch came from my father and mother who both wore them at that time. As a young boy, I remember trying on my father's massive watch, a watch so big on me it could fit around my forearm. My father often talked about the craftsmanship and quality of his Rolex Daytona. Even at such a young age, it was an object of desire. His friends, too, owned these coveted watches and I remember looking at them in awe. During these times we were what I would consider to be privileged and could afford the finer things in life. The finer things I came to love.

A few years later, however, my father lost his high-paying job, throwing my family into high financial pressures. Eventually, when I was in tenth grade my parents divorced and my mom became a single-mother struggling to raise two rambunctious teenage boys. Now my mother, previously a stay at home mom, worked long hours as a secretary and attended school at night, struggling to make ends meet. She worked from 7 a.m. - 5 p.m. every day, then attended school from 6 p.m. - 10 p.m. every night, while studying on the weekends.

After barely graduating high school I attended the local community college, finished my AA degree and transferred to a private four-year institution. I took out considerable loans to pay for it and so did my mother. Yet, it is here I found a passion for cultivating the intellect and somehow managed to graduate with honors. After a couple years of working, I went back to school and received a graduate assistantship to complete my Master's degree. During this time, my mother finished school and built up an incredible business for herself. With all of her savings, she bought a duplex on the beach, which has turned out to be an amazing investment. Through her hard work she has bought another rental property and lives not far from these two properties now. She, through her hard work and determination, has made herself a success.

Back to the watch (I told you I would make it back to it LOL). During all these years, she never sold her Rolex. She had it for over twenty years. However, she found herself wearing it less and less and thought it could be put to better use. Therefore, we traded in her TT DJ, for my own Rolex. Its history, now passed on to mine. The rest of the money no doubt came from part of her inheritance from her parents passing away years ago. Though her inheritance was not a lot of money it is an impressive sum when you consider my grandparents were incredibly hard working blue collar people who managed to pay off two homes in their lifetime. This tradition, their hard work-ethic, passed down through me from my mother is represented in this watch. Two lifetimes of sacrifice - one of her parents, the other of a single mother - embodied in the stainless steel structure on my wrist. A gift for having been accepted into a PhD program four years ago. As a first generation college student and one who barely graduated high school this was a considerable accomplishment! LOL

Had I not received this precious gift, it may have been years or decades before I ever purchased one myself. It was a difficult gift to accept. But knowing my mother, it was not an option, she knew how long I have loved these watches and would have purchased one anyway. We went to an AD and I did little more than pick the one that looked right on my wrist. I tried on all that were there but this one just felt right and looked right. I have had it for almost five years now and each day I find I appreciate it and cherish it more. This is my everyday watch, well, it is currently my only watch. One which I will keep and cherish forever.

Honesty, integrity, determination, belief in yourself, and a little elbow grease goes far in this life. My mother is living proof of that - she embodies these tenets. She is a true role model to me and this watch represents so much more than a timepiece. As for my mother, she is finally being able to enjoy her success that was accomplished by all her hard work and struggles.

Last year my wife and I gave birth to identical twin boys. One will inherit this watch and the other will inherit the next Rolex I purchase (more than likely a GMT IIc). I hope this tradition continues in our family. It is not just about “a watch” to me it is what the watch represents.

To own a Rolex is a privilege and every Rolex has a story. I own a Rolex Explorer. This is our story.

Thanks for taking the time to read my very long-winded post.

Best,

Chad

[Prince]

Very nice story, Chad!

I can't believe how parallel our educational histories are. I never received an AA degree - just the coursework necessary to enter a university. Everything else is a carbon copy!!

[chris russell]

Thanks for posting it.

[Dan2010]

Originally Posted by Prince

Very nice story, Chad!

I can't believe how parallel our educational histories are. I never received an AA degree - just the coursework necessary to enter a university. Everything else is a carbon copy!!

Yes, very similar to my story minus the growing up with the finer things in life and my parents having Rolexes of their own. I grew up poor but the struggle is very similar. The purchase of my first Rolex this year at age 36 was a celebration of that struggle and my success in finally "making it" as well as celebrating the first year of my little girls life.

Nothing like a little struggle to help you appreciate the finer things............like a masterpiece like a Rolex.

[Chad C.]

