It really is a journey- Incoming

[Vince KSA]

Great story Justin.

This is why I love this forum so much sharing great stories like these with fellow watch enthusiasts.

A great story that would be totally lost on 99% of the population, but you just know that every TRF buddy will read your story and resonate with at least 2 or 3 points of your story.

I agree so much with John from Texas's comments; in the end being a Rolex aficionado is one of the very rare occasions in life that when you let your heart rule your head it often saves money in the long-run.

I really enjoyed reading your journey.

[1William]

Very nice.

[Hollie_Rollie]

Awesome! Love the back story and that you still have your seiko and tag from high school and college.


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[droptopman]

Nice story Justin. I can relate. Always enjoy reading the journeys.

[srleadjb]

Originally Posted by Vince KSA

Great story Justin.

This is why I love this forum so much sharing great stories like these with fellow watch enthusiasts.

A great story that would be totally lost on 99% of the population, but you just know that every TRF buddy will read your story and resonate with at least 2 or 3 points of your story.

I agree so much with John from Texas's comments; in the end being a Rolex aficionado is one of the very rare occasions in life that when you let your heart rule your head it often saves money in the long-run.

I really enjoyed reading your journey.

Thank you. I’m happy that this resonates with others. It can be a lonely place sometimes LOL.






This watch game is making me crazy

[Psmith]

Congrats

[Chester01]

Awesome story. I had that same seiko, when my brother and I were young we both saved up and put our money together and bought it. We shared is as it seemed expensive back then, we alternated wearing it.

[ocwatching]

nice story...and great journey..
I am sure the pepsi will be on your wrist soon enough...

[Montremoi]

Great story and nice friend that you have ! You should treat him to something as a thank you for the fast-track on the BLRO list

[cfhale77]

Thanks for the story Justin. Inspiring me to share mine.

I graduated college in 2000 with a degree in Political Science. I think I spent those four years in school learning about what I didn't want to do wit the rest of my life. But navigating through school is more than getting the piece of paper. When I finished school I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life and all I wished to do was play golf. I got a job on a golf course to ease the greens fees and I found my passion. I loved taking care of grass until a golf course construction company came to my hometown and built a brand new 18 hole private course. I visited the construction site almost daily to witness what was going on. Excavators, Bull Dozers, heavy equipment everywhere playing in the so called sand box. A little kids dream. I set my sights on Golf course construction. A few years later I gained employment with the exact company that came to my town. However it was on a project in Arizona and I lived in Rhode Island. So I packed my bags and hit the road.

For the sake of everyone's time I will just highlight where my journey has taken me. I started by sleeping on an inflatable mattress on the dining room floor of a two bed room apartment in Scottsdale Arizona with two other co-workers (Scottsdale is expensive). I didn't matter. I was so tired by the end of the day in the Arizona heat I could have slept on a tile floor just because it was cold. Hard work kept leading to high profile projects that I was placed on. Eventually I was asked to go to Dubai for a project my company was working on their. I was single, had developed a taste for traveling (on someone else's dime) and there was a 25% pay increase for working overseas. I immediately agreed to heading overseas and set out on another adventure. Unfortunately the Global economic down turn in 2008 eight caused the project to be shut down. We had finished 6 of 18 holes. Devastating to pack up my bags and let the desert sands reclaim all of everyone's hard work. I returned to my home base in Rhode Island (parents house) and awaited my next assignment. It wasn't but three days later I recieved a phone call about a project on Hinan Island in the South China Sea. Sign me up! In the midst of swine flu scare I was headed to Hong Kong to get my visa to travel to mainland China. Shanqin Bay was the name of the course and it would be the second time I would work with Architects Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw. Yep, the pro golfer Ben Crenshaw. I'd always heard of Rolex but it wasn't until I saw Ben's in person, on his wrist, did I start to become infatuated with Rolex. I would visit the AD in Kunming China and try different models on and it was the GMT II that I set my sights on . I still couldn't afford it. In fact I knew it would be some time before I could even consider making a purchase like that. So, I put my nose to the grind stone and continued plugging away at my career. Things came full circle in 2016 when I worked with Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw again. I had risen to Project Manager and I was in charge of the entire project. From Earthwork, Irrigation, Drainage, Feature Construction (greens, tees, bunkers) and grassing. This was my shot. Fall of 2017 the golf course was completed. I had married my girlfriend whom I met on Bill and Ben's project all those years ago in China. She and I drove to our local AD and my story must have made a 116710LN appear in the Jewler's safe. He even picked up the sales tax. Happy to say I wear my GMT as often as I can. I still play in the mud at work but she can take it. I would love to hear other peoples stories.

