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matt4hand · 2 February 2012, 09:23 AM

Well after searching and searching I'm finally found my grail 5508.

The best part of the story is it found me.

The son of the original owner contacted me last week about wanting to sell his fathers watch.He got my name from another TRF member.
He brought the watch over last Saturday and I looked it over and I decided I wanted it.

Today after work we finally closed the deal!

It is a Exclamation dial Gilt 5508 stamped 3rd quarter of 1959 on the caseback. It was serviced at Rolex in 1970 which is the only service mark on the caseback. The watch has been in storage in 1981!

The lugs are so fat it is scary and the chamfer's are perfect!!

The original owners son is writing me a history of his father who bought the watch over sea's in the late 50's early 60's. It spent the rest of it's life in Florida.

Thanks Michael for letting me buy this piece of history from you.
Yes, there are a LOT of pics

Rjwareagle · 2 February 2012, 09:26 AM

Very nice!

watch watcher · 2 February 2012, 09:27 AM

Perfect shade of fade on the bezel.

HL65 · 2 February 2012, 09:35 AM

Beautiful dial and great case- major congrats!! You did well...

cruvon · 2 February 2012, 09:39 AM

Congrats, untouched beauty and great find!

sleddog · 2 February 2012, 09:40 AM

Some great history in that Matt, well done!!

johnbeth · 2 February 2012, 09:41 AM

Huge congrats !!

matt4hand · 2 February 2012, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rjwareagle

Very nice!

Quote:

Originally Posted by watch watcher

Perfect shade of fade on the bezel.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteelerFan65

Beautiful dial and great case- major congrats!! You did well...

Quote:

Originally Posted by cruvon

Congrats, untouched beauty and great find!

Quote:

Originally Posted by sleddog

Some great history in that Matt, well done!!

Thanks Gentleman!

vmaglio74 · 2 February 2012, 09:44 AM

Congrats!
wear it in best of health!

liuk3 · 2 February 2012, 09:46 AM

Wow. That's pretty cool.

willang · 2 February 2012, 09:56 AM

Wow! Congrats... I am just starting to look at vintage pieces and really like the look. Wear it in good health! :)

kyle L · 2 February 2012, 09:57 AM

Now I can understand why you were so fast to flip that other 5508...

Congrats Matt, hopefully this one will stay!

Frogman4me · 2 February 2012, 09:59 AM

Well done Matt, I saw this on VRF earlier. Awesome!!!

T-Rip · 2 February 2012, 10:01 AM

That is insane, great job, my favorite part is the back story that comes with it, I'm sure it was very difficult for the son to let it go..I know as well as he does that now it will be appreciated more with you then most people would.

good job Matt,

T-Rip · 2 February 2012, 10:02 AM

Matt,

What all if anything are you going to do (restoration) wise?

meloncap78 · 2 February 2012, 10:06 AM

Amazing. I would never touch a thing on that watch, especially the dial. Perfect link to the past. Wear that thing like no tomorrow.

matt4hand · 2 February 2012, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by haydendillon

Matt,

What all if anything are you going to do (restoration) wise?

Movement service only and that is it. I have a local CW21 who I trust but I actually think I am going to send this one to Bob R b/c it is very special to me. I made a great friend in the original owners son. His father was an engineer and I think he would want the best working on it.

mjclark32 · 2 February 2012, 10:11 AM

Absolutely beautiful Matt, congrats on attaining your grail!

chicagofan · 2 February 2012, 10:15 AM

Congrats! Awesome pick up.

lhanddds · 2 February 2012, 10:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kyle L

Now I can understand why you were so fast to flip that other 5508...

Congrats Matt, hopefully this one will stay!

You're kidding right

whiskyguy · 2 February 2012, 10:26 AM

Perfect A+++

kyle L · 2 February 2012, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lhanddds

You're kidding right

RC2 · 2 February 2012, 10:31 AM

Congrats Matt love the whole story. Rich

T-Rip · 2 February 2012, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by matt4hand

Movement service only and that is it. I have a local CW21 who I trust but I actually think I am going to send this one to Bob R b/c it is very special to me. I made a great friend in the original owners son. His father was an engineer and I think he would want the best working on it.

Thats great

Love the story...

apan · 2 February 2012, 10:35 AM

Wow! That is lovely

That is truly a great find

Kevin.S · 2 February 2012, 10:49 AM

A "Gilt"ey pleasure,,, congrats!

Michael M. · 2 February 2012, 11:00 AM

Huge Congrats!! The pictures you sent me didnt really show the true beauty of this 5508!

renfield33 · 2 February 2012, 11:22 AM

awesome watch! didn't you just buy another NCG sub?

Beaumont Miller II · 2 February 2012, 11:26 AM

Matt mega congrats on that stunner. All original watches from family members of the original owner are so rare and special. That watch is a piece of history and will always have a special place in your collection. You did well buddy.

mfer · 2 February 2012, 11:27 AM

Very nice Matt! I had to google Exclamation dial, but now I know!

