Rolex bygone years a Bit Different to Todays Rolex mainly about ££££$$$$$$.

[padi56]

Many years ago back in the late 1970s think it was 1979 my Father always wanted a Rolex watch so he took on two jobs and saved for just over 5 years to get his watch.Now he always wanted a Submariner so when he had saved enough money at this time just over £950,so off he went to the AD to buy his watch.And I am sure he did not go with a Lupe to examine ever minute detail of the watch.In those days you just bought a Rolex watch knowing that watch would last a life time and beyond.Back in those bygone days you bought a Rolex not to try or hope it would go up in value, but to wear hopefully in good health for the rest of your life.Now when my Father got to the AD they showed him the sub,but tried to sell him a 6263 Daytona instead, in those days they were very very poor sellers.And they even offered him a discount of £25 of the price,now the Daytona was almost a £100 retail cheaper than the sub so with the discount plus the cheaper price he bought the Daytona 6263.Now with the money saved he bought my mother a new washing machine,now sadly my Father did not live a lifetime to enjoy his Rolex he died at the age of just 56.Now IMHO WW11 Dad was in the navy on aircraft carriers dad lied about his age he was just 17 plus returning from war back to working in the coal mines shortened his life I am sure.The Daytona now belongs to me but in my life time I would never sell it at any price. It just means to much to me, so when I look at the watch, in my mind I see my Fathers face with the proud look admiring his watch.Rolex watches are not always about £££$$$$$$ but something to enjoy and wear hopefully for a very very long life, this is what owning a Rolex watch should be about..

[Zoran]

Well said Peter!
Great story and a wonderful watch to remember your father by.

Unfortunately, you are right and I don't believe this will change any time soon.
It is good to know that there are still people out there that don't see it that way and can truly enjoy the piece(s) they have without worrying about resell value.

Stay safe.

[alpharulez]

Originally Posted by padi56

Many years ago back in the late 1970s think it was 1979 my Father always wanted a Rolex watch so he took on two jobs and saved for just over 5 years to get his watch.Now he always wanted a Submariner so when he had saved enough money at this time just over £950,so off he went to the AD to buy his watch.And I am sure he did not go with a Lupe to examine ever minute detail of the watch.In those days you just bought a Rolex watch knowing that watch would last a life time and beyond.Back in those bygone days you bought a Rolex not to try or hope it would go up in value, but to wear hopefully in good health for the rest of your life.Now when my Father got to the AD they showed him the sub,but tried to sell him a 6263 Daytona instead, in those days they were very very poor sellers.And they even offered him a discount of £25 of the price,now the Daytona was almost a £100 retail cheaper than the sub so with the discount plus the cheaper price he bought the Daytona 6263.Now with the money saved he bought my mother a new washing machine,now sadly my Father did not live a lifetime to enjoy his Rolex he died at the age of just 56.Now IMHO WW11 Dad was in the navy on aircraft carriers dad lied about his age he was just 17 plus returning from war back to working in the coal mines shortened his life I am sure.The Daytona now belongs to me but in my life time I would never sell it at any price. It just means to much to me, so when I look at the watch, in my mind I see my Fathers face with the proud look admiring his watch.Rolex watches are not always about £££$$$$$$ but something to enjoy and wear hopefully for a very very long life, this is what owning a Rolex watch should be about..

That is a lovely watch with memories attached to it. Hopefully an asset you can pass down through generations!


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[beshannon]

Great story and that watch design is very clean, not like the current mish mash of fonts and colors

[brandrea]

I love hearing stories like this Peter.

Your dad sounds like he was a salt of the earth fellow, from what some would call the greatest generation. I’m sure if he looked down on today’s world of Rolex he’d just shake his head.

[solesman]

That was a great read Peter. Thanks for sharing that with us. I'm really enjoying it on TRF now.

[webble1]

Great that you have something from your father that he himself was passionate enough to save up for so long.
Sometimes a physical item brings back as many memories as a photo.

Do you wear it much?

[AK797]

Growing up my parents never considered a Rolex a possibility as it was for the super-rich etc and they had other priorities like getting us through school, so then years later when I finally bought one my parents were pretty surprised/impressed but they knew they were largely responsible for my path to getting there, but then lately when I've been telling them that they are selling for large profits so any Tom or Dick with a credit card can buy one now and flip it, they have been flabbergasted by the complete change in perception of a Rolex watch.

