The heritage of your Rolex?

[NorthernPike]

In 1949 the luxurious cruise ship SS Noronic burned horrifically in what remains to this day the worst disaster in the history of the city of Toronto, in terms of lives lost. My father took quick and decisive action that day and saved many people from certain death. At the time he worked for the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company, and subsequently was presented this watch by his union. Not long after that, he was wearing it when he crashed his motorcycle and it flew off and was run over by a car. The outer caseback has some dents from that, but the inside looks just fine.
The crystal was cracked, the crown gouged, and there was internal damage. He then put it away in a drawer where it sat for about 50 years until I found it after his death. I always new it was around, but since it wasn’t a dive watch it didn’t captivate me. I found a great watchmaker that I could trust and had it repaired; coincidentally I’m wearing it right now as I type this, as my daily LV is presently at RSC Toronto for regulation.
My research prior to its restoration rekindled my keen interest in Submariners that goes back to my adolescent years, having always been a diver as was my father. I finally got the Sub I always wanted when I treated myself to an LV for my 51st birthday. Wearing this unique piece of Toronto history gives me great pleasure, as does sharing it with those like you who appreciate such things.

[mikelprz]

My Sub date, I purchased in Geneva, Switzerland at Bucherer's 45 Rue du Rhone . From there it went with me to Italy, Germany, Jordan, Iraq, Qatar, Dubai, Hong Kong, Thailand, Singapore, USA, S. Korea, Japan, and New Zealand.

[Subfiend]

Did anybody check out Jake's site today? If so, what do you think of the story?

[joeychitwood]

Great story and great watch, NorthernPike. Do you have any photos of it after restoration?

[MitchSteel]

Cool thread, thanks for starting it.All of my rolies are second hand, and im sure have had many owners(at least the vintage ones), but unfortunately I dont know much history.however my dad who will be visiting my family next month has an all original 5512 that he's had and worn almost everyday for years, I'll make sure he wears it when he comes up.Now that watch had some serious adventures, been through every continent, been overboard in the north atlantic twice(not intentionally).Since my old man has retired, it sees a lot of beer drinking and barbequeing......and an ocasional lawn mowing.

[NorthernPike]

Originally Posted by joeychitwood

Great story and great watch, NorthernPike. Do you have any photos of it after restoration?

You're looking at them. More reparation than restoration. I thought about changing the crown, but the battle scarred one tells the story of the watch, so maybe I'll just keep it on there.

[Gasoil4ever]

Mine was of course made in Switzerland, then sendt to and AD in California, where i bought it from a fellow member Sphereman in L.A. It was brought to France by a friend of mine on vacation in the U.S, that was in December 2008.

Since then it has been to :

- Nagoya, Japan
- Dubaï, UAE
- Bamako, Mali
- Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
- Brisbane, Australia
- Johannesbourg, South Africa
- Accra, Ghana

and that's just a start

[joeychitwood]

Originally Posted by Gasoil4ever

Mine was of course made in Switzerland, then sendt to and AD in California, where i bought it from a fellow member Sphereman in L.A. It was brought to France by a friend of mine on vacation in the U.S, that was in December 2008.

Since then it has been to :

- Nagoya, Japan
- Dubaï, UAE
- Bamako, Mali
- Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
- Brisbane, Australia
- Johannesbourg, South Africa
- Accra, Ghana

and that's just a start

Great photos. What do you fly?

[Gasoil4ever]

Originally Posted by joeychitwood

Great photos. What do you fly?

I am not a professionnal pilot, i travel a lot for my job.

The picture in the flight deck was taken during a Bamako - Ouagadougou flight when i had a chance to fly with the pilots during the all flight great experience !

I do fly paragliders, but never did a wrist shot... you're giving me an idea

[HL65]

Did anyone see the movie True Romance--Quentin Tarantino flick? Rmember the scene where Christopher Walken went over the history of his watch?? That is not how I got my watch!

[Gasoil4ever]

Originally Posted by SteelerFan1965

Did anyone see the movie True Romance--Quentin Tarantino flick? Rmember the scene where Christopher Walken went over the history of his watch?? That is not how I got my watch!

Yes ! Made me laugh a lot !