My 5402SA Jumbo is Back Home!!!

[Submarino]

As most of you know it's been a long road since I sent my watch in for repair to the APSC in Clearwater. Many of you followed the saga and aware of the long story and drama around it.

For those of you that didn't read about it, here's a quick and simple drama-free recap: At the beginning of February 2012 I sent my watch to APSC Clearwater and they quoted me a very crazy amount for the service ($4800). After a ton of drama, I asked them to send the piece directly to Le Brassus for a new estimate and potential repair directly in Switzerland. Fast forward to April 2012, I received a decent estimate on the service ($2800) and proceeded to get the service done directly by Le Brassus.

My 5402SA is from 1976-1977 and is from the first batch of TT Royal Oak Jumbos ever made. My serial is under 300. We are talking here about a highly collectable and desirable Royal Oak. Due to the age of the watch and multiple owners outside of me, the watch needed a major movement overhaul, a new dial (old dial was flaking and AP wouldn't service it without replacing it) and a serious bezel/case refreshing (the bezel was very rounded and so thin that I was told by AP that this was the last time it could be refinished).

After a very long wait of almost six months the watch arrived this morning around 9:10-9:15am. Can't even remember exactly what time it was as I was too excited. After hours jacking with Photoshop Elements to process the images from my new Leica, finally here are the pictures of the watch.

I am extremely pleased with the level of work conducted on the watch. It looks like brand new and no one like AP Le Brassus to refinish a Royal Oak. Look at the chamfers, bezel and case. I will post another thread with a serious review of the watch.

The History Behind My Watch

While I was still living in Mexico City, I purchased this watch back in 1998 from one of my pre-owned watch dealers. At the time, this was my third Royal Oak 5402 Jumbo. The watch was in good shape and running strong. This was one of my favorite ROs and it was purchased during a very successful time in my career. After a couple of years of ownership, one of my friends asked me if I'd ever sell the watch to him of course I said no. Months later over a few drinks while playing golf at the resort El Tamarindo he convinces me to sell it to him.

Four years later in the Summer of 2004 (I had already moved to the U.S. and I was living in Dallas at the time), I receive a call from my friend (who bought the watch and I haven't spoken to in two years) asking me to meet with him at DFW airport during a layover (he was on his way to Frankfurt) and do a watch trade where I could get my AP back. I decided to meet him at the airport and that's when he discloses that the watch is no longer running, the crown stem is broken, the crystal has a major chip and there are two links missing so the watch wouldn't even close on my wrist. Well, still with all the issues I decided to go ahead and do a watch trade with him to recover my Jumbo.

After recovering my watch, I decided to call AP to find out how much the service would cost. I was told back then, that my watch had to be sent to Le Brassus as they didn't have any qualified watchmakers to work on it here in the U.S. The cost back then, $1800 for the service plus $900 for two custom made two-tone extra links (as they didn't have any more in stock) so that my watch would fit. At the time, the bill sounded astronomical so I decided to find a watchmaker in the Dallas area that would be able to work on it. After weeks looking, I was referred to a watchmaker that was able to fix it, replaced the crystal and polished it for me at a reasonable price.

At the end of 2006, I decided to propose to my wife and had to cash out several pieces from my watch collection. Knowing how much the Jumbo represented to me, I decided to part with it as a symbol of how much she meant to me and for it to always be part of her engagement ring.

Fast forward to the Summer of 2008 during a humid and hot Sunday in NYC (living there at the time), I'm browsing the internet to see if I can find a RO Jumbo just like the one I sold a few years back (I was seriously missing it) and all of a sudden, I run into a listing with pictures of a watch that looked exactly like mine (the flaking on my dial was so unique that I was almost 100% sure it was my old piece). Immediately, I emailed the seller and asked if the serial number on the watch was 2XX. He answered the next day and said yes. As expected, I decided to purchase the watch back one more time. At this time the bezel has been poorly polished but watch is still running strong.

Finally, earlier this year with the watch still running, I decided to take the plunge and get a full service to bring it back to mint condition. Today the watch is fully restored, looking like new and happy to be home and part of my collection. I am not sure if I'll even wear the watch or not as I might just keep it as a safe queen.

The last three pictures at the bottom are of the watch before the service!

Big change right! BIG KUDOS to AP in Le Brassus! This is what I call top notch restoration service!!!!

