A Tale of Loss, a Girl and Redemption. (Long post, pic heavy)

[D O C]

My long lost baby (first few pictures) GMT Master II 16710 Pepsi "P" 2001. I sold her almost two years ago for financial reasons. And I've regretted it ever since.

My daughter had gone to a private college and hadn't done that well the last two semesters. We decided she should take a break from the private college and attend the local community college, raise her grades, graduate with an Associates degree and then go back to the expensive and more prestigious private university. And she did it, raising her grades and graduating with her Associates degree from the community college. So, I needed to get her back into the private university and pay for tuition and books; I made the sacrifice and sold my 16710. There's not a day that went by that I didn't feel like I regretted that decision. I thought I would have that watch the rest of my life and I would pass it down to one of my daughters or my grandson. A little over a year after selling it I went back to the dealer to try and buy it back or to find out where it ended up. He just told me that he'd sold it to another dealer at a watch show or somewhere. I knew then that I'd never see my watch again. I thought about it for awhile and shopped around and realized that I didn't want another 16710, I wanted MY 16710. I thought of all the memories I had with that watch as I had received it as a gift after graduating medical school. I went through residency training with that watch, taught all my daughters and a grandson to swim in that watch and any picture traveling or family event there is my 16710 right there like another family member. I'd obtained the additional Coke and Expresso bezel inserts to go with the Pepsi and had enjoyed switching with the seasons or on a whim. My next step was to get a jubilee bracelet at some point, but I never did. And I learned I'd taken my watch for granted. You don't know what you really have until its gone...

By March of this year life had been very good through my job and several opportunities had come to fruition. The amount of this extra income could probably buy me a gold President DD per year now, and come close to a Platinum DD. But you figure in doing smart things like putting back for income taxes, things needed around the house, charities, savings and 401k that best not to just consume it all. I decided early on that I'd definitely go with the DJ41, blue dial with the jubilee bracelet...until I tried it on and realized it seemed too blingy to me; it wasn't my style though I loved the watch. But I knew I'd always be a sport watch person. Next I was totally sure it'd be the Submariner Date, just couldn't decide between the classic 16610 or the 116610LN. I researched the heck out of these watches. But it wasn't until a chance meeting and seeing the 16710LN GMT Master II in person that I seen that it was the watch for me. Granted I'd had my reservations about the PCLs for some time and read over and over how easily they scratch. And the ceramic bezel as well; I'd read here in TRF years ago how that some were saying they shatter easily. In fact, I swore when they first starting making the ceramic insert for the bezel that I'd never own one. Having owned and wore a 16710 for 15 years I didn't like the new Maxi dial, I thought it looked too clownish and gimmicky. All that fell by the way side when I seen it and tried it on. I loved seeing that Oyster bracelet again. But this time with that nice thick boxy case, larger Crown and crown guards, and I loved seeing the platinum numbers on the dial. I can't say there is just one thing I love about it. The thick, substantial bracelet continues to impress me. The cyclops for the date, but now with the greenish-purple sheen of the AR coating, has always been a nice part of having a Rolex watch. So I contacted my man DavidSW and told him what I wanted. He had it within a week, bank wire was sent and I had it by FedEx the next day.

When the watch arrived and I put it on it was a perfect fit; no adjustments needed just like my previous watch. In fact, I felt like I had my old 16710 on from the profile. I like owning and wearing an updated Rolex watch with all the newest features. Unless it was my original 16710, I don't think I could ever go back. The wait was over. My watch was here and home now. I hope you enjoy the pictures, both old and new.

Epilogue: My daughter is doing well as an Art major. She is now a Senior and will graduate next May with a Bachelor's in Studio Art.




An old friend.






My new friend.








Me and my daughter eating alligator.


Picture of my daughter. She is a Senior now.