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Old 17 July 2013, 11:55 PM   #1
Jack reacher
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Unbelievable Customs Story

Thought I’d share with you guys what I think is a great story. I recently got married, and my wife decided to get me a birth-year Rolex as a wedding gift. After scouring numerous shops and the internet, she finally found a 1974 “Pepsi” GMT Master on eBay. After working with a dealer to “ok” the watch, she bought the piece from an overseas seller (not knowing it was illegal to ship Rolexes into the US).

So a few days before our wedding, she realized US Customs intercepted/confiscated the package. After speaking with a customs agent, she frantically contacted Rolex’s legal department in an effort to get the package cleared. After many calls, she finally got a hold of the secretary for Rolex’s US customs lawyer. She tells her the story, and somehow convinces the secretary to help. After a few missed calls, she finally speaks with the lawyer, and he agrees to sign off on the package.

But wait, there’s more. With only a couple of days to go, she now has to find out who is in charge of actually clearing packages for US customs, so that they can release the watch. After more calls/searches, she reaches the right guy, tells him the story, and again convinces him to find the package, sign off on it, and send it to her rush delivery.

So now with a day to spare, the package finally arrives. She opens it only to find the crystal completely smashed, and the hands damaged. In shock, she rushes to the RSC here in NYC to see if they can help restore it. After telling the story one more time, she convinces them to at least replace the crystal, and put the watch back together to make it at least look presentable. Not only did they fix it up right then and there, they didn’t charge her anything, and told her it was a wedding gift.

So the next day, she was able to give me the watch on our wedding day – a gift I will truly cherish for the rest of my life. The watch is back at the RSC to get fully serviced. I’ll post pics when I get it back.
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Old 18 July 2013, 12:01 AM   #2
BaltimoreBrian
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WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That is awesome the way this all came together.

Look forward to the pics and thanks for sharing with us!
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Old 18 July 2013, 12:07 AM   #3
Daytona-Dan
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Very cool! Yes, send in some pics!
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Old 18 July 2013, 12:15 AM   #4
Rashid.bk
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Unbelievable....Congratulations to both of you.
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Old 18 July 2013, 12:17 AM   #5
kilyung
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Women can be persuasive. Maybe Will should hire her to help with his customs issue?
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Old 18 July 2013, 12:18 AM   #6
HL65
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Women can be persuasive. Maybe Will should hire her to help with his customs issue?
Exactly what I was thinking!
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Old 18 July 2013, 12:19 AM   #7
Ted Shred
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After reading so many customs horror stories, it's nice to read one with a happy ending. Very cool to have a great watch with a great story behind it.

Congrats!
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Old 18 July 2013, 12:22 AM   #8
patek.wis
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This is awesome to hear everything worked out
crazy that the crystal was smashed!
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Old 18 July 2013, 12:26 AM   #9
mjclark32
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This is awesome to hear everything worked out
crazy that the crystal was smashed!
If I were you I would have already sent a PM or two trying to get the contact info
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Old 18 July 2013, 12:29 AM   #10
Alpino
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Originally Posted by patek.wis View Post
This is awesome to hear everything worked out
crazy that the crystal was smashed!
You could ask your friend (the one to who you sent your Rolex) if he wants to marry you ... maybe you would get your watch back ...
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Old 18 July 2013, 12:30 AM   #11
patek.wis
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You could ask your friend (the one to who you sent your Rolex) if he wants to marry you ... maybe you would get your watch back ...
hahahah - i may do that!!!!!

think he would settle for a CZ ring??!
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Old 18 July 2013, 12:31 AM   #12
Armyguy03
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WOW! Congrats!!!!
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Old 18 July 2013, 12:33 AM   #13
mrhy
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Nice,My experiences withe NY RSC have been very positive,nice to know that doing the right thing can overcome red tape.
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Old 18 July 2013, 12:43 AM   #14
Trouble15
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Wow, great story!
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Old 18 July 2013, 12:54 AM   #15
breitlingherst
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wow i wonder why the watch was damaged? was customs trying to determine if its a counterfeit?
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Old 18 July 2013, 12:56 AM   #16
WatchFeen
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cant wait to see the pictures!! thanks for sharing :)
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Old 18 July 2013, 01:05 AM   #17
alexthegreat123
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Congrats!
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Old 18 July 2013, 01:06 AM   #18
cruvon
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Originally Posted by SteelerFan65 View Post
Exactly what I was thinking!
Lol,+1
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Old 18 July 2013, 01:07 AM   #19
Knappo 1307
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Women can be persuasive. Maybe Will should hire her to help with his customs issue?
x2
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Old 18 July 2013, 01:11 AM   #20
boywondergq1
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Heartwarming story. And this is why I choose to wear this brand.
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Old 18 July 2013, 01:16 AM   #21
Puffy
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this should be turned into a movie!!
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Old 18 July 2013, 01:20 AM   #22
james89
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how did the watch's crystal get smashed and the hands get damaged?
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Old 18 July 2013, 01:22 AM   #23
akira23
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Wow! Great story & Congrats on the Wedding & the watch!
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Old 18 July 2013, 01:27 AM   #24
nickng
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Now that is a story you don't get to hear everyday.
Kudos to your wife, Jack
I am glad everything turned up well for you both.
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Old 18 July 2013, 01:30 AM   #25
AK797
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That's a great story, and the next time I need Rolex to step up to the plate for me I will also be getting married the very next day!
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Old 18 July 2013, 01:31 AM   #26
Thebiglagu
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What a great story! Congrats on an amazing wife!
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Old 18 July 2013, 01:32 AM   #27
Thebiglagu
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Sounds like she a life time get otta jail free pass from you! Hahaha!!!
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Old 18 July 2013, 01:32 AM   #28
STEELINOX
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You can't make this stuff up !

Congratulations
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Old 18 July 2013, 01:33 AM   #29
Frogman4me
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That's is seriously awesome. Cherish your wife she did much to get you this watch. Congrats :)
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Old 18 July 2013, 01:43 AM   #30
yld2rob
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WOW Crazy story
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