[icnbne]

Thats a stunning watch, and also a reflection of what was and what is

[faimag]

Nicely put.

[Explorer2polar]

Great story and lesson to us all.

[roadie1]

Great story thanks for sharing!


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[garyk]

Rolex bygone years a Bit Different to Todays Rolex mainly about ££££$$$$$$.

Called the greatest generation for a reason. My Dad, also a WW II veteran visited me in the Middle East where I was working in 1971. We visited an Arab shuuk (market) and we bought two Tissot watches. He’s gone now and I wouldn’t trade his Tissot from that day for gold!




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[rootbeer7]

Great story and what a watch. Hopefully after the pandemic (and the inevitable 'how much money am I going to lose' posts), perhaps we might return to great discussions about these incredible watches. We can live in hope.

[jburson250]

Peter, thank you for sharing the wonderful story of your Dad's Daytona.

[AJMarcus]

What an amazing story and an amazing watch indeed. Thanks for sharing Your wonderful story Peter. That’s exactly what a Rolex is really all about. I too will be gifting my Submariner one day to my son.

[1William]

A great story and a very nice watch. Thank you for sharing.

[Redbox]

Wonderful story about your father's watch, Peter. You know he would be happy and proud that you love it as much as he did.

I am 73 and can relate to these memories.

[Tomo_leeds]

Great story , I'm not really a Daytona fan but yours looks fantastic!

[Xerxes77]

Originally Posted by padi56

Many years ago back in the late 1970s think it was 1979 my Father always wanted a Rolex watch so he took on two jobs and saved for just over 5 years to get his watch.Now he always wanted a Submariner so when he had saved enough money at this time just over £950,so off he went to the AD to buy his watch.And I am sure he did not go with a Lupe to examine ever minute detail of the watch.In those days you just bought a Rolex watch knowing that watch would last a life time and beyond.Back in those bygone days you bought a Rolex not to try or hope it would go up in value, but to wear hopefully in good health for the rest of your life.Now when my Father got to the AD they showed him the sub,but tried to sell him a 6263 Daytona instead, in those days they were very very poor sellers.And they even offered him a discount of £25 of the price,now the Daytona was almost a £100 retail cheaper than the sub so with the discount plus the cheaper price he bought the Daytona 6263.Now with the money saved he bought my mother a new washing machine,now sadly my Father did not live a lifetime to enjoy his Rolex he died at the age of just 56.Now IMHO WW11 Dad was in the navy on aircraft carriers dad lied about his age he was just 17 plus returning from war back to working in the coal mines shortened his life I am sure.The Daytona now belongs to me but in my life time I would never sell it at any price. It just means to much to me, so when I look at the watch, in my mind I see my Fathers face with the proud look admiring his watch.Rolex watches are not always about £££$$$$$$ but something to enjoy and wear hopefully for a very very long life, this is what owning a Rolex watch should be about..

Congratulations!
You really reminds us what mean a good watch.... not only the money value...

[tufty]

Great story, what watches for me are all about...

[Ballzzz]

Beautiful story & amazing watch!

[cop414]

Thank you Peter, a great reminder about what’s important.

[alphasports]

Thanks for this. That's maybe the nicest Daytona I've seen, beautiful.

[Chester01]

Fantastic story about what watches can be about and the meaning they can take on. Your father was one of the greatest generation that built this country.

[LJubel328]

This is exactly what got me in to watches, stories like this. There is something inherently beautiful about knowing, or guessing, the history of the watch you wear.

I hope you never part with the 6263. It is beautiful and wear it in good health. My father is not a watch person, but I have been telling him to purchase one recently. I, too, would like to look down at my wrist and be reminded of my father someday.

Thank you for sharing.

[james_turk]

Thoughtful story, great sentiment, great watch. Thank you.

[Cru Jones]

Originally Posted by james_turk

Thoughtful story, great sentiment, great watch. Thank you.

x2.

[bulldawg]

Great story. Exactly what watches are meant to be about.

[htc8p]

Great story I enjoyed reading it. I hope I can pass it down to my son too.


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