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tral · 12 December 2010, 06:26 AM

This watch was purchased in 1971. I bought it in Bahrain an island close to Saudi Arabia when I was 16 years of age. It was a result of a loose poker game with some wealthy and notably older individuals. The big winning hand was a straight flush against a top full house. Fortunately I had the straight flush! I won $3500.00 dollars which for a guy that made $800 a month, working at age 16, was a fortune. Watching the other workers play poker on a regular basis had paid off. I quickly left the game and quit while I was ahead, without giving the players a chance to win their money back. I can remember being at home and when my mom came in the door I threw the wad of cash in the air, money flew everywhere! Next day I bought the watch and as the pictures show a 1963 jaguar the same day. Wish I still had the car too! I wore this watch through my oilfield days and it was never serviced until 1982. It went with me all over the world and yes it even did go scuba diving.

I wore the watch through the 1980s. I then put the watch away for the next 20 or so years until recently when my son took an interest in it. I laugh now as I offered it to him when he turned sixteen and his comment was why I would want that piece of junk. I even offered to pay to have it serviced. Ten years later his interested sparked and he asked to look at it again noting he would love to get it fixed up. Little did I know it is somewhat of collector’s item! Good thing I told him he would have to pay the $1000.00 to service it this time around.

We just took it in to have it serviced for only the second time ever. The authorized dealer did the crystal, gaskets including crown and tube, rotor, bezel and lightly polished it (while maintaining the case lines) to bring it back to its original sheen. I am so surprised at how well the dial, hands, case and bracelet look even to this day. We have seen pictures of others for sale and it appears to me the dial looks to be in amazing condition.

My son in law is a bit of a photography nut and he was kind enough to take some fabulous pictures for us to share.

My son and I would love to hear some candid comments on what you guys think. Feel free to send me a private message if you have an idea of the value. Heck we might even consider some offers.

Lol-x · 12 December 2010, 05:39 PM

Thank you for the great story

Cannop · 12 December 2010, 05:49 PM

I would say I'd play you at poker for it but then I thought probably not one of my best ideas given your track record! Fascinating story and a beautiful watch

glocati · 13 December 2010, 01:45 AM

Wow ! Great story indeed. Glad to see you kept it all these years and no one changed the dial/hands when it was serviced. It is a fantastic beauty !

Frogman4me · 13 December 2010, 01:50 AM

That is the perfect amount if even patina! Great story!

ParisDakarBmw · 13 December 2010, 02:52 AM

Beautiful watch!

I like the fact you have the original parts that were replaced. That makes the entire package more interesting!

Good luck!

tral · 13 December 2010, 05:02 AM

Thanks for all the great comments. This has been a fascinating experience learning about the watch.

Rickster · 13 December 2010, 06:49 AM

great watch. love the patina.

HL65 · 13 December 2010, 07:07 AM

Very nice!!

Saxon007 · 13 December 2010, 07:15 AM

What a nice dial and handset, quite sweet.

Is that the original bracelet?

Racer X · 13 December 2010, 09:47 AM

As others have commented, beautiful patina. If you don't know what that is yet, it's the yellowing of the hour markers and hands, which many collectors such as myself prefer in a vintage watch. A watch with a nice patina often fetches a premium when sold. Regardless, it's a great watch and I hope you and your son enjoy it.

Yazo · 13 December 2010, 09:48 AM

Wow!!!

mid-o-light · 13 December 2010, 11:58 AM

If I were your son, I surely keep it as precious memory to dad. It's priceless.

eparisini · 13 December 2010, 07:11 PM

Very nice enjoy it, but wrong bracelet look for a 7315/380...

Puffy · 13 December 2010, 09:02 PM

amazing stuff mate, great to have a story to back it all up with too

tral · 5 December 2011, 10:48 AM

Can anyone comment if it is possible that the bracelet could be original? I don't recall ever having it switched or replaced. However have heard mixed comments.

