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LookingforDadsWatch · 6 November 2015, 05:25 PM

Hi everyone,

I am trying to locate my Father's watch that was sold either here or on eBay about 3-5 years ago. I feel horrible that it was sold and want nothing more than to find it for him... I was a younger and dumber kid. My Dad is over it, but I'm not. I now have a good job and saved the money to buy it back.

It was an eighties submariner 16610 (I think) black dial with date - looked new as it was recently serviced. I got into contact with the guy that it was sold to and he said he sold it on eBay to a dealer in Chicago. But he had no idea who it was as it was a private sale.

What makes this unique is that my Father's name was engraved on the back. Jim is his first name and his last name starts with F.

Any ideas on how to track this down? Anyone know any Chicago dealers? I'd just like to buy it back :)

Thanks so much for any help!

RolexAuthority · 6 November 2015, 09:09 PM

So the chain of events can you clarify it please----
You sold to a guy - you've tracked him
That guy sold to a dealer in Chicago on eBay - you don't know who but he should have an eBay record of the buyers id - I would start there also
The dealer sold it on here or eBay but you don't know? His eBay Id might be same on here?

If you look on the for sale section you can search the sales with keywords see if anything comes up.

Alternatively you could buy your dad a new watch and have it engraved and present it to him in a surprise way I guarantee he will be overwhelmed by a sons gift.

greggsiam · 6 November 2015, 10:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RolexAuthority

Alternatively you could buy your dad a new watch and have it engraved and present it to him in a surprise way I guarantee he will be overwhelmed by a sons gift.

This

Since you said your dad is over it, he might just like a new one more than a 30 year old sub.

brandrea · 6 November 2015, 10:24 PM

Welcome to TRF, I hope you are able to find it.

Chadridv · 6 November 2015, 10:31 PM

So the guy you sold it to originally obviously has no obligation to help you further but if you press him and he's a good guy there's def more information to be had from him.

eBay has records of every transaction and i believe it would be within his rights to review the transaction details.

He should be able to at least get you a user name which may be a huge clue.

beer · 6 November 2015, 10:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RolexAuthority

Alternatively you could buy your dad a new watch and have it engraved and present it to him in a surprise way I guarantee he will be overwhelmed by a sons gift.

agree with this!

good chance your dad will understand that you were as you put it "a younger dumber kid" and understand that now you would not have done the same thing, and i think a new piece would be an awesome gesture

padi56 · 6 November 2015, 10:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LookingforDadsWatch

Hi everyone,

I am trying to locate my Father's watch that was sold either here or on eBay about 3-5 years ago. I feel horrible that it was sold and want nothing more than to find it for him... I was a younger and dumber kid. My Dad is over it, but I'm not. I now have a good job and saved the money to buy it back.

It was an eighties submariner 16610 (I think) black dial with date - looked new as it was recently serviced. I got into contact with the guy that it was sold to and he said he sold it on eBay to a dealer in Chicago. But he had no idea who it was as it was a private sale.

What makes this unique is that my Father's name was engraved on the back. Jim is his first name and his last name starts with F.

Any ideas on how to track this down? Anyone know any Chicago dealers? I'd just like to buy it back :)

Thanks so much for any help!

Apart from the case back a 16610 is just like the millions of other 16610 produced since 1988 till around 2010.So myself would just buy any 16610 in your budget and have the case back engraved.

Copasetic · 6 November 2015, 10:47 PM

I agree with the suggestions already made. But, I do know one Chicago dealer, Old World Jewelers. They are good guys and straight shooters.

jjnd08 · 6 November 2015, 11:12 PM

I agree with the suggestions. The caseback might have also been replaced with one that wasn't engraved. So your caseback could have been melted away in the Rolex factory.

LookingforDadsWatch · 7 November 2015, 02:11 AM

Thanks everyone. Sequence:

I sold it. It was either here or on eBay. I think it was here.

I searched my old emails and found the guy's info that I sold it to.

