Barnfind 1665 -- Deal of the Decade for Me

[Jason71]

Please bear with me as I tell you this rather long-winded story. You might not have the interest in the entire saga, but please humor me. I have been dealing with a local jeweler (Matt) since June. It is just a small jewelry store, and they do not even carry watches. They mostly carry low-end jewelry, but they do occasionally get a rather interesting piece in from an estate auction or something of that nature. It all started back in June when I was able to obtain a 1ct yellow diamond ring from the owner for my wife. It was an estate piece and likely 50+ years old and I picked it up for a really good deal. Matt (Owner) and I have now become a little more than acquaintances and have now struck up a bit of a friendship. I have told him over the last several months that I love
vintage watches, especially Rolex. He wears a big 2-tone Breitling and though he appreciates watches, he doesn't have a love for them like I do. He actually doesn't care for Rolex. He knows they make fine watches, but he believes them to be primarily a name rather than a good product. I have told him since June that if he ever comes across an older Rolex model, please keep me in mind.

2 months ago, he showed me a 5513. It was a client's watch, and the client dropped the watch off with Matt to have a "complete restoration" done. This watch was rather beat-up, but definitely worth another chance at life. I discussed the idea of me acquiring the watch, but he said the client had dropped the watch off 3 years ago to have it repaired. He was an elderly gentleman, and Matt said that he believed he had since become ill and died. He had tried to contact the family on several occasions, but nobody has come forward claiming the watch. I have hoped to acquire that watch at some point, but just haven't been able to do so.

The day before yesterday I stopped at the store to see Matt. I asked him if he had ever been able to get in-touch with family or with the gentleman (Matt only suspects that he died, he doesn't actually know). He said that he unfortunately hasn't gotten into contact with anyone. I was a bit deflated, but I decided to make payment on another ring that I have put on layaway while I was there. Matt asked me if I was interested in anything else while I was there, and I asked him if he had gotten any more estate jewelry in since I last saw him. He said no......but he had acquired a watch that I "MIGHT" be interested in seeing. He went to the vault and emerged with a beat-up green box. From the box he pulled a vintage Rolex diver. The crystal was so beat-up that it was difficult to see the dial. It was a 1665. After further inspection, the serial number was 804xxxx and the dial, hands, and case looked decent. I asked him if he was interested in
selling the watch, and he said "yes". He then proceeded to tell me this story.

An older gentleman had come into the store a week or two prior and presented him with this watch. He had bought this watch brand-new in 1984 from a jewelry store in Las Vegas. He had been out there gambling and won a little money and decided that he should spend some of the winnings on a watch. Matt then pulled the original receipt from the box and showed me. This gentleman paid $950 for the watch in 1984. Since he had bought the watch with his winnings, he felt that he had no real money in the watch and he proceeded to wear the hell out of the watch over the next 20+ years. He never took it anywhere to have it serviced, adjusted, polished, ANYTHING!! He said the original band broke within the first year, and he just discarded it and put it on this crappy bracelet from Hong Kong and had been wearing it ever since. I didn't get the information about how long he hadn't been wearing it, but I suspect it has been for the last 10 years give or take.
He was going through some belongings recently and found this watch that "wasn't keeping good time anymore" and NEARLY THREW IT IN THE TRASH!!! He decided to take it somewhere and see if it was worth anything. He showed-up at Matt's place.

Understand that Matt "thinks" he knows values of vintage Rolex, but he really has no idea. I truly believe he was not trying to screw the guy with this next move.......I TRULY do not. He bought the watch from the man for $250!!!! I asked Matt how much he wanted for the watch, and he said that he needed to check on some things. I got home the night before last and absolutely couldn't sleep. I have always wanted a vintage SeaDweller, but just hadn't ever come across the right opportunity.

