A Tale of Loss, a Girl and Redemption. (Long post, pic heavy)

[D O C]

My long lost baby (first few pictures) GMT Master II 16710 Pepsi "P" 2001. I sold her almost two years ago for financial reasons. And I've regretted it ever since.

My daughter had gone to a private college and hadn't done that well the last two semesters. We decided she should take a break from the private college and attend the local community college, raise her grades, graduate with an Associates degree and then go back to the expensive and more prestigious private university. And she did it, raising her grades and graduating with her Associates degree from the community college. So, I needed to get her back into the private university and pay for tuition and books; I made the sacrifice and sold my 16710. There's not a day that went by that I didn't feel like I regretted that decision. I thought I would have that watch the rest of my life and I would pass it down to one of my daughters or my grandson. A little over a year after selling it I went back to the dealer to try and buy it back or to find out where it ended up. He just told me that he'd sold it to another dealer at a watch show or somewhere. I knew then that I'd never see my watch again. I thought about it for awhile and shopped around and realized that I didn't want another 16710, I wanted MY 16710. I thought of all the memories I had with that watch as I had received it as a gift after graduating medical school. I went through residency training with that watch, taught all my daughters and a grandson to swim in that watch and any picture traveling or family event there is my 16710 right there like another family member. I'd obtained the additional Coke and Expresso bezel inserts to go with the Pepsi and had enjoyed switching with the seasons or on a whim. My next step was to get a jubilee bracelet at some point, but I never did. And I learned I'd taken my watch for granted. You don't know what you really have until its gone...

By March of this year life had been very good through my job and several opportunities had come to fruition. The amount of this extra income could probably buy me a gold President DD per year now, and come close to a Platinum DD. But you figure in doing smart things like putting back for income taxes, things needed around the house, charities, savings and 401k that best not to just consume it all. I decided early on that I'd definitely go with the DJ41, blue dial with the jubilee bracelet...until I tried it on and realized it seemed too blingy to me; it wasn't my style though I loved the watch. But I knew I'd always be a sport watch person. Next I was totally sure it'd be the Submariner Date, just couldn't decide between the classic 16610 or the 116610LN. I researched the heck out of these watches. But it wasn't until a chance meeting and seeing the 16710LN GMT Master II in person that I seen that it was the watch for me. Granted I'd had my reservations about the PCLs for some time and read over and over how easily they scratch. And the ceramic bezel as well; I'd read here in TRF years ago how that some were saying they shatter easily. In fact, I swore when they first starting making the ceramic insert for the bezel that I'd never own one. Having owned and wore a 16710 for 15 years I didn't like the new Maxi dial, I thought it looked too clownish and gimmicky. All that fell by the way side when I seen it and tried it on. I loved seeing that Oyster bracelet again. But this time with that nice thick boxy case, larger Crown and crown guards, and I loved seeing the platinum numbers on the dial. I can't say there is just one thing I love about it. The thick, substantial bracelet continues to impress me. The cyclops for the date, but now with the greenish-purple sheen of the AR coating, has always been a nice part of having a Rolex watch. So I contacted my man DavidSW and told him what I wanted. He had it within a week, bank wire was sent and I had it by FedEx the next day.

When the watch arrived and I put it on it was a perfect fit; no adjustments needed just like my previous watch. In fact, I felt like I had my old 16710 on from the profile. I like owning and wearing an updated Rolex watch with all the newest features. Unless it was my original 16710, I don't think I could ever go back. The wait was over. My watch was here and home now. I hope you enjoy the pictures, both old and new.

Epilogue: My daughter is doing well as an Art major. She is now a Senior and will graduate next May with a Bachelor's in Studio Art.




An old friend.






My new friend.








Me and my daughter eating alligator.


Picture of my daughter. She is a Senior now.

[Starwalker]

great story! amazing sacrifice! congratulations on your new watch!

[BLNR Nairobi]

That is a very beautiful story. I pray the best for you and yours.

[roosvelt]

Great read thanks for posting it ! Congrats on your new watch.

[DP63]

Great story and great watch.

[toneafficianado]

Great story! New memories are now being made with the LN!


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[travisb]

Enjoyed your story and pics. Congrats to you and your daughter!

[Andad]

Nice thread Jim.

Well done to both of you.

[Reinhard in SA]

That is awesome! Congrats on the LN and your daughter's accomplishments I just opened up our 2 month old daughter's first savings account today.

[rajurama]

Thanks for sharing... Congratulations

[Onequik135i]

Very nice story indeed.

[1William]

Nice story. I don't think you should have regret over selling your watch, you should be proud. You put your family first and it is only a watch in the end. Many times we miss what we don't have but I check myself and look at all of the other positives in my life. You did the right thing. I like your new watch and you already have great memories as to how it got on your wrist.

[Trailboss516]

Great post, thank you for sharing your story with us.

[samson66]

Nice post, and for what it's worth I think the LN looks much better on you. I know there is a lot of love around here for the 5-digit GMT's but I think the new ones blow them away.

[FirstF80InSpace]

Great story. Think of all the new memories you will be making with the GMT.

[Rashid.bk]

Awesome story. I feel you as I'm putting two señoritas through college now.

[herts9]

Great story! And fantastic sacrifice.

Kind of in the same boat as well. My little guy just turned 6 months, and I hope he can appreciate the watches I have when he gets big enough to wear them himself!

[jaySL350]

A lovely story,,
cant go wrong with a gmt,,
congrats and well done to your daughter,,,,

[rmlovett1]

Great story! Congratulations on a beautiful watch!

[101031-28]

Great story! That new GMT is all the more special now, all the sacrificing and giving up you went thru to get you where you are today.. Congratulations!

[m j b]

Great story, congrats to everything! The daughter, the career and the watch!

[Gambonista]

Great story...happy ending. As we all know, for all of the complaints about supply issues, it is nice to know that your Rolex is liquid, and a ready reserve when circumstances require a cash infusion. Best of luck to you and your daughter, Jim.

P.S. I purchased a Batman for my son when he finished medical school. He was reluctant to wear it at first, as he would routinely look at his phone to determine the time, but now he has adjusted to wearing a watch, and never takes it off.

[arosado]

Love the story. Thanks for sharing.

[Carry The Interest]

Thank you for sharing this wonderful story. As others have already stated, I wouldn't feel bad about having to sell the old 5 digit Pepsi -- you (rightfully, in my mind) put the bigger priorities first. I'm very glad things seem to be working out across the board. Congrats on the ceramic GMT. It's the next chapter in this great story.

[faz]

Congrats on your new watch. Beautiful story, thanks for sharing. Sacrificing for family, especially in the form of selling some items, is a no brainer for me and obviously for you as well. Material things come and go, but family takes priority each and every time.


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[Oceanlover914]

While it is hard to recapture the past, we can always make new memories. Congrats on your new watch and big congrats to your daughter for improving grades graduating and going back to finish what she started!! Wear it in good health!!

[Pw92676]

Nice story. Good luck to your daughter and congrats to you.

[reecester]

Great story, congrats!

[sensui]

Congrats in getting back in the game. Happy to hear the daughter is doing better.

[oldman2005]

Congrats on the watch. As for kids they have their own paths we did our best to support them financially and emotionally and let them define their future. I passed on one of my Rolex to my son, the daughter will get hers from her mom. My daughter once told us a secret after she got admitted to medical school that really surprised us.....that she never really studied in high school and got the wake up called when she did not get admitted to her 1st college of choice, sometime they need to fail to succeed just like us