2 February 2012, 09:23 AM	#1
matt4hand Banned Join Date: Jan 2011 Real Name: Matt Location: Atlanta Watch: Tramp Posts: 2,369	My grail is finally in my hands !VERY PIC HEAVY Well after searching and searching I'm finally found my grail 5508. The best part of the story is it found me. The son of the original owner contacted me last week about wanting to sell his fathers watch.He got my name from another TRF member. He brought the watch over last Saturday and I looked it over and I decided I wanted it. Today after work we finally closed the deal! It is a Exclamation dial Gilt 5508 stamped 3rd quarter of 1959 on the caseback. It was serviced at Rolex in 1970 which is the only service mark on the caseback. The watch has been in storage in 1981! The lugs are so fat it is scary and the chamfer's are perfect!! The original owners son is writing me a history of his father who bought the watch over sea's in the late 50's early 60's. It spent the rest of it's life in Florida. Thanks Michael for letting me buy this piece of history from you. Yes, there are a LOT of pics

2 February 2012, 09:35 AM	#4
HL65 TRF Moderator & 2024 SubLV41 Patron Join Date: Dec 2007 Real Name: Ken Location: SW Florida Watch: One on my wrist. Posts: 64,006	Beautiful dial and great case- major congrats!! You did well... __________________ *SPEM SUCCESSUS ALIT*

2 February 2012, 09:39 AM	#5
cruvon "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Australia Posts: 4,689	Congrats, untouched beauty and great find! __________________ Last thing I remember, I was Running outta sight I had to find the passage back,To the place I was before. ’Relax,’ said this Rolex place,We are programmed to receive. You can checkout any time you like, But you can never leave!

2 February 2012, 09:40 AM	#6
sleddog TRF Moderator & 2024 SubLV41 Patron Join Date: Jul 2007 Real Name: Rob Location: Nearby. Posts: 24,931	Some great history in that Matt, well done!! __________________ He who wears a Rolex is always on time, even when late!! TRF's "After Dark" Bar & Nightclub Patron-Founding Member..

2 February 2012, 09:46 AM	#10
liuk3 "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 3,354	Wow. That's pretty cool. __________________ "Appreciate your life!"

2 February 2012, 09:26 AM	#2
Rjwareagle Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Real Name: Rollins Location: Tifton Watch: 116660 and more Posts: 286	Very nice!

2 February 2012, 09:27 AM	#3
watch watcher "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: ME Watch: Vintages Posts: 565	Perfect shade of fade on the bezel.

2 February 2012, 09:41 AM	#7
johnbeth "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Real Name: John Location: Australia Watch: Depends on mood. Posts: 9,536	Huge congrats !!

2 February 2012, 09:44 AM	#9
vmaglio74 "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: NYC Watch: Rolex Posts: 123	Congrats! wear it in best of health!

2 February 2012, 09:56 AM	#11
willang "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: NJ Posts: 489	Wow! Congrats... I am just starting to look at vintage pieces and really like the look. Wear it in good health! :)

2 February 2012, 09:57 AM	#12
kyle L "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: USA Watch: Rolex Explorer I Posts: 10,278	Now I can understand why you were so fast to flip that other 5508... Congrats Matt, hopefully this one will stay!

2 February 2012, 09:59 AM	#13
Frogman4me Banned Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Maryland Posts: 6,268	Well done Matt, I saw this on VRF earlier. Awesome!!!

2 February 2012, 10:01 AM	#14
T-Rip "TRF" Member Join Date: May 2011 Real Name: Tom Location: Victorville CA Watch: Rolex DSSD 116660 Posts: 3,189	That is insane, great job, my favorite part is the back story that comes with it, I'm sure it was very difficult for the son to let it go..I know as well as he does that now it will be appreciated more with you then most people would. good job Matt, __________________ T-Rip Formally known as Haydendillon Rolex: DSSD 116660, 16622 PLATTY

2 February 2012, 10:02 AM	#15
T-Rip "TRF" Member Join Date: May 2011 Real Name: Tom Location: Victorville CA Watch: Rolex DSSD 116660 Posts: 3,189	Matt, What all if anything are you going to do (restoration) wise? __________________ T-Rip Formally known as Haydendillon Rolex: DSSD 116660, 16622 PLATTY

2 February 2012, 10:06 AM	#16
meloncap78 "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Real Name: Joshua Location: Syracuse, NY Watch: LV C Posts: 2,204	Amazing. I would never touch a thing on that watch, especially the dial. Perfect link to the past. Wear that thing like no tomorrow.

2 February 2012, 10:11 AM	#18
mjclark32 "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Real Name: MJC Location: PHL USA Watch: IWC, Rolex, AP Posts: 29,232	Absolutely beautiful Matt, congrats on attaining your grail! __________________

2 February 2012, 10:15 AM	#19
chicagofan "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Real Name: Howard Location: Chicago Posts: 3,588	Congrats! Awesome pick up.

2 February 2012, 10:26 AM	#21
whiskyguy "TRF" Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Kansas Posts: 666	Perfect A+++

2 February 2012, 10:31 AM	#23
RC2 "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Real Name: Rich Location: NC Watch: Rolex 1675 Posts: 2,359	Congrats Matt love the whole story. Rich __________________ Rich Member of Nylon Nation Red Sox Nation Instagram watchguy97

2 February 2012, 10:35 AM	#25
apan "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 170	Wow! That is lovely That is truly a great find

2 February 2012, 10:49 AM	#26
Kevin.S 2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Real Name: Kevin Location: Maine Watch: All of them Posts: 1,376	A "Gilt"ey pleasure,,, congrats!

2 February 2012, 11:00 AM	#27
Michael M. Banned Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Newport Beach, CA Posts: 8,391	Huge Congrats!! The pictures you sent me didnt really show the true beauty of this 5508!

2 February 2012, 11:22 AM	#28
renfield33 "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Watch: GMT-II Pepsi Posts: 1,051	awesome watch! didn't you just buy another NCG sub? __________________ Lug hole loyalist!

2 February 2012, 11:26 AM	#29
Beaumont Miller II "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: USA Posts: 2,615	Matt mega congrats on that stunner. All original watches from family members of the original owner are so rare and special. That watch is a piece of history and will always have a special place in your collection. You did well buddy. __________________

2 February 2012, 11:27 AM	#30
mfer "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Real Name: Mik Location: USA Posts: 13,724	Very nice Matt! I had to google Exclamation dial, but now I know! __________________ member#3242

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