Inherited my dad's watch

[RolieKid]

Hey all, I am new to the Rolex forums and the world of Rolex. My dad past away not too long ago, and I inherited his watch. He bought the watch after I was born in 1980 I am told, and he wanted to give it to me after he past. It's now mine. It needs to be cleaned, and it needs a battery. I bought it to Rolex NYC for a new battery and cleaning, but they said it has a lot of oxidation and needs a complete overhaul at around 2k plus tax. Apparently, I cannot post a pic as I am a new member. It's a 1980 yellow gold rolex president with a diamond bezel and diamond dial where the arabic numbers are. I hope that describes it better. Once I am able to post a pic, I will.

I wanted to trade it in for a white gold or stainless steel daytona, but my siblings (which seem a bit jealous) and my mother are adamantly against me trading it for something else. Saying that your father will turn over in his grave and if you change it, I will take it back. She can't, as it was willed to me, but I do not want to cause any ripples in the family.

I was thinking of exchanging the diamond bezel for a regular one and changing the dial to a black one with gold prongs, but open to suggestions from the community. I am not a flashy person, so I really do not know when I'd wear it. He loved this watch. Not to get too personal, but when he was in the ER due to a heart attack, he felt the nurse take off his watch. We all gasped as he gathered enough strength to attempt to fight off the nurse. My mother was able to calm him down and she took it off of him. He passed on 12 hours later. So, yea, it's still hard for me to trade it in for something else. It's just too flashy for me to wear daily. Not sure how I'd be able to pull off wearing a 20k watch.

Anyways, open to suggestions. Thank you all in advance for some guidance.

[Brew]

I am sorry for your loss. Have you considered putting the watch in a safe, and wait until you feel more comfortable enjoying it? I wouldn't change it, personally.

[Torque Time]

Deepest condolences for your loss! The watch may not reflect or represent your personality. But consider it a possible conversation started where you will be able to share the love you have for your father, even in his passing, with others who notice the flashy time piece he left to you.

Regardless, I would not change it or trade. One day, you will regret that decision!

Best of luck with your new inheritance!

[RolieKid]

Here's what it looks like. Pretty similar, not 100%. I am still new to the Rolex game.

[RolieKid]

Originally Posted by Brew

I am sorry for your loss. Have you considered putting the watch in a safe, and wait until you feel more comfortable enjoying it? I wouldn't change it, personally.

Thank you for the kind words. It's currently at Rolex's safe in NYC. I don't have a safe, but I guess I will have to get one. Maybe store it in a safe deposit box at the bank?

[RolieKid]

Originally Posted by Torque Time

Deepest condolences for your loss! The watch may not reflect or represent your personality. But consider it a possible conversation started where you will be able to share the love you have for your father, even in his passing, with others who notice the flashy time piece he left to you.

Regardless, I would not change it or trade. One day, you will regret that decision!

Best of luck with your new inheritance!

Thank you also for the kind words. I know that is what I am leaning towards too.

[Pongster]

Am sorry for your loss.

It’s beautiful as is. Wont change a thing. Would wear it proudly because of story.

Just didnt quite understand the battery change.

[RolieKid]

I was hoping it wouldn't cost so much to get it serviced. I called a few authorized Rolex dealers in NYC and they told me they send it to Rolex, so I assume they'd charge more. 2k for an overall and a battery is a bit much for me right now. They said it is very oxidized and needs a new battery. The battery they'd replace for free apparently, just not the labor.

[RolieKid]

Originally Posted by Pongster

Am sorry for your loss.

It’s beautiful as is. Wont change a thing. Would wear it proudly because of story.

Just didnt quite understand the battery change.

Thank you for the kind words. The battery is dead, so it needs to be changed. I thought that was strange as my mom's is self powering. I would had thought my dad would had opted for that as well.

[RolieKid]

I guess I would also be concerned about wearing such a piece of jewelry on my wrist. It causes a lot of people to stare.

[IngarH]

If your Rolex is similar to that in the picture, I don’t think it is a quartz, and therefore there is no battery. This is an automatic which is powered by the movements of your hand. And if so, the Rolex dealer might try to trick you.