Thanks all! I completely agree - the struggle makes you appreciate it so much more!

BTW, Prince - though I live in Indiana now - I grew up in FL and lived in Jacksonville for a number of years. What I wouldn't give to be in St. Augustine right now enjoying a cigar and a beer!

[Iron Dealer 1]

A fine story. Thanks for sharing. Like the ad says " A Crown for Every Achievement"

[jimbones43]

Great story!! We are shaped by our parents! I am thankful for mine! My dad would never have dreamed of a Rolex being a hardworking depresson era child. I have 3 thanks to my parents leaving me better off than they, which was always their goal for their kids!!

Thanks for this great post!!

[MitchSteel]

Great write up Chad.

[tkc324]

Very nice write up Chad!

[jekuo]

Great story. We each owe a lot to our parents and those others who paved the way for us.

[Nicolas]

Nice story, thx for sharing

[Rolesor]

Awesome story - thanks for sharing!

[jevans41]

Great story. A tradition unlike any other.

[Prince]

Originally Posted by Chad C.

Thanks all! I completely agree - the struggle makes you appreciate it so much more!

BTW, Prince - though I live in Indiana now - I grew up in FL and lived in Jacksonville for a number of years. What I wouldn't give to be in St. Augustine right now enjoying a cigar and a beer!

Indeed! So you know my alma mater - the University of North Florida! BA in Education and a Masters in Educational Administration and Supervision.

Well, come on back down to St. Aug! I'll treat ya to a cold one (or more)!!

[Prince]

Originally Posted by Dan2010

Yes, very similar to my story minus the growing up with the finer things in life and my parents having Rolexes of their own. I grew up poor but the struggle is very similar...

Yep, that's my story as well, Dan. I always dreamed about Rolexes when I saw the ads in National Geographic magazine, but figured our circumstances would not allow for that. Even after my wife and I became financially independent, I was reluctant to indulge my dream of owning a Rolex. But... once I bought my first pre-owned one, I decided that the time had finally come, and I got three more, as well as one for my wife - all pre-owned, but pristine.

Life has been, and is, good!

[scarhead]

Chad,
Very eloquently said. Since coming to this forum I've found that many of the members have very similar stories. As another member said your story is very similar to mine, with the exception of my parents owning a Rolex or other expensive watch, but the education and life experience is almost spot on. I've been meaning to post something about this and your post gave me this opportunity. I don't want to hijack your thread, but rather add to it.

A few months ago I purchased my first Rolex from a member here on the forum. I always wanted a Rolex, but I wanted one to represent a significant milestone in my life and a model that I truly liked. So often, I hear stories or meet people who have a Rolex just to say they have a Rolex and it isn't one they really like. I bought my GMTIIC as a birthday present to myself. When I went to my AD (actually my former AD, but that's a story for another time) to get the bracelet resized my younger brother came with and while we were waiting he was looking at the Rolex display. A significant point here is that he has never really been into watches, but something about the brand seemed to catch his eye. Since then, I've been asking him what kind he would like. He said that he liked the Day Date 2 because of its size and really liked the white gold with white dial and Roman numerals.

Well, I bought a Day Date 2 for him a few weeks ago. Chad, the way you described your experience with the Rolex watches is almost identical to how my experience is with buying this watch for my brother. My brother is so proud to wear his watch. He is well aware of the monetary value of his watch, but more importantly there is the priceless sentimental value of his watch.

Thank you for posting your story because it gave me a "forum" to tell my story.

[Chad C.]

Originally Posted by Prince

Indeed! So you know my alma mater - the University of North Florida! BA in Education and a Masters in Educational Administration and Supervision.

Well, come on back down to St. Aug! I'll treat ya to a cold one (or more)!!

Would love to! Oh and we share alma maters! MA in Literature from UNF and worked there for a number of years as well. Now I am finishing up my dissertation for my PhD in Higher Education Administration at Indiana University - so it sounds as if we are in the same field! Very cool!

Originally Posted by scarhead

Chad,
Very eloquently said. Since coming to this forum I've found that many of the members have very similar stories. As another member said your story is very similar to mine, with the exception of my parents owning a Rolex or other expensive watch, but the education and life experience is almost spot on. I've been meaning to post something about this and your post gave me this opportunity. I don't want to hijack your thread, but rather add to it.

