ROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEX

fnfiveseven · 6 September 2021, 12:24 AM

Came across a very old thread on Reddit by someone under the name of "sappy16" and I am not sure it's been shared here but thought it would be cool for some people to see here anyway. If sappy16 is here, thank you for sharing!

Amazing story to tell the kids and priceless gifts!

"I have a nice little story I'd like to share.

My grandfather (British) was a surgeon from a well-to-do family. During WW2, he was a medic in the British army. He owned a Rolex which he wore every day and was thrilled with its performance.

After the war was over, he married my grandmother and they went to Jamaica on their honeymoon. Whilst there, he continued to wear his Rolex, and happened to meet a gentleman who noticed his watch and commented upon it. He told this man what a fantastic watch it was, how reliable it was, how pleased he was with it, etc.

Only once he had finished singing its praises did the man he was speaking to reveal himself to be Hans Wilsdorf. He told my grandfather how glad he was that he was pleased with his Rolex, and they kept in touch. When my grandparents and my dad and uncle were on holiday in Switzerland a number of years later, they were invited to visit Mr Wilsdorf at his home there. My father was a child at the time, but does remember it a little.

My dad's parents and Mr Wilsdorf and his wife also exchanged Christmas cards, and when a book was published about Hans Wilsdorf's personal collection of timepieces, he sent my grandparents a copy, along with a printed English translation of the book's text. He hand-wrote a note to them inside the front cover. I found it in my grandmother's bookshelf after she died.

I thought people might be interested because it's a pretty cool story!"

https://imgur.com/a/3lyEx

Tikandtokalot · 6 September 2021, 01:01 AM

That’s a lovely feel good story for a Sunday afternoon.
I’m always amazed sometimes by what a small world it can be.
Nice share thanks.

Cigars&Watches · 6 September 2021, 01:10 AM

Great story

Solo118 · 6 September 2021, 01:17 AM

Great story, and a relief from the usual talk about scarcity and pricing etc.

Rashid.bk · 6 September 2021, 01:25 AM

Wtf! I’m blown away, to me this is beyond a decent feel good story, this is utter amazing and historic to me and that book of HW’s collection with a hand written note is mind blowing.
Very much appreciate you posting this.

harvey · 6 September 2021, 01:28 AM

…thank you for sharing.

ltmgeller · 6 September 2021, 01:32 AM

Great story, thanks for sharing.

Oxfordian · 6 September 2021, 01:50 AM

Great read, thank you.

Robf52 · 6 September 2021, 02:49 AM

Wonderful story; thanks for posting.

OrangeSport · 6 September 2021, 02:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Solo118

Great story, and a relief from the usual talk about scarcity and pricing etc.

Well, to be honest, he had wanted to gift him a GMT but none was available at MSRP. The book was a back up gift...

SeeDweller · 6 September 2021, 03:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OrangeSport

Well, to be honest, he had wanted to gift him a GMT but none was available at MSRP. The book was a back up gift...

Ba-hahaha!!!

The story made me smile, but this comment is making me ROFL!!

(well played!)

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

214270Explorer · 6 September 2021, 03:51 AM

That is pretty frakkin cool.

OrangeSport · 6 September 2021, 04:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SeeDweller

Ba-hahaha!!!

The story made me smile, but this comment is making me ROFL!!

(well played!)

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Stan Cooper · 6 September 2021, 04:46 AM

What a wonderful story with photos of the book! Thank you for sharing.

Little machines · 6 September 2021, 04:55 AM

Amazing story!! A great connection to Rolex !! Thank you for sharing !!

inadeje · 6 September 2021, 06:31 AM

Amazing story and demonstration of the good hearted sentiment of the late Mr. Wilsdorf

wcs2229 · 6 September 2021, 12:54 PM

Small World! Wonderful story.

Rori · 6 September 2021, 01:39 PM

That’s so cool to read. Thanks for sharing.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

scombs263 · 6 September 2021, 02:23 PM

Now this is a nice post.

Dr. Robert · 6 September 2021, 02:32 PM

Made my day!

Sent from my SM-G973U using Tapatalk

garyk · 6 September 2021, 10:06 PM

Wow, just wow! Thank you for posting!!

kittansett · 6 September 2021, 10:46 PM

How special! Very nice! I heard that Rolex is coming up with a museum. With this book with a personal note from Hans Wilsdorf, I won't be surprised if this is a museum quality material for display!

Heady Topper · 7 September 2021, 12:22 AM

Thanks for sharing that!