[peterpl]

I would not trade that ever. Wear it proudly as your father did.

A Day date is the best watch a man could ever want and obviously your father appreciated it.

[2001jesper]

Deepest condolences! Would keep it and have it fixed, especially since its a watch that was your fathers daily - you can probably find it on every picture of him. Dont let it sit and further decay if its a qvartz (but it does not look like a quartz ) .

Try wearing it a week or two. Most often its the wearer who thinks that everybody stares at it, but in reality 99% of people don't care. If you don't want it, then you are free to pass it on to someone in your family who have a stronger connection to it or potentially to your children later on.

[swatty]

Originally Posted by Tony-GB

>

[RolieKid]

Originally Posted by IngarH

If your Rolex is similar to that in the picture, I don’t think it is a quartz, and therefore there is no battery. This is an automatic which is powered by the movements of your hand. And if so, the Rolex dealer might try to trick you.

Only going by what the lady said from Rolex NYC. I am just trying to find a similar picture, so it looks like that one. Mom told me it was bought in 1980 from Tourneau.

[RolieKid]

Originally Posted by peterpl

I would not trade that ever. Wear it proudly as your father did.

A Day date is the best watch a man could ever want and obviously your father appreciated it.

Certainly going to try.

[RolieKid]

Originally Posted by 2001jesper

Deepest condolences! Would keep it and have it fixed, especially since its a watch that was your fathers daily - you can probably find it on every picture of him. Dont let it sit and further decay if its a qvartz (but it does not look like a quartz ) .

Try wearing it a week or two. Most often its the wearer who thinks that everybody stares at it, but in reality 99% of people don't care. If you don't want it, then you are free to pass it on to someone in your family who have a stronger connection to it or potentially to your children later on.

Thank you for the condolences. I will certainly try when it comes back.

[RolieKid]

Originally Posted by Tony-GB

>

What's with the couple laughing and smiling?

[Harry-57]

Did the RSC tell you it needs a new battery?

[RolieKid]

Originally Posted by Harry-57

Did the RSC tell you it needs a new battery?

Yes, Dad always dropped it off at RSC 5th ave, so that is where I sent it to for a service estimate.

[Room 101]

RollieKid - do yourself a favour and do not alter the watch. If you do not like it. Give it to another family member that will appreciate it. To change anything on that watch is just disrespectful in my opinion. You are talking about an item that your mother says your father treasured. When you were born (assuming you are the eldest) he decided this watch should go to his first born when he departs the mortal coil.

That watch has history... providence. You don't throw those away. That's an heirloom and if you do alter it, trust me one day you will regret it. That's a link to your past of what I hope were happier days. I would never do that to my father's watch. If I receive his watch in probate. It will be kept forever, worn on special occasions and I will remember him fondly every-time I place that watch on my wrist. Do not destroy that link. I think it is the utmost sign of disrespect and I am not surprised that your family are offended by your actions/wants. I don't think they're jealous. That is why some guy on here posted a picture of popcorn... because this has clearly gone over your head and you do not understand.

If you don't want it and have no intention of wearing it. Do the right thing and give it to someone who will appreciate and treasure that watch.

[RolieKid]

Originally Posted by Room 101

RollieKid - do yourself a favour and do not alter the watch. If you do not like it. Give it to another family member that will appreciate it. To change anything on that watch is just disrespectful in my opinion. You are talking about an item that your mother says your father treasured. When you were born (assuming you are the eldest) he decided this watch should go to his first born when he departs the mortal coil.

That watch has history... providence. You don't throw those away. That's an heirloom and if you do alter it, trust me one day you will regret it. That's a link to your past of what I hope were happier days. I would never do that to my father's watch. If I receive his watch in probate. It will be kept forever, worn on special occasions and I will remember him fondly every-time I place that watch on my wrist. Do not destroy that link. I think it is the utmost sign of disrespect and I am not surprised that your family are offended by your actions/wants. I don't think they're jealous. That is why some guy on here posted a picture of popcorn... because this has clearly gone over your head and you do not understand.