[Montremoi]

Originally Posted by srleadjb

What do you do for someone who has everything....?

Give him something money can't buy

[Cru Jones]

Great story, great wife!

A Sub and BLRO will make for an epic pair.

[BakerView]

Thanks for the story. I read it and just chuckled. I thought back to my first Seiko diver and how that evolved into so many others in this crazy watch addiction. Then I laughed, as I thought of how many others on this Forum are saying to themselves, "Yup, me too." It's a crazy hobby, but man don't we love it. Congrats on the true keepers (the wife & the Sub).

[chazadams]

That sir was a terrific read!! The SubC date is the perfect watch in my opinion, but your really going to enjoy the BLRO too.....its a great back up LOL.

Enjoy your Sub

[srleadjb]

Originally Posted by BakerView

Thanks for the story. I read it and just chuckled. It's a crazy hobby, but man don't we love it. Congrats on the true keepers (the wife & the Sub).

Thank you, sir.

[srleadjb]

Originally Posted by Cru Jones

Great story, great wife!

After a few comments about my wife, I realize that she should have been more prominent in the story as she allows me to play in this crazy game. I could even go as far as to say she encourages me. I'm very lucky to have her! Thank you for pointing that out!

[mbdurham]

Great story and congratulations! Hope you get your Pepsi


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[Bobbyslo]

Awesome story. Good luck finding your watch, I can relate with much of what you said.


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[ajas]

Great Story.

[RolexDave68]

Awesome journey


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[srleadjb]

Originally Posted by Chester01

Awesome story. I had that same seiko, when my brother and I were young we both saved up and put our money together and bought it. We shared is as it seemed expensive back then, we alternated wearing it.

Very cool.

[srleadjb]

Originally Posted by cfhale77

Thanks for the story Justin. Inspiring me to share mine.



I graduated college in 2000 with a degree in Political Science. I think I spent those four years in school learning about what I didn't want to do wit the rest of my life. But navigating through school is more than getting the piece of paper. When I finished school I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life and all I wished to do was play golf. I got a job on a golf course to ease the greens fees and I found my passion. I loved taking care of grass until a golf course construction company came to my hometown and built a brand new 18 hole private course. I visited the construction site almost daily to witness what was going on. Excavators, Bull Dozers, heavy equipment everywhere playing in the so called sand box. A little kids dream. I set my sights on Golf course construction. A few years later I gained employment with the exact company that came to my town. However it was on a project in Arizona and I lived in Rhode Island. So I packed my bags and hit the road.



For the sake of everyone's time I will just highlight where my journey has taken me. I started by sleeping on an inflatable mattress on the dining room floor of a two bed room apartment in Scottsdale Arizona with two other co-workers (Scottsdale is expensive). I didn't matter. I was so tired by the end of the day in the Arizona heat I could have slept on a tile floor just because it was cold. Hard work kept leading to high profile projects that I was placed on. Eventually I was asked to go to Dubai for a project my company was working on their. I was single, had developed a taste for traveling (on someone else's dime) and there was a 25% pay increase for working overseas. I immediately agreed to heading overseas and set out on another adventure. Unfortunately the Global economic down turn in 2008 eight caused the project to be shut down. We had finished 6 of 18 holes. Devastating to pack up my bags and let the desert sands reclaim all of everyone's hard work. I returned to my home base in Rhode Island (parents house) and awaited my next assignment. It wasn't but three days later I recieved a phone call about a project on Hinan Island in the South China Sea. Sign me up! In the midst of swine flu scare I was headed to Hong Kong to get my visa to travel to mainland China. Shanqin Bay was the name of the course and it would be the second time I would work with Architects Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw. Yep, the pro golfer Ben Crenshaw. I'd always heard of Rolex but it wasn't until I saw Ben's in person, on his wrist, did I start to become infatuated with Rolex. I would visit the AD in Kunming China and try different models on and it was the GMT II that I set my sights on . I still couldn't afford it. In fact I knew it would be some time before I could even consider making a purchase like that. So, I put my nose to the grind stone and continued plugging away at my career. Things came full circle in 2016 when I worked with Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw again. I had risen to Project Manager and I was in charge of the entire project. From Earthwork, Irrigation, Drainage, Feature Construction (greens, tees, bunkers) and grassing. This was my shot. Fall of 2017 the golf course was completed. I had married my girlfriend whom I met on Bill and Ben's project all those years ago in China. She and I drove to our local AD and my story must have made a 116710LN appear in the Jewler's safe. He even picked up the sales tax. Happy to say I wear my GMT as often as I can. I still play in the mud at work but she can take it. I would love to hear other peoples stories.

Thanks for sharing your story too.




This watch game is making me crazy

[Bigsoftee]

Great story!