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ROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEX
ROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEX
4 May 2009, 09:25 PM
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#1 |
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"TRF" Member
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: UK
Posts: 9,407
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Old bits and pieces (pic heavy)
Why keep your box and papers?
Forget the value...sometimes it's nice to look back on a watch's history. These belong to my late grandfather's Oyster Date of which I am now in possession. Thought the pics might interest those who are into vintage or perhaps the guys with newer watches, boxes and papers. The story has been told many a time here but to recount quickly... Grandfather bought watch in 1958. Grandfather died and watch passed to father. Father had cheap service done on watch where watchmaker failed to replace seal. Watch filled with seawater in Florida. Watch insurance write off. Rolex would not touch it for repairs. Jim paid independent watch maker to repair/restore. Jim sent watch to watchmaker for service and clasp repair/replacement Feb 08. Watchmaker struggles to find replacement link and clasp in new old stock. Steve M provides Jim with replacement clasp and extra links. 1957 Oyster Date due back soon...... Original boxes (alongside pouch Joe kindly sent)    Original Guarantee        Before a red plastic hang tag...    First service paper (1958...the crown fell out. Went to Switzerland and back via boat)   Rolex envelope...stamped over 50 years ago to this year!  I have a file in the safe with all of this and every other service paper and repair invoice for this one watch...it tells a history that spans three generations so far, hopefuly one day, William can show it all to his children. J |
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4 May 2009, 09:32 PM
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#2 |
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"TRF" Member
Join Date: Mar 2009
Real Name: Gordon
Location: Irvine, Scotland
Watch: SS DJ, SS GMTIIC
Posts: 339
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Thanks for letting us a have a look, Jim.
 Nice things for you to have. Sometimes the sentimental value is worth more than anything!
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4 May 2009, 09:33 PM
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#3 |
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"TRF" Member
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Chicago
Watch: 16610
Posts: 300
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wow!!! i especially love the cosc certificate!
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4 May 2009, 09:38 PM
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#4 |
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"TRF" Member
Join Date: Mar 2009
Real Name: Charlie
Location: NY
Posts: 1,135
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Very nice to have with the original watch
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4 May 2009, 09:41 PM
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#5 |
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Banned
Join Date: Dec 2007
Real Name: Axel
Location: Germany
Watch: view my signature
Posts: 612
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Jim,
That is amazing to have such a complete package, big Congrats
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4 May 2009, 09:47 PM
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#6 |
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"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jan 2009
Real Name: Dave
Location: Australia
Watch: DJ16233TT
Posts: 18,485
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WOW! Like turning back time and browsing through history, always love looking through the antique stuff, always makes me think of how it was, what was the AD like and the feeling as your Grandfather purchased and popped the OD on his wrist for the first time, reading through the booklets and reading the paperwork. this is the exact reason my box for my DJ is kept safe with all the paperwork, one day I'll have a grandson who I hope will appreciate my DJ just like you are with your Granddads OD.
This is one of the reason for having a Rolex that I'm never going to flip, it was my first and i hop one day it will be a grandsons first :-) I know that wonderful Oyster Date will come back gleaming and see many years of being passed down in your family. Thanks for sharing Jim, I'm sure your Granddad will be proud to see his Rolex being looked after by you!
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Apprentice to Terry Newton; Superstar and Fake Sleuth  
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4 May 2009, 10:03 PM
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#7 |
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"TRF" Member
Join Date: Feb 2007
Real Name: Jim Snyder
Location: Ohio
Watch: Ask me later.....
Posts: 7,726
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More then a watch. It's a piece of your family. Great thread Jim.