I texted him a few weeks ago and he instantly got back to me. I was very nice and let him know that I was just looking for it to buy it back and he said he had sold it on eBay to a guy in Chicago who was a dealer. I asked him for any info on this person and could he help me by contacting him and he said no. He did say he was "very sorry" and that it was a private sale etc. But he wasn't very helpful. So, no. Not interested in helping. Which sucks :(

My Dad gave me the submariner as a gift. And I sold it. I was a jerk and funded a trip with it (as I was poor). My dad doesn't want it back, nor does he want a new one (he has other Rolexs). I want it back. I found out that he bought it as a gift for himself after his first successful year starting his own business. Now that I have had that year, it would mean the world to me. And show my Dad a little something about me to :)

Another watch won't do. I guess it would. But that's not the point.

Thanks so much for any help :)

Tony64 · 7 November 2015, 03:28 AM

I assume that the OP is trying to atone for his youthful indiscretion and wants to be reunited with his father's watch. Perhaps it was a graduation or birthday gift. Regardless, it was a thoughtful gesture of his father to pass his watch father to son and now his son appreciates the significance of this gesture only years later.

Buying his father a new watch is a nice gesture to be sure, but accomplishes little to solve the OP's dilemma. Buying a similar watch and engraving the caseback also seems hollow, as it's a replacement and not the original. I realize that functionally and perhaps aesthetically there is no difference, but for the OP it will never truly be his father's watch, merely a copy.

There's actually a pretty good video on YouTube that was produced by Patek that tells a similar story of a son buying back his father's Patek years later at auction. I think it's called "for my son" and I'll try to post a link if I can find it.

Sorry to hear of this situation and wish that you are successful in your search. A good lesson for all of us who want to pass our watches to our children. Make sure that they are old enough and mature enough to appreciate your gesture. Don't just give them the watch at graduation but sit down with them and make sure that they truly appreciate the significance. Remember that the WIS gene is often recessive.

Tony64 · 7 November 2015, 03:33 AM

"A mon fils" (to my son)
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=nc8i5DO-BW4

tkerrmd · 7 November 2015, 03:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by padi56

Apart from the case back a 16610 is just like the millions of other 16610 produced since 1988 till around 2010.So myself would just buy any 16610 in your budget and have the case back engraved.

yup!

tkc324 · 7 November 2015, 03:46 AM

just buy another sub and engrave it... good luck man.

Lordofrolex · 7 November 2015, 04:09 AM

Not an impossible mission but will take a lot of work finding this watch.

Oyster Al · 7 November 2015, 04:18 AM

Howard frum.... Wabash Av. Chicago
Old world jewelers.......Wheaton (Andy)
These are two of the bigger ones.

Also....
Arlington heights Rolex AD sells preowned from time to time.
James and sons Rolex AD sells preowned from time to time.

LookingforDadsWatch · 7 November 2015, 04:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LookingforDadsWatch

Thanks everyone. Sequence:

I sold it. It was either here or on eBay. I think it was here.

I searched my old emails and found the guy's info that I sold it to.

I texted him a few weeks ago and he instantly got back to me. I was very nice and let him know that I was just looking for it to buy it back and he said he had sold it on eBay to a guy in Chicago who was a dealer. I asked him for any info on this person and could he help me by contacting him and he said no. He did say he was "very sorry" and that it was a private sale etc. But he wasn't very helpful. So, no. Not interested in helping. Which sucks :(

My Dad gave me the submariner as a gift. And I sold it. I was a jerk and funded a trip with it (as I was poor). My dad doesn't want it back, nor does he want a new one (he has other Rolexs). I want it back. I found out that he bought it as a gift for himself after his first successful year starting his own business. Now that I have had that year, it would mean the world to me. And show my Dad a little something about me to :)

Another watch won't do. I guess it would. But that's not the point.

Thanks so much for any help :)

Ack, how do I edit a post? "... show my Dad a little something about me too" is what it was supposed to say ;)

Etschell · 7 November 2015, 04:22 AM

good luck. lesson learned for you.

LookingforDadsWatch · 7 November 2015, 04:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Etschell

good luck. lesson learned for you.

Yes sir.

sickened1 · 7 November 2015, 04:28 AM

Yup, good luck and hope you find it. If not then just do like everyone said, get one (same or newer reference, it's up to you) and engrave it.