Richard Carver · 7 September 2021, 12:29 AM

Absolutely stunning, thank you.

d.n.d. · 7 September 2021, 04:05 AM

Great story! What are the odds, running into him in Jamaica lol.

Bizcut1 · 7 September 2021, 04:26 AM

Fantastic. Post of the year.

Rafeeq · 7 September 2021, 04:39 AM

Wow, that really is a nice story.

m3tek44 · 7 September 2021, 05:48 AM

thanks for sharing!

BLNR Nairobi · 7 September 2021, 06:54 AM

Thank you for sharing this wonderful story.

charlesheung · 7 September 2021, 09:32 AM

Very cool story, thanks for sharing!

6 September 2021, 12:24 AM	#1
fnfiveseven "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2017 Location: London Posts: 171	Very cool story of Hans Wilsdorf (Not mine) Came across a very old thread on Reddit by someone under the name of "sappy16" and I am not sure it's been shared here but thought it would be cool for some people to see here anyway. If sappy16 is here, thank you for sharing! Amazing story to tell the kids and priceless gifts! "I have a nice little story I'd like to share. My grandfather (British) was a surgeon from a well-to-do family. During WW2, he was a medic in the British army. He owned a Rolex which he wore every day and was thrilled with its performance. After the war was over, he married my grandmother and they went to Jamaica on their honeymoon. Whilst there, he continued to wear his Rolex, and happened to meet a gentleman who noticed his watch and commented upon it. He told this man what a fantastic watch it was, how reliable it was, how pleased he was with it, etc. Only once he had finished singing its praises did the man he was speaking to reveal himself to be Hans Wilsdorf. He told my grandfather how glad he was that he was pleased with his Rolex, and they kept in touch. When my grandparents and my dad and uncle were on holiday in Switzerland a number of years later, they were invited to visit Mr Wilsdorf at his home there. My father was a child at the time, but does remember it a little. My dad's parents and Mr Wilsdorf and his wife also exchanged Christmas cards, and when a book was published about Hans Wilsdorf's personal collection of timepieces, he sent my grandparents a copy, along with a printed English translation of the book's text. He hand-wrote a note to them inside the front cover. I found it in my grandmother's bookshelf after she died. I thought people might be interested because it's a pretty cool story!" https://imgur.com/a/3lyEx

6 September 2021, 01:32 AM	#7
ltmgeller 2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Real Name: Mike Location: New York Watch: Rolex Posts: 22,574	Great story, thanks for sharing. __________________ Oh, look at the time... Official Member: 'WIS-CON' Las Vegas International GTG 2019

6 September 2021, 01:50 AM	#8
Oxfordian "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2019 Real Name: Martin Location: England Watch: Sea Dweller Posts: 3,117	Great read, thank you. __________________ Martin Small Rolex, Omega, Seiko and Oris Collection

6 September 2021, 02:49 AM	#9
Robf52 "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2019 Location: Sunshine State Watch: lots of Rolex Posts: 5,071	Wonderful story; thanks for posting. __________________ 126610LV//116508 Daytona YG Black/Champagne 116655 YM40 Everose Oysterflex//126622 YM40 Blue//126600 SD43 126710BLNR//126711CHNR 126334 DJ41 Rhodium/Diamonds//126331 DJ41 TT Wimbledon 124300 OP41 Green//126334 DJ41Mint Green

6 September 2021, 03:51 AM	#12
214270Explorer "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2018 Location: United States Watch: me buy Watches Posts: 3,955	That is pretty frakkin cool. __________________ “The display of actual intelligence terrifies much of mankind” Rolex "some" Tudor "some" Damasko "some" Misc Pieces "some" Marathon "some" GS Spring Drive "some" Hamilton "some" Findeisen "some"

6 September 2021, 01:01 AM	#2
Tikandtokalot "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2020 Location: Scotland Watch: Tudor BB41 M79540 Posts: 648	That’s a lovely feel good story for a Sunday afternoon. I’m always amazed sometimes by what a small world it can be. Nice share thanks.

6 September 2021, 01:10 AM	#3
Cigars&Watches "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2020 Location: Canada Watch: DSSD, CHNR, SUB Posts: 1,682	Great story

6 September 2021, 01:17 AM	#4
Solo118 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: USA Watch: Daytona Posts: 6,091	Great story, and a relief from the usual talk about scarcity and pricing etc.

6 September 2021, 01:25 AM	#5
Rashid.bk "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Dallas Watch: 12800ft = 3900m Posts: 11,173	Wtf! I’m blown away, to me this is beyond a decent feel good story, this is utter amazing and historic to me and that book of HW’s collection with a hand written note is mind blowing. Very much appreciate you posting this.

