Which Rolex to replace my Submariner
Discussion
Long story but I’ve never posted on this part of pistonheads so be gentle with me.
My parents asked me what I wanted for my 18th birthday and I said a Rolex, which they duly gave me, only problem was it was the wrong one. They were happy for me to change the Oyster to a Submariner though, which as I was obsessed with diving was what I really wanted.
The supplying jeweller was a family friend and very kindly gave me full value part ex against a new Submariner and I paid him £2.00 per week for 17 weeks to make up the difference between £38.00 and £72.00, (£66.00 + £6.00 for the better strap), this was in 1968.
I wore that watch every day of my life until it was ripped from my wrist when I was mugged in Barcelona two years ago, it was virtually part of my body and I was absolutely devastated but it was insured for 5k and this was paid out by my insurers without question.
I always said if I ever lost it I would replace it with another but just have not felt ready to do so. When the new anniversary Sea Dweller came out I thought that was the way to go and nearly paid 11.5k for one a few weeks ago but bottled at the last moment.
Yesterday we were in Brufords, Eastbourne buying my wife the new Longines Equestrian which she had finally decided was what she wanted after several months of looking at everything from Cartier to Rolex, price wasn’t the issue it was just the look, she’s even worse than me at decisions!
Anyway, I noticed a pre-owned Yacht-Master in the window and tried it on, it looked and felt good but wasn’t quite sure about the blue dial so the salesman got out a new one with the dark rhodium dial and chromalight display which was a little more understated but really looked right to me.
I think I have made my decision but what do the experts on here think?
The dealer will also put me on the list for a Sea Dweller so if I change my mind about it I can have one of those in a year or two.
My parents asked me what I wanted for my 18th birthday and I said a Rolex, which they duly gave me, only problem was it was the wrong one. They were happy for me to change the Oyster to a Submariner though, which as I was obsessed with diving was what I really wanted.
The supplying jeweller was a family friend and very kindly gave me full value part ex against a new Submariner and I paid him £2.00 per week for 17 weeks to make up the difference between £38.00 and £72.00, (£66.00 + £6.00 for the better strap), this was in 1968.
I wore that watch every day of my life until it was ripped from my wrist when I was mugged in Barcelona two years ago, it was virtually part of my body and I was absolutely devastated but it was insured for 5k and this was paid out by my insurers without question.
I always said if I ever lost it I would replace it with another but just have not felt ready to do so. When the new anniversary Sea Dweller came out I thought that was the way to go and nearly paid 11.5k for one a few weeks ago but bottled at the last moment.
Yesterday we were in Brufords, Eastbourne buying my wife the new Longines Equestrian which she had finally decided was what she wanted after several months of looking at everything from Cartier to Rolex, price wasn’t the issue it was just the look, she’s even worse than me at decisions!
Anyway, I noticed a pre-owned Yacht-Master in the window and tried it on, it looked and felt good but wasn’t quite sure about the blue dial so the salesman got out a new one with the dark rhodium dial and chromalight display which was a little more understated but really looked right to me.
I think I have made my decision but what do the experts on here think?
The dealer will also put me on the list for a Sea Dweller so if I change my mind about it I can have one of those in a year or two.
My 1968 Sub was a model 5513 and I have looked at a similar 1969 one in a dealer, it looked like my watch but it wasn't "my" watch if you can understand that. I don't know how you can be emotionally involved with a watch but I was, it meant a hell of a lot to me and I would gladly disembowel the scrotes who mugged me but that wouldn't get it back so I have decided to move on which means having something different.
Even though I do still dive occasionally, (once a year in warm and clear water) a dive watch is not really needed today as a computer does all the calculations for you, I actually go sailing more often these days.
I suppose I was looking at the Anniversary Sea Dweller and justifying it as a sort of upgrade but it is actually quite large and in your face while the Yacht-Master is a bit smaller, quite understated and very smart looking, (I don't bother with evening/dress watches) so I can wear it all the time.
I think I'm going Yacht-Master but which colour is the thing, I can't use price to choose as there is only £750.00 between so a final decision will be made tomorrow when I go back for another look.
Even though I do still dive occasionally, (once a year in warm and clear water) a dive watch is not really needed today as a computer does all the calculations for you, I actually go sailing more often these days.
I suppose I was looking at the Anniversary Sea Dweller and justifying it as a sort of upgrade but it is actually quite large and in your face while the Yacht-Master is a bit smaller, quite understated and very smart looking, (I don't bother with evening/dress watches) so I can wear it all the time.
I think I'm going Yacht-Master but which colour is the thing, I can't use price to choose as there is only £750.00 between so a final decision will be made tomorrow when I go back for another look.
drainbrain said:
If the stolen one's been reported and is on Rolex's lists then you just might get lucky some time in the future.
If I was you (which I'm not) I'd have gone for that '69 5513 or something similar though I doubt if you'd get a mint one with b&p etc for £5k.
But if money's really no object why not treat yourself to a red, double red, or comex?
It's been on the Rolex list for nearly two years but no luck yet, I'm not sure they even knew what they had got as they were a proper couple of low lifes.If I was you (which I'm not) I'd have gone for that '69 5513 or something similar though I doubt if you'd get a mint one with b&p etc for £5k.
But if money's really no object why not treat yourself to a red, double red, or comex?
The 5513 I looked at was 6k, it was fine but as I said earlier it wasn't "my" watch.
I was budgeting on spending the 5k insurance and adding 5k to it so unfortunately a Comex is just a little out of my reach, one of my diving mates worked for them and had one, he sold it many years ago though, for 12k I think.
I do have one watch which is absolutely priceless to me though.
My son who was one of the UK's top windsurfers and Animal were one of his sponsors, they gave him this watch for winning the Indoor Windsurfing Jump Contest at the London Boat Show in 2004. I worked for the UKWA as the organiser and when he made the winning jump it was the proudest moment of my life.
Unfortunately he died in June 2004 when he fell from a jetski, this watch is one of the few things he left me and my Submariner means nothing in comparison.
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