Michael M. · 5 December 2011, 11:09 AM

Most likely a later service replacement, as it should be a 93150 or 9315 bracelet, the one currently fitted is a 78360.

yessir69 · 5 December 2011, 11:11 AM

SWIMPRUF · 5 December 2011, 01:43 PM

Great story, this made my day.

GeoGio Greece · 7 December 2011, 04:47 AM

Hello to all !

A great watch, I had also my first Rolex, a Sub of course

, in the same period, 1971, as per my signature, but I have sold it many years ago to a friend of mine. I had the bad habit to renew my watches every 3-4 years

But I can confirm, that the bracelet on the watch was a "Sub" type, of folded links with an extending clasp for being worn over a diving suit and with a locking flap.

The remains of this bracelet are in the pictures just bellow, as the Sub clasp was transfered to an Oyster bracelet of a GMT.
If someone is interested, I can check the code of the bracelet, though I trust that all the specialists here know it already by heart .

So in the "box" now I still have the remains of the Sub type and the clasp of the GMT, along other bits and pieces.

The bracelet of this present watch in question, is a fairly new typical Oyster, with "fat" links, which to my opinion, is by far newer than the watch.

azguy · 7 December 2011, 04:59 AM

Yes

very nice watch with a great story

Chris B · 7 December 2011, 05:19 AM

It's beautiful

cruvon · 8 December 2011, 12:50 PM

Awesome story and watch, congrats!

tral · 6 November 2017, 09:39 AM

Figured this was worth sharing again. Son has been wearing it for six years now.

southtexas · 6 November 2017, 10:53 AM

Cool story, and your watch has appreciated considerably since your initial post!

sensui · 6 November 2017, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tral

Figured this was worth sharing again. Son has been wearing it for six years now.

Thanks for this bump. Beautiful watch.

theflywrist · 6 November 2017, 05:06 PM

Very nice story!
Your son is a lucky man, and I would definitely never part with that watch!

I'm not sure when the last time you visited Bahrain was, but it has changed a lot! I grew up in Bahrain, and still visit at least twice a month. My family and friends are still there.

colpol · 6 November 2017, 07:14 PM

Missed this first time around - great story

swish77 · 7 November 2017, 12:51 AM

You know you're a watch nut when you immediately remember these types of stories from the forum seven years later, like me!

So great when watches stay in the family and are passed down through the generations! Keep it going!

dpdan93 · 7 November 2017, 12:53 AM

that is the coolest story ever

12 December 2010, 06:26 AM	#1
tral "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Edmonton Posts: 6	1971 Rolex Submariner "Red" This watch was purchased in 1971. I bought it in Bahrain an island close to Saudi Arabia when I was 16 years of age. It was a result of a loose poker game with some wealthy and notably older individuals. The big winning hand was a straight flush against a top full house. Fortunately I had the straight flush! I won $3500.00 dollars which for a guy that made $800 a month, working at age 16, was a fortune. Watching the other workers play poker on a regular basis had paid off. I quickly left the game and quit while I was ahead, without giving the players a chance to win their money back. I can remember being at home and when my mom came in the door I threw the wad of cash in the air, money flew everywhere! Next day I bought the watch and as the pictures show a 1963 jaguar the same day. Wish I still had the car too! I wore this watch through my oilfield days and it was never serviced until 1982. It went with me all over the world and yes it even did go scuba diving. I wore the watch through the 1980s. I then put the watch away for the next 20 or so years until recently when my son took an interest in it. I laugh now as I offered it to him when he turned sixteen and his comment was why I would want that piece of junk. I even offered to pay to have it serviced. Ten years later his interested sparked and he asked to look at it again noting he would love to get it fixed up. Little did I know it is somewhat of collector’s item! Good thing I told him he would have to pay the $1000.00 to service it this time around. We just took it in to have it serviced for only the second time ever. The authorized dealer did the crystal, gaskets including crown and tube, rotor, bezel and lightly polished it (while maintaining the case lines) to bring it back to its original sheen. I am so surprised at how well the dial, hands, case and bracelet look even to this day. We have seen pictures of others for sale and it appears to me the dial looks to be in amazing condition. My son in law is a bit of a photography nut and he was kind enough to take some fabulous pictures for us to share. My son and I would love to hear some candid comments on what you guys think. Feel free to send me a private message if you have an idea of the value. Heck we might even consider some offers.