6 September 2021, 01:28 AM	#6
harvey "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: rolexforums.com Posts: 5,435	…thank you for sharing.

6 September 2021, 04:46 AM	#14
Stan Cooper 2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member Join Date: Aug 2020 Real Name: Stan Cooper Location: Sonoma County, CA Watch: GMT-Master II Posts: 2,888	What a wonderful story with photos of the book! Thank you for sharing. __________________ ♛16710 GMT-Master II, ♛1915 Rolex WW1 Trench Watch, Zelos Thresher 500m GMT Meteorite, Zelos Swordfish 40 200m Ti Blood Moon Meteorite, Hamilton Pilot Chronograph, Ball Roadmaster Pilot GMT COSC Chronometer, Zelos Mako 300M Traveler GMT Meteorite, Seiko SSC813 quartz solar powered chronograph It's weird being the same age as old people. - Stan

6 September 2021, 04:55 AM	#15
Little machines "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2019 Real Name: Joseph Location: USA Posts: 2,652	Amazing story!! A great connection to Rolex !! Thank you for sharing !!

6 September 2021, 06:31 AM	#16
inadeje 2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Miami Watch: me lose count. Posts: 5,906	Amazing story and demonstration of the good hearted sentiment of the late Mr. Wilsdorf __________________ ♛ 218206 Roman ♛ 116689 ♛ 126710BLRO ♛ 16520 white ♛ 16523 white ♛ 16610 ♛ 5513 Birth Year - ✠ Patek Philippe 5980/1R-001 - AP 26331ST Panda - Panerai Bronzo 671 & 111, Ω Speedmaster 1957 Broad Arrow, Cartier Santos XL - Montblanc TimeWalker Chrono 41

6 September 2021, 12:54 PM	#17
wcs2229 "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2021 Location: Canada Watch: Rolex, Omega, Tag Posts: 202	Small World! Wonderful story.

6 September 2021, 01:39 PM	#18
Rori "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: Middle East Watch: Rolex / Tudor Posts: 3,592	That’s so cool to read. Thanks for sharing. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk __________________ Good watches are made to tell time but some brands are obsessed to tell it in the most beautiful way possible.

6 September 2021, 02:23 PM	#19
scombs263 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Real Name: COMBS#263 Location: Los Angeles, Ca. Watch: Rolex SD43 Posts: 2,193	Now this is a nice post.

6 September 2021, 02:32 PM	#20
Dr. Robert 2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Real Name: Bob Location: U.S.A. Watch: 1655 Posts: 64,241	Made my day! Sent from my SM-G973U using Tapatalk __________________ Founder & Card Carrying Member of the Global Association of Retro-Grouch-Curmudgeons

6 September 2021, 10:06 PM	#21
garyk 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Real Name: Gary Location: USA Watch: Daytona Posts: 11,748	Wow, just wow! Thank you for posting!! __________________

6 September 2021, 10:46 PM	#22
kittansett "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Never never land Posts: 208	How special! Very nice! I heard that Rolex is coming up with a museum. With this book with a personal note from Hans Wilsdorf, I won't be surprised if this is a museum quality material for display!

7 September 2021, 12:22 AM	#23
Heady Topper Banned Join Date: Nov 2019 Location: Canada Posts: 321	Thanks for sharing that!

7 September 2021, 12:29 AM	#24
Richard Carver "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: US Posts: 2,237	Absolutely stunning, thank you.

7 September 2021, 04:05 AM	#25
d.n.d. "TRF" Member Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Canada Watch: 2201.51 Posts: 84	Great story! What are the odds, running into him in Jamaica lol.

7 September 2021, 04:26 AM	#26
Bizcut1 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Real Name: Ben Location: Valley of the Sun Watch: 126331 126610 3861 Posts: 3,253	Fantastic. Post of the year.

7 September 2021, 04:39 AM	#27
Rafeeq "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2021 Real Name: Rafeeq Location: Ye Midwest Watch: Datejust 41 Posts: 523	Wow, that really is a nice story.

7 September 2021, 05:48 AM	#28
m3tek44 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Nov 2019 Location: Bay Area, CA Watch: this Posts: 1,285	thanks for sharing!

7 September 2021, 06:54 AM	#29
BLNR Nairobi "TRF" Member Join Date: Jun 2017 Real Name: Tony Location: Global Watch: All of them. Posts: 1,141	Thank you for sharing this wonderful story.

7 September 2021, 09:32 AM	#30
charlesheung "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2019 Location: HK Posts: 100	Very cool story, thanks for sharing!

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