Sublover2166 · 7 November 2015, 04:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LookingforDadsWatch

Hi everyone,

I am trying to locate my Father's watch that was sold either here or on eBay about 3-5 years ago. I feel horrible that it was sold and want nothing more than to find it for him... I was a younger and dumber kid. My Dad is over it, but I'm not. I now have a good job and saved the money to buy it back.

It was an eighties submariner 16610 (I think) black dial with date - looked new as it was recently serviced. I got into contact with the guy that it was sold to and he said he sold it on eBay to a dealer in Chicago. But he had no idea who it was as it was a private sale.

What makes this unique is that my Father's name was engraved on the back. Jim is his first name and his last name starts with F.

Any ideas on how to track this down? Anyone know any Chicago dealers? I'd just like to buy it back :)

Thanks so much for any help!

While I can sympathize and understand your dilemma, tracking this watch down may not be impossible but unfortunately close to it. Chances are that engraved case back was replaced with a new one by whomever bought the watch. I can't imagine somebody buying the watch and keeping it as is with the initials of a person engraved in the back. Sometimes "miracles" do happen and I certainly wish you the best outcome possible. Remember, we all do foolish things when young, I wish the hands of time could be turned back but reality is they cannot.

JohnAndrew · 7 November 2015, 04:53 AM

I can appreciate the OP's wanting to find the original watch.
I came close once, in my youth, to selling my Sub. My father, had given it to me, for graduation. If I had, I would do my very best to get that Sub back.
I could loose any of my other watches and be temporarily bummed out, but get over it.
But the watch he gave me, I will pass to one of my son's someday.

I wish you the best in your journey. Please post some pics, if you are able to get it back.

LookingforDadsWatch · 7 November 2015, 04:55 AM

"good luck. lesson learned for you."

Yes sir.

Thanks everyone,

I emailed Frum Jewelers in Chicago. I appreciate the lead. And, yes, I fully understand that it might be a lost cause. But I can't help but feel that I have to try....

SLS · 7 November 2015, 05:17 AM

Most of the time, when case backs are engraved, the engraving is not very deep so it can be polished out...which is what most likely happened. Sorry & good luck.
Scott

hbombkid · 7 November 2015, 05:44 AM

Do you or your dad have any historical info on the watch maybe SN? Maybe you could post it here and see if anyone knows anything about it.

LookingforDadsWatch · 7 November 2015, 05:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hbombkid

Do you or your dad have any historical info on the watch maybe SN? Maybe you could post it here and see if anyone knows anything about it.

Negative. Unfortunately, all paperwork was given away to the seller. And I think I remember now... I had it on eBay and it didn't sell. Then someone contact me on eBay about it after the sale (bidder that didn't win) and it sold to him. I have his phone and email but I feel bad bugging him as he seems as though he doesn't want to help. There are a lot of good people and dealers here on this forum - so thought I would just put the word out :)

Thanks again everyone!

Oyster Al · 7 November 2015, 06:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LookingforDadsWatch

"good luck. lesson learned for you."

Yes sir.

Thanks everyone,

I emailed Frum Jewelers in Chicago. I appreciate the lead. And, yes, I fully understand that it might be a lost cause. But I can't help but feel that I have to try....

CALL him and explain what your're trying to do.

cdmorenot · 7 November 2015, 06:57 AM

When it comes to these sort of things where emotions are involved you MUST call. An e-mail will not send the full message across. Best of luck to you!

rollee1 · 7 November 2015, 07:50 AM

I understand your predicament.
I just spent a huge amount of money to restore my dad's vintage Date, silly investment to many but priceless for me.

Your best chance in finding the watch is that the engraved case is still on the watch itself.
Apart from calling every possible dealer and posting to any watch forum you can put your fingers to.
Pray to St. Anthony.

Best of luck.

asleep · 7 November 2015, 07:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LookingforDadsWatch

... I had it on eBay and it didn't sell. Then someone contact me on eBay about it after the sale (bidder that didn't win) and it sold to him. I have his phone and email but I feel bad bugging him as he seems as though he doesn't want to help.

I'd contact him, but wouldn't be surprised if he had it buffed out:

http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=171274

Good luck.

