DrStrong[Rolex Moderator]
6930
Every Rolex Tells a Story
Feb 28, 2011,05:44 AM
There was an old Rolex booklet saying "Every Rolex Tells a Story"â?¦.I should ad that "Some Have Amazing Stories to Tell" !
I have already described here the variations of the early â??thin caseâ?? Sea Dweller, a fascinating watch that can be considered as a prototype of the â??regular productionâ?? Sea Dweller ref. 1665:
rolex.watchprosite.com
I am very proud to go now in public with my latest catch: an example of this model that comes from the original owner, a Canadian diver who wore this watch when working on his extreme project for forty years and has founded a very famous diving comapny. For someone like me â?? who loves the Rolex toolwatches that have been used for their original purpose â?? it is quite a thrill to own a first owner watch like that with such an history and such a complete documentation !
The watch comes with a provenance letter from the diver, several Rolex service documents with accompanying letters and some pictures of the diver wearing the watch when working all over the world.
The watch itself is a collectorâ??s dream, in a very good - all original â?? condition. The dial has turned to a spectacular brown color: together with the red writing and the yellow patina of the indexes, I find this combo visually breathtaking !
The thin case makes the watch very pleasant to wear and the typical thick caseback engraving is always a pleasure to look at:
The case is still in top condition and having on this watch a bezel insert with such a brownish patina is just a miracle !
The superdome "tropic 39" plexi definitely rules !
This is a very rare and interesting watchâ?¦..but the icing on the cake is the story that comes with it ! Letâ??s the original owner tell it:
â??I purchased the watch in 1972 from Monte Cristo Jewellers of Vancouver, because I was going to a diving job in Offshore Newfoundland and my regular watch was not certified for the depth of the intended dive. The job was to perform a â??Hot Tapâ?? on a subsea blow-out preventer that was pulled over when the drill rig was forced off location by an iceberg.â??
â??Since 1972 the watch has been with me on several salvage jobs from one extreme location to another; of note, the re-floatation of the cruise ship Pegasus in Venice Italy and the recovery of a major plane crash offshore of Melville island in the Canadian arctic.â??
â??The watch has also been with me in Iran working on a submarine oil pipelines and in Cuba, while looking for sunken Spanish Galleons for the ministry of Armed Forces.â??
â??I have travelled all over the world with my watch and worked on countless projects, some routine and some extremely dangerous. Some of the projects were pioneer and/or pilot projects and have received media attention.â??
â??The watch has accompanied me in my work and on my travels and through some amazing adventures for the past 38 years and if it could speak, it would be able to tell some very incredible stories.â??
Comments:
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Every Rolex Tells a Story
By: DrStrong : February 28th, 2011-05:44
There was an old Rolex booklet saying " Every Rolex Tells a Story" â?¦.I should ad that " Some Have Amazing Stories to Tell" ! I have already described here the variations of the early â??thin caseâ?? Sea Dweller, a fascinating watch that can be considere...
Congratulations!
By: dr.kol : February 28th, 2011-07:02
You have just acquired a fantastic watch - it's a dream of every diver. Best, Kari
A kind of, don't you think?
By: amanico : February 28th, 2011-22:21
When the watc has such a rich history and an impressive beauty, I don't see a " just one night " story. But I may be wrong... Best, Nicolas.
True. True.
By: TdotBean : February 28th, 2011-22:40
I never like one night story not enough satisfaction. And Nico you are rarely wrong ... ... except maybe you decided to sell the reverso platinum no.2 Best Tyler
A marvelous story
By: grigo : February 28th, 2011-07:41
Congratulations on this great catch, clearly the dream of any vinatge lover. The pictures are just stupenous. Best regards, George
Talking watches
By: Ubik : February 28th, 2011-08:01
This post is one of the reasons I collect vintage watches. Sometimes a brand brings history and sometimes a watch carries a history, but the very rarest is when they both come together. Thanks for sharing.
Awesome find!
By: ocwatching : February 28th, 2011-10:15
And this construction stuff just makes my juices flow. AWESOME. Love to have a beer with the owner. Thanks for the post. What a great piece!
super
By: Ryan5446 : February 28th, 2011-10:53
congrats Jeff. A great find. an absolute beauty !!!!
Thanks Steven
By: DrStrong : March 3rd, 2011-03:46
I know that we have a common taste for these kind of watches !
What a fantastic find!
By: blomman Mr Blue : February 28th, 2011-11:33
Huge congrats, Jeff! Love the watch and the story! Best Blomman
thanks Imran
By: DrStrong : March 3rd, 2011-03:47
I am giving this one a lot of wrist time !
