New member from NYC!

[Brunopion]

Hello everyone,
The great members really care about each other.
This is the first feeling that hit me when I started reading TRF. Everyone is passionate, true and friendly. This is the reason I decided to hop on.
Thank you for having me!
I haven't purchased my first Rolex yet, but this will soon be old news!
I am not a stranger to the brand though.
Here is a little about me and my Rolex stories.
First and foremost, my late father (62) owned one (a gold/steel DateJust). He was a Sculptor and a Bronze Founder. What amazed me was that he wore his watch everyday in his shop/studio and it was basically the only watch that would withstand the harsh environment of chemicals, hammering, metal sparks, extreme temperatures, rotating disks that explode....etc. As he would put it at the end of a rough day, he would say that "it didn't bulge, it's still a second fast". I was amazed how such an refined and beautiful object, which you would rather protect than expose, handled such a tough life. It always looked like a million dollars though. It had a slight very nice patina, but always looked more new than used. Unfortunately, he had to sell it at one point, so I will never inherit it. I promised myself to do some research and to one day try to buy it back from the person he sold it to. I still have to find out who it is!
Second, I lived my teen years in Geneva, Switzerland. I was there when the first Swatch came out, and since I was young, it was Swatch all the way. I owned a lot. Otherwise, for those who know Geneva, jewelers are at every corner, so of course I would notice "things". But I was too young.
Third and last, I was lucky enough to go to school in Marseille, France, back in the early nineties. Marseille is home of the famous Rolex-related COMEX.
I had friends who were divers for COMEX. Some daredevils these guys! I have to say that I always noticed their "cool" and beautiful watch and their fast convertibles. They were constantly on dangerous missions, dove in awful conditions, and their pay wasn't necessarily as high as they would have liked it to be. I have more than once been offered to buy a Rolex with the COMEX logo on it. I guess they were allowed to buy extras for friends and family, and make a little profit - perfectly understandable. I was stupid enough to always refuse. Now I feel like an idiot of course. They seem to have become very popular!
So here I am now with all my memories, and I want to jump in and buy myself one. I was thinking about a Deep-Sea or a Submariner, newest models, in hopes one day to be able to locate my fathers DJ. That day will be the day.
Well, I hope I didn't bore you, and thank you again for having me on board!
All the Best,
Bruno.

[sleddog]

Welcome to TRF Bruno!!
A great story and intro....
I hope you enjoy the forum and it's members!
Good luck on finding your first Rolex,
Rob.

[dalip]

Great intro Bruno....

Welcome to TRF...!

[PHDX2]

Hello and welcome!!!

[rfknauss]

Bruno, welcome to TRF!

[rolexguynfl]

Welcome Bruno

[CoopJr]

Welcome to the forum Bruno! Great story.

[Chipmunk]

I join everyone in welcoming you in our midst.

[TSW]

Welcome Bruno

[JMIND]

Hi Bruno and welcome to TRF!

Jerry

[Art 1]

Welcome.

[CDN_ROLEX]

Originally Posted by Brunopion

Hello everyone,
The great members really care about each other.
This is the first feeling that hit me when I started reading TRF. Everyone is passionate, true and friendly. This is the reason I decided to hop on.
Thank you for having me!
I haven't purchased my first Rolex yet, but this will soon be old news!
I am not a stranger to the brand though.
Here is a little about me and my Rolex stories.
First and foremost, my late father (62) owned one (a gold/steel DateJust). He was a Sculptor and a Bronze Founder. What amazed me was that he wore his watch everyday in his shop/studio and it was basically the only watch that would withstand the harsh environment of chemicals, hammering, metal sparks, extreme temperatures, rotating disks that explode....etc. As he would put it at the end of a rough day, he would say that "it didn't bulge, it's still a second fast". I was amazed how such an refined and beautiful object, which you would rather protect than expose, handled such a tough life. It always looked like a million dollars though. It had a slight very nice patina, but always looked more new than used. Unfortunately, he had to sell it at one point, so I will never inherit it. I promised myself to do some research and to one day try to buy it back from the person he sold it to. I still have to find out who it is!
Second, I lived my teen years in Geneva, Switzerland. I was there when the first Swatch came out, and since I was young, it was Swatch all the way. I owned a lot. Otherwise, for those who know Geneva, jewelers are at every corner, so of course I would notice "things". But I was too young.
Third and last, I was lucky enough to go to school in Marseille, France, back in the early nineties. Marseille is home of the famous Rolex-related COMEX.
I had friends who were divers for COMEX. Some daredevils these guys! I have to say that I always noticed their "cool" and beautiful watch and their fast convertibles. They were constantly on dangerous missions, dove in awful conditions, and their pay wasn't necessarily as high as they would have liked it to be. I have more than once been offered to buy a Rolex with the COMEX logo on it. I guess they were allowed to buy extras for friends and family, and make a little profit - perfectly understandable. I was stupid enough to always refuse. Now I feel like an idiot of course. They seem to have become very popular!
So here I am now with all my memories, and I want to jump in and buy myself one. I was thinking about a Deep-Sea or a Submariner, newest models, in hopes one day to be able to locate my fathers DJ. That day will be the day.
Well, I hope I didn't bore you, and thank you again for having me on board!
All the Best,
Bruno.

It's a Pleasure to Have you Among Us BRUNO!!!