6 November 2015, 05:25 PM	#1
LookingforDadsWatch "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 14	Trying to find my Dad's watch... Hi everyone, I am trying to locate my Father's watch that was sold either here or on eBay about 3-5 years ago. I feel horrible that it was sold and want nothing more than to find it for him... I was a younger and dumber kid. My Dad is over it, but I'm not. I now have a good job and saved the money to buy it back. It was an eighties submariner 16610 (I think) black dial with date - looked new as it was recently serviced. I got into contact with the guy that it was sold to and he said he sold it on eBay to a dealer in Chicago. But he had no idea who it was as it was a private sale. What makes this unique is that my Father's name was engraved on the back. Jim is his first name and his last name starts with F. Any ideas on how to track this down? Anyone know any Chicago dealers? I'd just like to buy it back :) Thanks so much for any help!

6 November 2015, 11:12 PM	#9
jjnd08 "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: United States Posts: 8,615	I agree with the suggestions. The caseback might have also been replaced with one that wasn't engraved. So your caseback could have been melted away in the Rolex factory. __________________ ---------------------- Instagram: watchesandchickensandwiches

7 November 2015, 04:09 AM	#15
Lordofrolex "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2015 Real Name: Brandon Location: Los Angeles, CA Watch: Yes Please! Posts: 6,691	Not an impossible mission but will take a lot of work finding this watch. __________________ Rolex GMT Master II 116710LN Panerai PAM 359 Audemars Piguet RO 15300OR Follow me on Instagram: @b_jakobovich

7 November 2015, 05:17 AM	#24
SLS "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Real Name: Scott Location: GMT -7 Watch: GMT's & Sub's Posts: 10,401	Most of the time, when case backs are engraved, the engraving is not very deep so it can be polished out...which is what most likely happened. Sorry & good luck. Scott __________________ "The bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of lower price is forgotten." -Benjamin Franklin Member No. 922

7 November 2015, 07:50 AM	#29
rollee1 "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Real Name: Rollee Location: Boston Watch: it watching me Posts: 1,945	I understand your predicament. I just spent a huge amount of money to restore my dad's vintage Date, silly investment to many but priceless for me. Your best chance in finding the watch is that the engraved case is still on the watch itself. Apart from calling every possible dealer and posting to any watch forum you can put your fingers to. Pray to St. Anthony. Best of luck. __________________ Time you enjoy wasting was not wasted

6 November 2015, 09:09 PM	#2
RolexAuthority Banned Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: London Posts: 1,233	So the chain of events can you clarify it please---- You sold to a guy - you've tracked him That guy sold to a dealer in Chicago on eBay - you don't know who but he should have an eBay record of the buyers id - I would start there also The dealer sold it on here or eBay but you don't know? His eBay Id might be same on here? If you look on the for sale section you can search the sales with keywords see if anything comes up. Alternatively you could buy your dad a new watch and have it engraved and present it to him in a surprise way I guarantee he will be overwhelmed by a sons gift.

6 November 2015, 10:24 PM	#4
brandrea 2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Real Name: Brian (TBone) Location: canada Watch: es make me smile Posts: 78,106	Welcome to TRF, I hope you are able to find it.

6 November 2015, 10:31 PM	#5
Chadridv 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Real Name: Chadri Location: LI, NY Watch: 116610LV Posts: 11,357	So the guy you sold it to originally obviously has no obligation to help you further but if you press him and he's a good guy there's def more information to be had from him. eBay has records of every transaction and i believe it would be within his rights to review the transaction details. He should be able to at least get you a user name which may be a huge clue.

6 November 2015, 10:47 PM	#8
Copasetic 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Jul 2015 Real Name: Howie Location: Florida Watch: Varies Posts: 578	I agree with the suggestions already made. But, I do know one Chicago dealer, Old World Jewelers. They are good guys and straight shooters.