Yesterday, I went back to see Matt. Now, I really don't want to get into the specifics about our deal, but let me tell you this much. I told him what a fair price in the current state was for the watch, and he wouldn't believe it. I tried to explain, but he insisted to think that the watch was worth much less than I was stating. I offered him a conservative amount which gave me at least $2,000 to repair the watch, and still make a little money, but he wouldn't hear of it. He sold me the watch for well below market value even at my insistence that his values were low. We went back and forth about this for quite some time and he finally told me, "Listen, if you would be happy paying my asking price, then I am happy. I only have $250 dollars in this watch, and I don't have to make all my money on one deal. Just let me know how things turn-out after you once you get the watch fixed". I told him I was likely going to keep the watch and not sell it
after repair, and this made him that much happier.

I walked out of the store COMPLETELY ELATED. I was so happy to have obtained this watch, and couldn't believe the fact that he wouldn't hear of making a mint off one deal. He still made some money, but not nearly what he could have made off this. I was so excited. I failed to mention to you that I was super ecstatic that the watch came with a box and with the original receipt. I just wished that it had more of the stuff with it. I went to see my Wife at work, and while sitting in the parking lot......I started digging around in the bottom of the box. Below the felt insert was the original hang-tag, the booklets, and the original papers!!!!!

I have been on cloud nine since about 2pm yesterday afternoon. I truly can't believe it still. Now to the pictures.............

(Please let me savor this thread.....I might not ever get another one like it )

[Clay]

I had an experience some years ago along these lines…I know exactly how you feel…
Enjoy the moment…!!!

[MonBK]

Jason, what a fantastic story and a big congrats.

On top of that your wife now have two large rocks?

[TurboWatch]

You're a good man ... and good things happen to good people


Now we need to see some pictures of the said watch, the way it was FOUND, scratches and all.

[Clay]

Well worn...

[MonBK]

Originally Posted by TurboWatch

You're a good man ... and good things happen to good people


Now we need to see some pictures of the said watch, the way it was FOUND, scratches and all.

Just look above.

[mjclark32]

That's awesome, big congrats! You've definitely fostered a great relationship with Matt. Looking forward to seeing it once it's cleaned up. Enjoy!

[Jason71]

Originally Posted by MonBK

Jason, what a fantastic story and a big congrats.

On top of that your wife now have two large rocks?

Yes, but I also bought here 1/2 ct earrings from Steve also......So much more if you count them.

Steve and I got along pretty well also.

[andromeda160]

Still waiting for this to happen to me haha great find, huge congrats and wear it in good health

[Ben39]

Big congrats on yr 1665 👍

[swish77]

Wow! Amazing story. Any photos of the accessories? Movement service, new crystal and a black NATO, and you'll be ready to go. I love the battle scars. Congrats!

[nsumner]

Wow! Looks like it's going to clean up well. Love the case, nice and sharp.

[stevedssd]

What a great story, thanks for sharing. That is an incredible find, feels right that it has found a new home with someone who will cherish it.
Looking forward to seeing the after photo's and as had been suggested those of the original box, papers and tags.

[jvo300]

That does it. I'm gonna shop small jewelry stores from now on! Hah! Big Congrats!!!

[HL65]

What a great story Jason...Congrats!!

[Beaumont Miller II]

Jason congrats to you and good luck.

[dysondiver]

very nice , a great fixer upper

[RC2]

Great find!!!

[kh1970]

Thanks for posting a great read, am looking forward to seeing it after you've had it fixed up!

[MonBK]

Originally Posted by Jason71

Yes, but I also bought here 1/2 ct earrings from Steve also......So much more if you count them.

Steve and I got along pretty well also.

He's a great guy and the only one I trust when it comes to diamonds.

Did you have a chance to see his watch collection?

[Frosty]

What a great find!

[Dan Pierce]

What a find! Congrats, Jason!
dP

[CrownMe]

great story......SEND THE WATCH TO RIKKI ASAP!!!! lol

[bluemartinifan]

Good things happen to good people - good for you Jason

[psv]

Score!!! That stuff only happens to other people! :-)

[sea-dweller]

Great story!

[Passionata]

Great story


Best
George

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

[lhanddds]

What a friend you have there Jason and quite a watch also, congrats and have fun with the clean-up.


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[perpetualman88]

Great story Jason

Man Those Lugs are so thick and beefy no polishing there if I am not mistaken

[T.S.Eliot]

What a great story! the next step is where will you have it serviced?