12 December 2010, 05:39 PM	#2
Lol-x Facilitator Join Date: Nov 2005 Real Name: Steve Location: Omnipresent Posts: 33,229	Thank you for the great story __________________ *Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.* ~Abraham Lincoln Nothing compares to the simple pleasure of a bike ride. ~John F. Kennedy ROLEXploitation - yeah I'm a victim

12 December 2010, 05:49 PM	#3
Cannop "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Real Name: Duncan Location: UK Watch: Lots Posts: 443	I would say I'd play you at poker for it but then I thought probably not one of my best ideas given your track record! Fascinating story and a beautiful watch __________________ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - "The quality is remembered long after the price is forgotten" - Sir Henry Royce (1863 -1933) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

13 December 2010, 07:07 AM	#9
HL65 TRF Moderator & 2024 DATE-JUST41 Patron Join Date: Dec 2007 Real Name: Ken Location: SW Florida Watch: One on my wrist. Posts: 63,389	Very nice!! __________________ *SPEM SUCCESSUS ALIT*

13 December 2010, 07:15 AM	#10
Saxon007 "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Texas Posts: 2,002	What a nice dial and handset, quite sweet. Is that the original bracelet? __________________ Licensed to kill time.

13 December 2010, 01:45 AM	#4
glocati "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Real Name: Greg Location: Portland, Oregon Watch: 1675/3+16013 Posts: 538	Wow ! Great story indeed. Glad to see you kept it all these years and no one changed the dial/hands when it was serviced. It is a fantastic beauty !

13 December 2010, 01:50 AM	#5
Frogman4me Banned Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Maryland Posts: 6,268	That is the perfect amount if even patina! Great story!

13 December 2010, 02:52 AM	#6
ParisDakarBmw Banned Join Date: Dec 2009 Real Name: Paul Location: New Haven, CT Watch: 116610 Sub-C Posts: 6,552	Beautiful watch! I like the fact you have the original parts that were replaced. That makes the entire package more interesting! Good luck!

13 December 2010, 05:02 AM	#7
tral "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Edmonton Posts: 6	Thanks for all the great comments. This has been a fascinating experience learning about the watch.

13 December 2010, 06:49 AM	#8
Rickster "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Real Name: Rick Location: London, Ont. Posts: 666	great watch. love the patina.

13 December 2010, 09:47 AM	#11
Racer X "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Real Name: Dave Location: Unknown Posts: 999	As others have commented, beautiful patina. If you don't know what that is yet, it's the yellowing of the hour markers and hands, which many collectors such as myself prefer in a vintage watch. A watch with a nice patina often fetches a premium when sold. Regardless, it's a great watch and I hope you and your son enjoy it.

13 December 2010, 09:48 AM	#12
Yazo "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Dallas TX Watch: Rolex Posts: 2,812	Wow!!!

13 December 2010, 11:58 AM	#13
mid-o-light "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Thailand Posts: 32	If I were your son, I surely keep it as precious memory to dad. It's priceless.

13 December 2010, 07:11 PM	#14
eparisini "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Real Name: Emanuele Location: Italy Watch: 6263 FAP Posts: 795	Very nice enjoy it, but wrong bracelet look for a 7315/380... __________________ EAT, DRINK AND BE MAUI

13 December 2010, 09:02 PM	#15
Puffy "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Here and there Posts: 12,485	amazing stuff mate, great to have a story to back it all up with too __________________ Fine Quality is Long Remembered After the Pain of Spending Money is Forgotten

5 December 2011, 10:48 AM	#16
tral "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Edmonton Posts: 6	Can anyone comment if it is possible that the bracelet could be original? I don't recall ever having it switched or replaced. However have heard mixed comments.