[kilyung]

Gorgeous Hal!! The new mega tapisserie dial really transforms the watch into a modern piece.

[mb23]

Wow. Very happy day. And she looks like a brand new car all waxed and ready to go. Beautiful.

[jay1988]

Wow that's a story to tell the kids/grandkids if you have any and any WIS you ever happen to meet. Great stuff. Looks amazing and a nice AP collection you have there.

[mjclark32]

Wow, what a journey that piece has been on!
It looks great, glad you've got it back

[kevbm]

Wow. I only have 34 more years to go to accumulate the history and stories with my watch. Enjoy this beauty once again.

[TSW]

It came out beautiful Hal!

Once a again back in your great collection.

[alexlt730512]

Congrat, u still got the old parts back.

[HL65]

Beautiful Hal--looks great!

[orangedial]

Very nice story and what a strong connection you have with this particular watch. It looks amazing after a complete make-over! You should make a vow to never be parting with her again ;) Congrats!

[ocwatching]

LOOKS fanstastic..congrats on a great ending to this saga...

[seattle1978]

congrats! looking great!

[Rolex Freak]

Looks brand new.

[mws222]

Looks great, congrats!

[caryyee]

Wow, it looks like a completely different watch!!

Kudos to AP for returning the parts to you, something that Rolex would never ever do!!

[Peppers90]

Great story, Hal ;) thanks for sharing! IMO that is too beautiful to be sitting in the safe, and after all you went through to get her back- you need to be enjoying it! Look at that new charcoal dial- nicely done by AP and price was not unreasonable. I hope to see this in the Attire thread soon lol

[Lolay]

Glad it ended well...not that you'd expect anything less from AP. Great collection BTW! I'm enjoying a nice cup of coffee and this thread is a real treat!

[Submarino]

Originally Posted by kilyung

Gorgeous Hal!! The new mega tapisserie dial really transforms the watch into a modern piece.

Not mega tapisserie, Mike!!!

Still the old style. It might be my close up pics that make it look big.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk. Watches are the new currency!

[Submarino]

Originally Posted by orangedial

Very nice story and what a strong connection you have with this particular watch. It looks amazing after a complete make-over! You should make a vow to never be parting with her again ;) Congrats!

Indeed. I won't part with it. Thanks.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk. Watches are the new currency!

[Submarino]

Originally Posted by Peppers90

Great story, Hal ;) thanks for sharing! IMO that is too beautiful to be sitting in the safe, and after all you went through to get her back- you need to be enjoying it! Look at that new charcoal dial- nicely done by AP and price was not unreasonable. I hope to see this in the Attire thread soon lol

Thanks Shannon! You're damn right. Already about to post in the Attire thread.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk. Watches are the new currency!

[Peppers90]

Originally Posted by Submarino

Thanks Shannon! You're damn right. Already about to post in the Attire thread.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk. Watches are the new currency!

I personally don't understand the safe queen thing, but of course I only own 5 watches and I enjoy wearing all of them. Congrats, yours is a such a unique piece, it wouldn't do it justice sitting it a dark and lonely safe all day

[nick c]

stunning!

[Submarino]

Originally Posted by Peppers90

I personally don't understand the safe queen thing, but of course I only own 5 watches and I enjoy wearing all of them. Congrats, yours is a such a unique piece, it wouldn't do it justice sitting it a dark and lonely safe all day

I've always been against safe queens but when I first saw it and unpacked I felt I should go that route. Later in the day I decided to go out for drinks with Howard (ChicagoFan) and I felt I needed to share this beauty with him. I'm glad I did. I'll keep wearing it but I'll be careful with it. I'm of the idea that things are meant to be enjoyed, especially after sharing my story behind it.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk. Watches are the new currency!

[exchange83]

What a fantastic story. Thank you for sharing.

[emagni]

Awesome story. The love of your life :-)

[Lt.Arclight]

Beautiful,worth every penny. Wear it in good health.

[chicagofan]

Big congrats, Hal! Beautiful watch with a great story behind it.

[Fiddy]

Big congrats!
Worth the wait.

[onkyo]

Congrats Hal.... your watch looks amazing.

And the story is even more amazing.

Enjoy it to the fullest.

[craniotes]

That's not a watch, its a boomerang. An exquisitely finished, steel and gold boomerang that just so happens to tell the time.

Congratulations, Hal!

Regards,
Adam