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"You ain't lived, 'til you've had your tires rotated by a red-headed women." |
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5 May 2009, 01:38 AM
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#8 |
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"TRF" Member
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: UK
Posts: 9,407
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Cheers guys
I can't wait to get her back...not long now hopefully! J |
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5 May 2009, 01:47 AM
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#9 |
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"TRF" Member
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: UK
Posts: 713
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Excellent package.. well done.. well kept
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5 May 2009, 01:48 AM
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#10 |
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"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jan 2008
Real Name: Martin
Location: UK
Posts: 7,023
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Great documentation made all the more important by your Grandfather's connection. Hope the watch is not long in returning and well done Steve for getting the part you needed
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5 May 2009, 01:52 AM
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#11 |
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Member
Join Date: Jan 2008
Real Name: Matt
Location: Hong Kong
Watch: Submariner
Posts: 168
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There is Chinese stamped on the manual too. Thanks for sharing.
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5 May 2009, 01:57 AM
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#12 |
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"TRF" Member
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: TN
Watch: Rolex
Posts: 2,166
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excellent post and pics! thank you.
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Z- Submariner; P- Airking; R- DateJust; M- GMTII; C0 - Milgauss GV Breitling SuperOcean Heritage 46 Omega Speedmaster Racing Panerai PAM390 |
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5 May 2009, 01:59 AM
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#13 | |
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"TRF" Member
Join Date: Apr 2006
Real Name: Paul
Location: Wales, UK
Posts: 14,578
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Quote:
It must be so rewarding to have such a treasured possession. To be honest all my watches could go and I'd really not give a blow but yours is proper valuable.
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5 May 2009, 02:03 AM
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#14 |
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"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Fernwood
Posts: 3,455
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oooooooo that's really cool!
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116613LN 16600SD 16610LV 116710 16710 16570 Speedy 3570.50 PAM25 Oris TT1 and a bunch of G-Shocks. Flipped: Daytona 116520 Seamaster 2231.80
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5 May 2009, 03:37 AM
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#15 |
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2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member
Join Date: Aug 2006
Real Name: Wolfgang
Location: New Jersey.
Watch: Rolex Tudor Omega
Posts: 5,592
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I just love the "oil-change at 7,000 miles(18-months)" part.
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5 May 2009, 03:42 AM
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#16 |
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Fondly Remembered
Join Date: May 2005
Real Name: JJ
Location: Auckland, NZ
Watch: ALL SOLD!!
Posts: 74,319
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Nice, very nice!!!
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Words fail me in expressing my utmost thanks to ALL of you for this wonderful support during my hour of need!! I firmly believe that my time on planet earth is NOT yet up!! I shall fight this to the very end.......and WIN!! |
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5 May 2009, 03:59 AM
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#17 |
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Banned
Join Date: May 2009
Location: LONDON
Watch: SDDS
Posts: 660
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superb piece of history
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5 May 2009, 10:03 PM
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#18 |
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"TRF" Member
Join Date: Dec 2007
Real Name: Buz
Location: Atlanta
Watch: Rolex Tudor Pam
Posts: 5,108
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Great post, thanks for sharing.
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Buz The faster you move, the slower time passes, the longer you live. Peter Diamandis 
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5 May 2009, 10:09 PM
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#19 |
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2024 Pledge Member
Join Date: Dec 2006
Real Name: D'OH!
Location: Kentucky
Watch: Rolex-1 Tudor-3
Posts: 36,217
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Very cool documentation.
 Thanks for sharing, Jim.dP
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TRF Member# 1668 Bass Player in TRF "AFTER DARK" Bar & NightClub Band  Commander-in-Chief of The Nylon Nation  The Crown & Shield Club Honorary Member of P-Club |
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5 May 2009, 10:09 PM
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#20 |
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"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 22,683
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That is what collecting is all about!!
Big congrats and hats off buddy for having the foresight to preserve history.
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5 May 2009, 10:53 PM
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#21 |
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"TRF" Member
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: UK
Posts: 9,407
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Cheers Mike...
From a guy with a beautiful collection like you, that means a lot! My father and grandfather played the biggest part. They have kept everything...I just wish they had kept all of their old Rolex catalogues they pored over each year...50 years of rolex cats' would be worth more than the watch!!!!!!! J |
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5 May 2009, 11:08 PM
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#22 |
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"TRF" Member
Join Date: Apr 2008
Real Name: Tony
Location: Oxfordshire, UK
Watch: 116680 & 116622
Posts: 3,953
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Excellent post Jim. Looking forward to more pics.