7 November 2015, 02:11 AM	#10
LookingforDadsWatch "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 14	Thanks everyone. Sequence: I sold it. It was either here or on eBay. I think it was here. I searched my old emails and found the guy's info that I sold it to. I texted him a few weeks ago and he instantly got back to me. I was very nice and let him know that I was just looking for it to buy it back and he said he had sold it on eBay to a guy in Chicago who was a dealer. I asked him for any info on this person and could he help me by contacting him and he said no. He did say he was "very sorry" and that it was a private sale etc. But he wasn't very helpful. So, no. Not interested in helping. Which sucks :( My Dad gave me the submariner as a gift. And I sold it. I was a jerk and funded a trip with it (as I was poor). My dad doesn't want it back, nor does he want a new one (he has other Rolexs). I want it back. I found out that he bought it as a gift for himself after his first successful year starting his own business. Now that I have had that year, it would mean the world to me. And show my Dad a little something about me to :) Another watch won't do. I guess it would. But that's not the point. Thanks so much for any help :)

7 November 2015, 03:28 AM	#11
Tony64 "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: U.S.A. Posts: 2,796	I assume that the OP is trying to atone for his youthful indiscretion and wants to be reunited with his father's watch. Perhaps it was a graduation or birthday gift. Regardless, it was a thoughtful gesture of his father to pass his watch father to son and now his son appreciates the significance of this gesture only years later. Buying his father a new watch is a nice gesture to be sure, but accomplishes little to solve the OP's dilemma. Buying a similar watch and engraving the caseback also seems hollow, as it's a replacement and not the original. I realize that functionally and perhaps aesthetically there is no difference, but for the OP it will never truly be his father's watch, merely a copy. There's actually a pretty good video on YouTube that was produced by Patek that tells a similar story of a son buying back his father's Patek years later at auction. I think it's called "for my son" and I'll try to post a link if I can find it. Sorry to hear of this situation and wish that you are successful in your search. A good lesson for all of us who want to pass our watches to our children. Make sure that they are old enough and mature enough to appreciate your gesture. Don't just give them the watch at graduation but sit down with them and make sure that they truly appreciate the significance. Remember that the WIS gene is often recessive.

7 November 2015, 03:33 AM	#12
Tony64 "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: U.S.A. Posts: 2,796	"A mon fils" (to my son) https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=nc8i5DO-BW4

7 November 2015, 03:46 AM	#14
tkc324 "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Real Name: Tom Location: Chi town Watch: Daytona AP DD Sub Posts: 3,717	just buy another sub and engrave it... good luck man.

7 November 2015, 04:18 AM	#16
Oyster Al "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Real Name: Al Location: USA Posts: 1,550	Howard frum.... Wabash Av. Chicago Old world jewelers.......Wheaton (Andy) These are two of the bigger ones. Also.... Arlington heights Rolex AD sells preowned from time to time. James and sons Rolex AD sells preowned from time to time.

7 November 2015, 04:22 AM	#18
Etschell "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: FL Watch: platinum sub Posts: 15,884	good luck. lesson learned for you.

7 November 2015, 04:28 AM	#20
sickened1 2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Real Name: Ed Location: SoCal Watch: ugiveiswatchuget Posts: 9,054	Yup, good luck and hope you find it. If not then just do like everyone said, get one (same or newer reference, it's up to you) and engrave it.

7 November 2015, 04:53 AM	#22
JohnAndrew "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Real Name: John Location: Florida Panhandle Watch: 16800, 16803,79170 Posts: 1,427	I can appreciate the OP's wanting to find the original watch. I came close once, in my youth, to selling my Sub. My father, had given it to me, for graduation. If I had, I would do my very best to get that Sub back. I could loose any of my other watches and be temporarily bummed out, but get over it. But the watch he gave me, I will pass to one of my son's someday. I wish you the best in your journey. Please post some pics, if you are able to get it back.

7 November 2015, 04:55 AM	#23
LookingforDadsWatch "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 14	"good luck. lesson learned for you." Yes sir. Thanks everyone, I emailed Frum Jewelers in Chicago. I appreciate the lead. And, yes, I fully understand that it might be a lost cause. But I can't help but feel that I have to try....

7 November 2015, 05:44 AM	#25
hbombkid "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: VA Watch: Sub 116610 Posts: 1,082	Do you or your dad have any historical info on the watch maybe SN? Maybe you could post it here and see if anyone knows anything about it.

7 November 2015, 06:57 AM	#28
cdmorenot 2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Real Name: Carlos. Location: NNJ - MDE Watch: = Want them all. Posts: 3,697	When it comes to these sort of things where emotions are involved you MUST call. An e-mail will not send the full message across. Best of luck to you!

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