My First and my last Rolex

[Subexplorer]

My First Rolex was a 5513 Submariner (no date) which my parents presented me for my 18th birthday, in September 1966.
My father was a Rolex fan, and I got to know the Brand in the earlies 1960´s.
I badly wanted a Submariner since then, and I loved that watch.
Unfortunately, I lost it during an armed robbery I suffered in February 1977.

I was so sad, scared and dissapointed, that a couple of days after the robbery, my wife surprised me with a brand new Submariner date (ref 1680).
I still keep that watch, which was my only time keeper during a lot of time.
It accompanied me in lots of sport Scuba dives, and in my daily activities.
I own several Rolex now, but this Submariner keeps being my favorite.







Last September 2008, was my 60th birthday, and I presented myself with a watch I had been wanting for long: a new Explorer 1.
This is a low profile watch, very elegant, a true classic. Though I would prefer the old style full luminous numerals and markings of previous models, I like this little plain watch very much.
I have been using it almost full time since I purchased it.

As said in the title, these are the first and the last Rolex, but it doesn´t mean the last I ever buy. I´m looking forward to purchase a new Daytona, during next year 2009!
Hope you like these watches.
Best regards, Abel

[kcmo]

Welcome to TRF, Abel! Your Sub is a beauty and congrats on the Explorer!

[onkyo]

Hi Abel. Welcome to TRF. Sorry to hear about the armed robbery. I hate thieves, especially ones with guns. Anyway, beautiful 1680 and congrats on the new Exp I.

[WatchTimes]

I LOVE your sub!!
Beautiful example!

[Subexplorer]

Kcmo, Onkyo, JYogi: Thanks for your kind comments!!
Jeremy: seems that we share some same "vices": timepieces, firearms, and knives!
Hope you enjoy all them as me!
Thank you again!
very cordially, Abel

[WatchTimes]

Abel, you have one of the best holster makers in the world in Argentina...

Also I hear some of the sexiest women in the world from what I hear....

[meloncap78]

Welcome Abel. Great pieces, the both of them. Love that Sub, Perfect patina.

[hflee55]

Welcome to TRF Abel. Very nice Sub you have there.

[Singslinger]

Nice watch! I believe Rolex still have parts for that model because a friend recently had his overhauled, so if you wanted to restore it to tip-top condition, you shouldn't have a problem. Merry Xmas!

[oldrolex]

verry nice

[Bisquitlips]

Saaaaweeet! !!!!

[GradyPhilpott]

I'm an Explorer fan, too!

[oztimelord]

Love the Sub, were you the first and only owner?

[JJ Irani]

Welcome to TRF, Abel. Two super watches you have there.

Cheers and Merry Christmas - JJ

[Subexplorer]

Hello everybody!!
Hope all Forum members had a Great Christmas!!
Thanks to all for your kind comments.

To JYogi: May be you are taking about Mr Berasategui? Yes, he makes some great work with leather here. He is a good friend too.
About Argentine women... oh yeah! They ARE here!!

Singslinger:
Yes, overhauling is not a problem here, as Rolex runs a big facilitiy downtown, since several decades now, in a great building downtown.
I only would hate to destroy the beautiful patina of the face of this watch.
I will talk with them to service my watch without touching that face!

Oztimelord: Yes, my wife bought this watch for me, brand new from a local AD, with all papers, box, etc, which I still keep with my watch.

JJ: Thanks for your kind comments.

Thanks again for reading my post!!
Best regards, Abel

[GBJIV]

Very beautiful. I have a 1680 also - 1970 - and I have a explorer I. They are both wonderful. Welcome to TRF. Thanks for sharing. Best to you and your family!

[Subexplorer]

GradyPhilpott:
You got a great watch there!
Thanks for sharing
Abel

[KenrickJ]

Sweeet, congratulations

[333D]

Hi Abel,
Great pics! I especially liked that first pic with the Sub and ExpI side-by-side. That's a rarity.

If I may ask,, how many times (if ever) have you serviced the Rolex since 1977? I'm just curious.

