Ode to the Classic Rolex Submariner

[beachboy17]

what a great story....once you get the watch you have been searching for, you appreciate it that much more....i have a story like that with regards to an old tudor sub that i was searching for over 18 months.....

enjoy your submariner....

[ttomczak]

Great story, but the pictures make it awesome.

And great truck btw, from one taco owner to another.

[jlafou1]

Awesome post! Thanks for sharing your story. I own a 114060 as my daily and it’s been perfect!

[Phrank]

Superb post and a great read, that’s what’s its all about and was similar to my story.

Problem became, why stop at just one...:-)

18 months later since I put my first Rolex on, the joy hasn’t faded.

[Genevapics]

Wonderful story. I can imagine the smile on your face when you received your Submariner. That would have been one priceless photo. Enjoy your watch... and thank you for your service.

[Michaeli Paulo]

Floored by all of the positive and kind replies!

Looking forward to taking some more pics! These were all iPhone shots, but I’m breaking out the digital camera for the next ones!!

Fortunately, unlike me, the Submariner is so photogenic!

Thank you, Rashid.bl, aksd, Indy11, tatery, DoDe, 1911 Man, and Pw 92676!

God bless you,

Michael

[Trepang]

I too was in the US Navy Submarine service. Did 26 years. I was a Sonarman, retired in 2014 and now work for DOD/DON and run a charter boat on the side.

I got my Submariner back in March for my 50th birthday. I went with a Sub Date, sometimes I second guess myself and wish I had went with a No Date, the classic, instead but I do catch myself looking at the date when signing paperwork or checks.

Congrats on your watch.

[MickCollins1916]

Great thread, and excellent watch! Congrats on the pickup.

( I also like your Alden Indy boots pictured in the thread. We apparently have similar tastes.)

[The Libertine]

What a great post, and it’s posts like this one that TRF needs a lot more of nowadays!

Thank you for your service.

[GradyPhilpott]

You made a great choice, OP. Congratulations!

I was blessed to acquire my 14060M(Random) in December 2011, just a couple of months before the 114060 was introduced at Basel.

[jburson250]

Thanks for the extraordinary story Michael!
When I joined the Navy in '66, my folks gave me a Submariner 5512. It's retail price was $195 - the same as the old ad in post #1.
I proudly wore - and beat the hell out of - the Sub over the next eight years in the propulsion plants of USS Enterprise and USS Long Beach.
The 5512 is still with me today, as listed below in my signature along with its more modern mates.
I'm delighted you finally found your Submariner.
Thank you for your service.
Best Regards,

[roadie1]

Love it! Thanks for posting!

[vesnyder]

Michael - Thanks for the post and thanks for your service. I loved reading the story and glad to be a fellow enthusiast with similar appreciation of the brand.

Wear in good health!

[Kyle3130]

Welcome to this great forum and thank you for your service! All of the reasons you cited are why I chose to buy my 14060M over 6 years ago. I have warn it all day, every day since. It is “My Submariner” and I know how you feel! Congrats on finding yours and to a lifelong bond with it!

[Michaeli Paulo]

Thanks, beachboy17, ttomczak, jlafou1, Phrank, Genevapics, Trepang, Mick Collins 1916, The Libertine, Gradyphilpott, jburson215, and roadie1!!!

I had imagined that my story might be similar to many folks here. Great to read about fellow Submariners, as well.

Mick, I wondered if anyone would notice the Aldens!!! They’re also iconic and classic...

Trepang, was your 50th birthday Submariner also your first Rolex, like me?

When I initially fielded the idea to my wife about getting one, I had tried to “justify” the expense by saying it would be for my 60th birthday, which is this coming October. She said, “there’s no way we’re going to wait for your birthday and leave this hidden away for months!” What a sweetheart! :)

Thanks again, guys!

[air_king]

Great watch yes, but an even better story. Thanks for posting it and thank you for your service. Wear it in good health sir.

[sombra]

Fantastic post! Could be a sticky

[Nothingfancy01]

I shall echo all the 46 posts and say congrats and thanks for your service...patience, patience and
Patience and great things happen!!
Congrats mate


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[mmalek1]

Well it’s not just a watch, it is your watch! Thank you for the fantastic and very enjoyable post. Enjoy that one.

[Michaeli Paulo]

Originally Posted by ttomczak

And great truck btw, from one taco owner to another.

Thanks! Close guess! But actually mine’s an ’02 Tundra; my wife has an ‘01 Tacoma.

My Tundra was part of what helped me realize I’d prefer the more classic Submariner. The older Tundras are smaller, more refined with classic lines and design. The newer Tundras are bigger, more blocky and angular...more modern looking, perhaps?

Realizing this helped me see the similarities with my Submariner decision. I like classic, vintage, antique, traditional things!

Michael

[Anthony808]

Welcome shipmate! That was a brilliant post. Great story! We share a love for 007, the Submariner, and service in the U.S. Navy - although I'm on the opposite side of the layer as a P-3 Orion aviator. Can't do better in my opinion than a 5 digit sub.

[broham84]

Amazing story Michael, thank you for serving our country!

Congrats on the new watch an enjoy it in good health.

[Justinmg]

Great post and congrats on a classic! This forum needs more post like this, vs the crap we have been plague with lately.

[burnthesehills]

Beautiful watch and great story. Thanks for sharing and congratulations.

[ferrissteve11]

Nice pics and congrats. 04 Tundra owner here, know what you mean about the styling lines of Toyota at that time. Also those look like Alden 405 boots in one of your pics. If so they're great boots...love mine. If not they're a good looking pair of footwear.

[Monty22]

Teared up a bit. I love these stories. I am still a rookie, but/and these posts are the reasons why I check this forum daily


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[RtTime]

Hi Michael,

You are certainly quite a storyteller and I'd share a parting glass with you. You had my complete attention all the way throughout your post and by the way adding on your photos and those advertisements was certainly icing on the cake.

I like your style I also got my Submariner this year. I went with the maxi case because I wanted to be the first owner. It isn't an everyday watch for me because I rotate it with the Explorer 214270. Now this is really a difficult rotation for me because I don't like taking either watch off - they are my favorite watches! I confess there are times when I'm home alone I'll wear both the Submariner and the Explorer - one on each arm I really like the smooth contoured crystal of the Submariner. Although the Submariner Date is really nice, like you I'm a retired and the Submariner is more my style...besides having the date isn't all that relevant to me. Thank you for your service and enjoy that Submariner of yours

[rjstuf001]

Fantastic story. Thank you very much Michael for sharing. And thank you for your service.

[LandWatch]

What a great read and a great story. Pleased you were able to find your ideal watch ..!

[maylebox]

Great watch, great story, great pics, great post. Congrats. With more than 20 watches in my collection if I could only keep one it'd be my 14060M.