A few months ago I purchased my first Rolex from a member here on the forum. I always wanted a Rolex, but I wanted one to represent a significant milestone in my life and a model that I truly liked. So often, I hear stories or meet people who have a Rolex just to say they have a Rolex and it isn't one they really like. I bought my GMTIIC as a birthday present to myself. When I went to my AD (actually my former AD, but that's a story for another time) to get the bracelet resized my younger brother came with and while we were waiting he was looking at the Rolex display. A significant point here is that he has never really been into watches, but something about the brand seemed to catch his eye. Since then, I've been asking him what kind he would like. He said that he liked the Day Date 2 because of its size and really liked the white gold with white dial and Roman numerals.

Well, I bought a Day Date 2 for him a few weeks ago. Chad, the way you described your experience with the Rolex watches is almost identical to how my experience is with buying this watch for my brother. My brother is so proud to wear his watch. He is well aware of the monetary value of his watch, but more importantly there is the priceless sentimental value of his watch.

Thank you for posting your story because it gave me a "forum" to tell my story.

Scarhead - thanks so much for sharing your story! I love that GMT IIc and I am sure your brother is in love with that watch (it is an amazing watch!) but every time he looks at it I am sure he is more importantly reminded of how fortunate he is to have a big brother like you!

[R1@160@alltimes]

Great story!!

Are you going to buy your mother another Rolex?

[train-time]

Chad, great story. Thanks for sharing

Frank, your brother has a very nice and caring brother. Congrats to both of you You guys found a wonderful bond to share

[Prince]

Originally Posted by Chad C.

Would love to! Oh and we share alma maters! MA in Literature from UNF and worked there for a number of years as well. Now I am finishing up my dissertation for my PhD in Higher Education Administration at Indiana University - so it sounds as if we are in the same field! Very cool!

Very cool, indeed!

My wife and I started our Doctoral work at UNF back in the day (1976) before UNF had their own program. It was a cooperative Doctoral program in Curriculum and Instruction between UNF and the University of Florida. The degree was granted by Florida. We worked through 22 hours of the coursework, and just decided it was unnecessary for us to continue. We had been going to school for one degree or another for WAAAAY too long. It was a good decision, in the long run. I served as Graduate Assistant in the Department of Admin & Supv at UNF during 1975-76, while working on my Masters. I loved every minute of that!

Yes, my wife and I were teachers, principals and assistant principals for all these many years. She had 38 years in the local school system and I had 33 years at our retirement. Congrats on your PhD, Chad. Please let me know if you do plan to come down to St. Augustine. The offer is open!

[scarhead]

Thanks.
And by the way, the forum member I spoke of in my post from whom I bought my GMT was none other than the illustrious train-time. Super guy!

[Johny]

Originally Posted by Prince

Very cool, indeed!

My wife and I started our Doctoral work at UNF back in the day (1976) before UNF had their own program. It was a cooperative Doctoral program in Curriculum and Instruction between UNF and the University of Florida. The degree was granted by Florida. We worked through 22 hours of the coursework, and just decided it was unnecessary for us to continue. We had been going to school for one degree or another for WAAAAY too long. It was a good decision, in the long run. I served as Graduate Assistant in the Department of Admin & Supv at UNF during 1975-76, while working on my Masters. I loved every minute of that!

Yes, my wife and I were teachers, principals and assistant principals for all these many years. She had 38 years in the local school system and I had 33 years at our retirement. Congrats on your PhD, Chad. Please let me know if you do plan to come down to St. Augustine. The offer is open!

hi allan by reading this i now know why you had no difficulty teaching me american.

[Prince]

Originally Posted by Johny

hi allan by reading this i now know why you had no difficulty teaching me american.

[Johny]

Originally Posted by Prince

party on dude...hoss

[PeteS]

Great story... Thanks for sharing!

[Yazo]

Awesome story thank you for sharing it!

[GradyPhilpott]

You have a wonderful family and an extraordinary watch.

Congratulations.

[Joey_V]

Thanks for the story... congrats on the iconic Expy!!

[kenhiraihnl]

Very nice story, and thanks for sharing. Looking forward to an update to your Rolex life story one of these days.

[cakim]

Very nice and touching story !