Happy Holidays!
--dave

[Subexplorer]

Hi Dave! Thanks for your comments.
I´m rather ashamed to tell you that I never serviced my Submariner, since I got it.
My first 5513, which I kept during 11 years, was serviced almost every three years.
I had a friend in the local Rolex service dept, and he always serviced my watch with special care. He always serviced other Rolexes I own.
I guess this man is retired now.
But my 1680 Submariner never was serviced by any reason or other.
I don´t use it very often now, because I´m afraid to have it stolen too, and as said, it is my favourite. I prefer to risk other watches.
Anyway, I put to use from time to time, an works perfectly. I only need to put it in the right time, give it a little manual charge, and starts clicking as new.
Anyway, I understand that it is time to have it serviced and oiled, but I´m only afraid that the face will be touched and not kept original as it is now, specially the yellowish color of its luminous markings.
I guess I´ll take the watch to Rolex SD during 2009!
Thank you for your question!
Very cordially. Abel

[joeyk]

nice classic sub always wanted 1 and exp 1 :)

[G.J]

Welcome..!!

And a very nice Sub you have there, great patina on the dial..

[mailman]

Welcome Abel

Those are two great watches you have The Sub is priceless because it was given to you by your wife. It's nice to see that it was your daily wearer for a while It looks fantastic

[Subexplorer]

Thanks mailman! Yes it has been my only watch for six years, and my main using watch for several decades. Now it´s semi-retired for safety reasons as explained. Too valuable for me
for sentimental reasons.

JoeyK and G.J. thanks for your comments!
very cordially, Abel

[333D]

Hi Abel,
WOW. THIRTY YEARS without a service. That's awesome! Nothing to be ashamed about. It shows the durability of the Rolex automatic movement.

If you do decide to have it serviced,, if it was me,, I would only get the movement checked/oiled. And gaskets replaced for waterproofness. Don't replace anything due to cosmetic reasons. Not even the acrylic crystal. Just keep the old one unless they tell you it affects waterproofness. No polish, no buff, no nothing.

A watch gets to a point where it's so old and cherished, it's more of a memento rather than a watch you wear on a regular basis. I understand that it's just too personally valuable, and not worth the risk. It's time to retire it :)

Taking a watch to a Rolex Service Center is an interesting experience. You present the watch to the front desk assistant. He looks over the watch noting the model, serial number, visible condition, number of links in the bracelet, etc,, takes down all your contact information and enters it all in the computer,, you're now in THE SYSTEM :)

The watch goes to the back room and you take a seat. In 15 mins, the watch comes out and the assistant presents the watch back to you along with a printout of the Rolex recommended repairs/replacements along with the corresponding costs of each and every item.

You, the customer, decides EXACTLY what is to be done and what is to be left alone. It's a very systematic process. Rolex will probably "recommend" you replace nearly everything on that watch. New dial, new hands, new crystal, new band, new bezel, etc,,, just decline. Go down the list and decline everything you do not want. And they will abide by your decisions.

Rolex just loves polishing and buffing watches. You MUST explicitly tell them to type it on the invoice that the watch is not to be polished or buffed (if you so desire).

After everything is settled on, they will give you an invoice listing exactly what is to be replaced and the costs. If you have second thoughts, just thank them for their time, take your watch and come back another day :)

That's a beautiful watch. Take your time with it.

Best of luck in the new year.
--dave

[Subexplorer]

Dear Dave:
Thank you for your time in writing.

I agree with you every word you say:

"...If you do decide to have it serviced,, if it was me,, I would only get the movement checked/oiled. And gaskets replaced for waterproofness. Don't replace anything due to cosmetic reasons. Not even the acrylic crystal. Just keep the old one unless they tell you it affects waterproofness. No polish, no buff, no nothing.
A watch gets to a point where it's so old and cherished, it's more of a memento rather than a watch you wear on a regular basis. I understand that it's just too personally valuable, and not worth the risk. It's time to retire it :)..."

I sincerely apreciate your understanding about my feelings about this watch.
I´m going to do exactly as you say.
I´ll try to keep intact the appearance of my Sub, and just clean and oil mechanism, and gaskets.
I don´t mind about the many little scratches on its case, which are some kind of "scars" which remind me of the many hours of pleasure it gave to me. They should remain there.

I think one of the Big Values of Rolex watches, is the proud of ownership it gives to the owner. This is specially true in the case of this Sub, but also with other Rolex I presently own.

Thank you again!
Have a great New 2009!
Very cordially, Abel

[sea-dweller]

Nice watches !

[bodybump]

Abel your just starting ..trust me its not the start not the last hahahaha

[Subexplorer]

Dennis: Thank you so much!
Oscar: Thanks! that´s true, I´m after my SS Daytona just now!!
Kind regards pals!
Abel