Just beautiful!
By: MattS : February 28th, 2011-12:42
The watch, th story, the legend...Matt
THE Box...
By: MattS : March 4th, 2011-01:00
How much I'd love to open this box!...Matt
You know...
By: DrStrong : March 3rd, 2011-03:55
I have had the opportunity to meet several divers and for them their watch was just a tool like another, with no special "aura". I would be sad if he had been fooled and sold his watch for little money....but it's not the case ;-) Cheers Jeff
Good to hear...
By: BDLJ : March 3rd, 2011-14:40
I agrees, divers have a whole lot of gear to fetishise...watches don't generally figure that high. I wouldn't think it easy to fool the likes of GC, anyway! Thanks Jeff.
Now that is one real story to cherish along with...
By: KC74 : February 28th, 2011-16:45
..the almost 40 year old watch,pristine condition after so many years, cool looking watch and cool looking original owner who probably has been there and done that doing things i can never imagine myself doint. Congrats, one very cool watch...
That's a collectors ultimate dream.
By: EdwardL : February 28th, 2011-17:58
Stunning watch Impeccable provenance Most desirable condition. Amazing story. Congrats on a great great catch. Ed
Amazing Jeff!!
By: RSPatrik : March 1st, 2011-01:09
Congrats!! Can't wait to see it! Is it time to let go of the other..? ;-)
Jeff.... what a watch
By: Baron - Mr Red : March 1st, 2011-02:40
It is ALWAYS fascinating and captivating when you catch a great watch. The reason is simple....one can feel your joy in your words. Firstly, thanks for sharing that joy. Second....what a watch! First owner watches are superbly rare. To catch one, and one ...
Stunning, This post just.....
By: Pete17 : March 1st, 2011-02:57
....made my day Jeff. What a cracker of a DRSD. To have all the dive history behind is a real treat. Congrats Jeff!!
Wow!
By: fuigo : March 1st, 2011-06:20
What a wonderful story to read! Your watch is lucky to have you as the owner!!!
I'm reminded of Rod Stewart's "Every Picture Tells a Story" . . .
By: Dr No : March 1st, 2011-09:30
The women I've known I wouldn't let tie my shoe They wouldn't give you the time of day But the slit eyed lady knocked me off my feet God, I was glad I found her Outstanding, Jeff. A find like this gives meaning to the journey. Best regards, Art
LuckyMan
By: Timertom : March 1st, 2011-11:50
You're a lucky man, Thats a truly beautiful watch, and you own it with a fabulous history. Thanks for sharing it with us, Rishad
Congratulations.
By: Bill : March 1st, 2011-22:01
Hi Jeff The story behind the watch really completes the whole Rolex vintage experience. Thanks for including us on the adventure. Wear it in good health. Bill
Thanks a lot Bill
By: DrStrong : March 3rd, 2011-23:05
I have other stuff to share, but I need time to make some research first !
I hope to share a full singing and dancing 6202
By: Bill : March 3rd, 2011-23:14
In all it's splendor soon also. Not the sexiest watch but a nice historical reference all 100% as it was intended bezel, dial, hands etc. I am looking for ads and other docs to substantiate it. I have the guarantee paper, valuable yes, but unfilled as it ...
What a great find!
By: Domon Ken : March 2nd, 2011-00:43
Thank for sharing this rare watch with such a fantastic story with us. I still miss the full set of Rolex 1665 DRSD Mark II (with box, papers, etc.) that I sold back to my friend long time ago. Cheers, Ken
very nice post, enjoy reading it...
By: FanFrancisco : March 3rd, 2011-07:50
... i always like to read some posts with history behind which can learn and be educated along the reading... this one is the one i won't miss it too. great report and thanks very much. stefan
wauuw....!
By: hans_jorgen_1968 : March 4th, 2011-00:00
Congratulations on this amazing watch...and history.. A catch we can only envy you (a lot ) Hagwe and wear in god health Hans
Huge congrats on the magnificent catch Jeff!
By: i_am_Sam : March 5th, 2011-02:32
The DRSD is a really special watch.. And seems that yours is in great condition... What's best is that you know the story behind the watch that you got there.. Congrats again for the DRSD!! Cheers Sam
on youtube
By: JustTime : March 7th, 2011-05:50
www.youtube.com .tudor advisor
This watch is a real dream Jeff!
By: Guillaume Seventies : March 7th, 2011-12:25
And with a story like that, it's the kind of watch every collectors would like to have. Thanks a lot!
