Why do I still pine for a Rolex....
I have been a watch aficionado since my school days in the early eighties with a fine collection of digital casio and seiko....but my grail watch from those days was the Rolex....my father wore one well over 50 years until he passed away last year...It has been his daily beater...It was an Oyster Datejust with manual winding...to survive that many years with no major service or repair...is amazing...I have kept it as a memento and it still runs for a while when I wind it..
For me getting a Rolex in my collection will be the pinnacle in my watch collection....till that time I will go with my current obsession for collecting what is affordable and unique...without denting my wallet
Watch Collector on a tight budget...loves solar....
That’s wonderful. Have you considered getting that watch serviced and making it YOUR Rolex? The Rolex you can pass on to your children?
That’s wonderful. Have you considered getting that watch serviced and making it YOUR Rolex? The Rolex you can pass on to your children?
Nope...I am not a fan of wearing keepsakes....but will get it serviced...
Great story, despite the negative attention ADs bring to the brand, there remains great ADs and the watches are awesome.
If serviced, it will run for another 50 years for you to enjoy.
If serviced, it will run for another 50 years for you to enjoy.
Agree, your choice on the best use, but this is a robust watch and should run well after a service.
So is the issue getting one from an AD, or just that you just aren't quite in a pace where you are able, or feel comfortable, to spend the money? Took me a LOOOOOOOOOONG time to get there myself, to be able to collect at all even in the most affordable pool.
If it's due to an AD, like was said before by another poster, there are good ones out there. Just have to find them. I had to drive 6-8 hours to find two that work well.
I think you should keep the heirloom and wear that until you can buy a new one on your own.
So would the plan be to wear this other one that you desire, or have it be a safe queen?
If money is not an issue, I highly recommend you go visit a boutique and put your name on the list. People make it sound like its impossible to get one but as long as you stay on their radar (check in a few times, call/text them a few times, and show genuine interest), you will get it.
10 years ago I really wanted a Rolex Sub but it was the Status of the Brand that attracted me not the watch so I resisted. You however have a family linkage to the Brand along with memories. I totally get your desire to have one and I‘d be hesitant to wear the heirloom also … your quest totally understandable good luck.
So would the plan be to wear this other one that you desire, or have it be a safe queen?
The one on my radar now is Rolex Oyster Perpetual 41 (reference 124300).
Definitely it will be my dress watch for special occasions....
I 100% agree with those who said get it serviced and wear it for as long as you are on this great planet and hopefully your kids will keep it going like you did.
I echo what @TimexBadger says... Get your Dads watch serviced and enjoy it to it's fullest !
You phrased it as a question, but I think you already know the answer.
This is the sort of story I think of when people go on about how Rolex is overrated and doesn’t make good watches. A lot has changed, but many of us grew up seeing and thinking about Rolex watches being an aspirational watch. It was expensive, but attainable with hard work. It said you’d made it, that you were successful. You can go on about the “better“ watches out there, but I never saw those, and I don’t think most others did either.
So yeah, I still think Rolex makes aspirational watches in a way nobody else does.
Depends on what one wants form a watch. I've been a Rolex fan for many decades now - setting the current fashion aside, they are robust watches that last for years. i.e I just saw a video of a restoration of a 1968 GMT Master. It was dirty, the automatic works rotor had a small split in it (!) and the barrel had been incorrectly lubed. The watchmaker cleaned it, put a new spring in, repaired the rotor and .... less than 1s fast per day, zero beat error and 280 amplitude. how's that for a 'vintage' watch?
Bottom line - they last forever, despite the abuse. That's why we all secretly want one 😀