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"...why oh why, didn't I take the blue pill...?" http://www.helenanddouglas.org.uk/ www.cheetah.org |
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5 May 2009, 11:38 PM
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#23 |
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"TRF" Member
Join Date: Mar 2009
Real Name: Phillip
Location: Alabama
Watch: Triple 6 SD
Posts: 1,720
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Great post Jim. I can't wait to see pics when it comes back from service. What kind of work had to be done to restore it from the sea water?
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It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye. - Antoine de Saint Exupéry |
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5 May 2009, 11:42 PM
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#24 | |
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Banned
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: *******
Posts: 233
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Quote:
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6 May 2009, 12:39 AM
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#25 | |
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"TRF" Member
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: UK
Posts: 9,407
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Quote:
The dial remains untouched...salt and all. If the watchmaker removed the salt, the dial would flake away and we wouldn't want that. It looks crusty and battered but it's a war wound and gives it personality...it also makes the dial "glow" a kind of weird golden blur when the sun hits it right (you can alomst see it on one of the pics). The watch has a history and indicates a love for Rolex through three generations of my direct bloodline. My son will be a fourth gen Rolex lover! A lot of the movement was damaged and the saltwater actually rusted the inside of the case. Many parts were repaced and the case was sanded and then rewelded where necessary. Becuase of this it is no longer guaranteed water resistant and due to the case damage, Rolex UK wouldn't touch it and wrote it off due to them being unable to guarantee it. I think it's a shame Rolex turned their back on it and their attitude disappoints me somewhat...I know if I turned up at Bexley with all the bits and pieces, the guys in the service centre would be happy to see the history. If anything it's a testament to how hardwearing a Rolex is and everybody who whines about the stamped metal clasp should look at this...it's only failed after 50 years and in that time it's seen military service, been worn on many a building side and travelled half way around the world. Watches like this and the other beautiful vintage examples should be celebrated. J |
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6 May 2009, 01:08 AM
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#26 |
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"TRF" Member
Join Date: Sep 2007
Real Name: Bubba
Location: Bitsyville!
Watch: Blue YM today!
Posts: 10,053
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Sometimes the sum is made better by all the bits and pieces. Thanks for sharing my friend.
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6 May 2009, 01:14 AM
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#27 |
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"TRF" Member
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: UK
Posts: 9,407
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That little heart inside that watch beats along with my heart...in fact that little heart made my heart beat for Rolex as I grew up.
I paid £1500 as a 24 year old on a poxy small salary in 1999/2000 to get that watch repaired and kissed goodbye to my long cherished dreams of a sub at the time. Engraved on the back is L.J Lewis...that grandfather I never knew. I'm glad I had it restored. When I read people's appreciation here it reinforces that choice. Thanks all. J |
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6 May 2009, 01:47 AM
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#28 |
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Banned
Join Date: Aug 2008
Real Name: De
Location: Tokyo
Watch: Daytona, Sub, DS,
Posts: 1,046
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Very nice.
Alas the Chusan company does not exist anymore, Northbridge Road is still the same name. Borneo Company seems to be a UK based company and the service was done at the Singapore branch. A bit of real history which is so fascinating. |
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6 May 2009, 01:53 AM
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#29 | |
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"TRF" Member
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: UK
Posts: 9,407
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Quote:
I know the watch was purchased and serviced in Singapore however when the winding croen fell out and the movement was damaged, it was sent to Geneva....well according to my Grandmother anyway. They were without the watch for about a year...my grandmother nagged my grandfather every day about how he sold his car for a famous Rolex watch, the watch that could survive anything yet the winder fell out as he wore it!!!!! J |
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6 May 2009, 02:53 AM
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#30 |
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"TRF" Member
Join Date: Dec 2008
Real Name: Brent
Location: St Louis
Watch: Rolex Sub Date
Posts: 1,516
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That is amazing. Thanks for sharing.
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16610 Submariner GMT Master II 16710 1675 |
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