If you don't want it and have no intention of wearing it. Do the right thing and give it to someone who will appreciate and treasure that watch.

You bring up a good point and it makes sense. I will not alter. Thank you for shedding some light on this. No, I am not the oldest, I am the youngest. The others have Rolexes that were given to them as gifts. I was never privy to one; never understood why.

[jps3b]

Originally Posted by Room 101

RollieKid - do yourself a favour and do not alter the watch. If you do not like it. Give it to another family member that will appreciate it. To change anything on that watch is just disrespectful in my opinion. You are talking about an item that your mother says your father treasured. When you were born (assuming you are the eldest) he decided this watch should go to his first born when he departs the mortal coil.

That watch has history... providence. You don't throw those away. That's an heirloom and if you do alter it, trust me one day you will regret it. That's a link to your past of what I hope were happier days. I would never do that to my father's watch. If I receive his watch in probate. It will be kept forever, worn on special occasions and I will remember him fondly every-time I place that watch on my wrist. Do not destroy that link. I think it is the utmost sign of disrespect and I am not surprised that your family are offended by your actions/wants. I don't think they're jealous. That is why some guy on here posted a picture of popcorn... because this has clearly gone over your head and you do not understand.

If you don't want it and have no intention of wearing it. Do the right thing and give it to someone who will appreciate and treasure that watch.

Very good and wise advice Stephan

[avega357]

My father has a YG DD from around that time, he said he would leave it to me in his will

He knows I am into watches, so he asked me if I would sell it, when I told him I would consider trading it in, he was not happy

He kept it to pass it on, so you cannot sell it, put it on a strap if you want to dress it down but you cannot sell it


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[joli160]

Originally Posted by RolieKid

What's with the couple laughing and smiling?

The picture you posted is of a watch that does not use batteries and that raises doubts

[padi56]

Originally Posted by RolieKid

Yes, Dad always dropped it off at RSC 5th ave, so that is where I sent it to for a service estimate.

A Rolex RSC actually told you to put a new battery in a automatic winding watch,or does the watch in question have Oysterquartz on the dial..???????

Please post a picture of the actual watch in question.

[uncleluck]

Does it look more like this (note the case shape)

[Room 101]

Originally Posted by jps3b

Very good and wise advice Stephan

Thanks :)

Originally Posted by RolieKid

You bring up a good point and it makes sense. I will not alter. Thank you for shedding some light on this. No, I am not the oldest, I am the youngest. The others have Rolexes that were given to them as gifts. I was never privy to one; never understood why.

Good I'm pleased to hear it. I just don't think you understood the meaning behind the watch. You weren't wrong but I just think you missed the point of that watch. Regarding your other siblings being gifted Rolex's well it would turn out that his plan all along was you to receive his. That is interesting.

If I were you and finances aren't a problem. I would get it serviced and place it in a safe and wear it a few times a year if it isn't your taste. But maybe it will grow on you? You refer to yourself as kid so perhaps in another 10 years time it will become a watch your wear more regularly. Tastes change, food, cars, women, watches... they all change.

I just turned 30 last month, so I'm hardly a wise old sear but I can tell you that there is a notable change in my behaviours, attitude from 30... to 25... to 20 even. I look back on some of those ages with embarrassment. "How could I ever do/done that?" but the reality is, I was younger. They weren't stupid at the time but now I see them in a different light. Perhaps you will see that watch in a different light in the future.

Regardless, keep it, wear it for Birthdays/Family get together/Special Events and slowly overtime see if your attitudes and tastes change. I was going to use the word evolve, but I feel that is unfair. We make the best decisions we can at the time. Wear it with pride anyway. Sorry for your loss.

[lhanddds]

If your watch looks like the one in the picture, it has an automatic movement ( no battery). Unscrew the crown then rotate/wind the crown 40 turns in a clockwise direction. This should get you started. The movement of your wrist and arm keep the watch running. Eventually you can check it's accuracy and see if it really needs a service. If winding does not get the watch running or it is eratic, you may need a full service. 2K sounds high.

[AK797]

Please post pics of the actual watch.