5 December 2011, 11:09 AM	#17
Michael M. Banned Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Newport Beach, CA Posts: 8,391	Most likely a later service replacement, as it should be a 93150 or 9315 bracelet, the one currently fitted is a 78360.

5 December 2011, 11:11 AM	#18
yessir69 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: May 2011 Real Name: Kevin Location: Tornado Alley Posts: 3,212

5 December 2011, 01:43 PM	#19
SWIMPRUF "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: * Posts: 2,323	Great story, this made my day. __________________ Member# 52,675 Est. 3/2011

7 December 2011, 04:47 AM	#20
GeoGio Greece "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Real Name: George Location: Athens, Greece Watch: es --> A lot ! Posts: 2,327	Hello to all ! A great watch, I had also my first Rolex, a Sub of course , in the same period, 1971, as per my signature, but I have sold it many years ago to a friend of mine. I had the bad habit to renew my watches every 3-4 years But I can confirm, that the bracelet on the watch was a "Sub" type, of folded links with an extending clasp for being worn over a diving suit and with a locking flap. The remains of this bracelet are in the pictures just bellow, as the Sub clasp was transfered to an Oyster bracelet of a GMT. If someone is interested, I can check the code of the bracelet, though I trust that all the specialists here know it already by heart . So in the "box" now I still have the remains of the Sub type and the clasp of the GMT, along other bits and pieces. The bracelet of this present watch in question, is a fairly new typical Oyster, with "fat" links, which to my opinion, is by far newer than the watch. __________________ Rolex owner since 1971. 5513 and 16700 the loved ones. DJ WG Jubilee 16170 for wife - U series Oyster Perpetual WG 177234 for daughter V-series

7 December 2011, 04:59 AM	#21
azguy Banned Join Date: Sep 2011 Real Name: ------- Location: ------- Watch: --------- Posts: 12,609	Yes very nice watch with a great story

7 December 2011, 05:19 AM	#22
Chris B "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Peterborough Posts: 9,621	It's beautiful

8 December 2011, 12:50 PM	#23
cruvon "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Australia Posts: 4,687	Awesome story and watch, congrats! __________________ Last thing I remember, I was Running outta sight I had to find the passage back,To the place I was before. ’Relax,’ said this Rolex place,We are programmed to receive. You can checkout any time you like, But you can never leave!

6 November 2017, 09:39 AM	#24
tral "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Edmonton Posts: 6	Figured this was worth sharing again. Son has been wearing it for six years now.

6 November 2017, 10:53 AM	#25
southtexas 2024 ROLEX DATEJUST41 Pledge Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Great State of TX Posts: 5,683	Cool story, and your watch has appreciated considerably since your initial post! __________________ Forty six & 2 are just ahead of me. Follow me on Instagram @ccrolex

6 November 2017, 05:06 PM	#27
theflywrist "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Stratosphere Posts: 1,990	Very nice story! Your son is a lucky man, and I would definitely never part with that watch! I'm not sure when the last time you visited Bahrain was, but it has changed a lot! I grew up in Bahrain, and still visit at least twice a month. My family and friends are still there.

6 November 2017, 07:14 PM	#28
colpol "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Scotland Posts: 2,844	Missed this first time around - great story

7 November 2017, 12:51 AM	#29
swish77 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Real Name: Aaron Location: CT/NYC Watch: ing the time! Posts: 6,789	You know you're a watch nut when you immediately remember these types of stories from the forum seven years later, like me! So great when watches stay in the family and are passed down through the generations! Keep it going!

7 November 2017, 12:53 AM	#30
dpdan93 "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2017 Real Name: Daniel Parisi Location: CT Posts: 221	that is the coolest story ever

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