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28 August 2010, 10:21 AM | #1 |
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Rolex Red Submariner Ref: 1680 Unpolished Case and Amazing Story
Rolex Red Submariner Ref: 1680 Unpolished Case and Amazing Story
Serial #: 3,2XX,XXX Case: Unpolished case with original beveled lugs. The serial numbers and ref number are all visible but the case has been shined up through saltwater and wear. Dial : Amazing original dial with no chips perfectly matching the hands and pearl. Open 6 dial. Original faded insert. Bracelet: Original 9315 with 380 end pieces I flew to San Diego to meet with the original owner of this watch. The gentleman wore the piece since the 70's but stopped wearing it in the last 5 years and found out from his dentist that it had some value. I was expecting to find a nice red sub but when he pulled out the watch it blew my mind. The dial was fantastic. The crystal was scratched but a few min with poly watch brought out a sensational dial. The case is just... wow ....the holes on the side of the case are sharp and the bevel on the lugs is phenomenal. I stayed for lunch and had one of the best watch conversations ever. Not really so much about the watch but what it went through. Here are a few highlights of the story. The owner taught at UCLA in th 60's before going to Saudi Arabia where he got recruited to manage and set up the health care system in that country. His expertise at UCLA was in hospital management and infrastructure. He did not want to go but the adventure beckoned and from what he told me the salary was one he could not refuse. His position in the country was one so important that the prince (one of them) of one of the areas he was stying at took him to a Rolex Shop. The shop owner told him to buy this one aka RED Sub since it was a rarer piece then the other watches. It was only a few hundred dollars more so he bought it. The owner also raced in the same league as Steve McQueen and told me he had the 3rd fastest mini cooper in America (Steve's was the fastest). I asked him if he met Steve. The answer... sure I raced against him many times all over southern California. Even before the Sub, the owner with 3 friends spent two and a half years to sail around the world... what a life and the pictures to prove it. This watch has been through it all. The cocaine fueled parties of the 70's 80's, scuba diving around the world, racing his mini cooper in Southern California. Truly a fantastic watch that's been through an amazing journey. Attached are a few photos of the original owner wearing the watch. Enjoy this awesome piece of history!!!! Resting with some new friends: I love it!!! |
28 August 2010, 11:02 AM | #2 |
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Nice story, enjoy the Submariner.
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28 August 2010, 11:08 AM | #3 |
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Wow, great story and collection.
Thanks for sharing! |
28 August 2010, 11:10 AM | #4 |
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The PN is my friends who I met in San Diego. It just looked really good so I had to snap a group shot.
As for the Red I would love to keep it but it's going to find a good new home. |
28 August 2010, 11:11 AM | #5 |
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WOW, what a beautiful watch!
Did you get any of the goodies that came with the watch originally!? |
28 August 2010, 11:12 AM | #6 |
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28 August 2010, 11:14 AM | #7 |
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Paul Newman Daytona
The guy tried very hard to find them, but no cake :( |
28 August 2010, 11:15 AM | #8 |
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Great story and watch!
Scott
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28 August 2010, 11:15 AM | #9 |
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28 August 2010, 11:16 AM | #10 |
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28 August 2010, 11:16 AM | #11 |
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28 August 2010, 11:19 AM | #12 |
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dang that watch is a badass...
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28 August 2010, 01:02 PM | #13 |
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Awesome story sounds like my Friday nights in the city
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28 August 2010, 01:35 PM | #14 |
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You're hanging around with Steve McQueen's corpse?!!
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28 August 2010, 01:39 PM | #15 |
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Too bad you're not keeping this one, bro.
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28 August 2010, 03:20 PM | #16 |
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Amazing story!!! Thanks a lot!
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28 August 2010, 07:54 PM | #17 |
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What a nice watch and history.
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28 August 2010, 08:02 PM | #18 |
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great watch , fantastic pictures , its a keeper though.
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28 August 2010, 08:10 PM | #19 |
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रोलेक्स |
29 August 2010, 12:50 AM | #20 |
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I want that watch so bad......
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29 August 2010, 12:56 AM | #21 |
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Amazing watch, pictures and story! Thanks for sharing.
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29 August 2010, 01:04 AM | #22 |
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Thanks for sharing this story!
Tom |
29 August 2010, 01:22 AM | #23 |
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Hello Jacek!! Congratulations on your GREAT find.
It is very rare to find such a nice watch with an outstanding provenance, and in that magnific orginal condition in spite of a rather adventurous life of his previous owner. It looks like his owner respected and cared his watch! Hope you will care and enjoy this time piece so much as his pevious owner, for many, many years. Great watch, and thanks for sharing its story and photos. Kind regards, Abel.
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29 August 2010, 02:28 AM | #24 |
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What a beautiful watch, and what amazing history. I wish I could afford something this nice, but alas, it's not to be. Thanks for sharing with us Jacek!
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29 August 2010, 06:16 AM | #25 |
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Magnificent. Are you sure you don't want to keep it?
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29 August 2010, 01:47 PM | #26 |
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Incredible
Great watch and great story
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29 August 2010, 04:18 PM | #27 |
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29 August 2010, 10:21 PM | #28 |
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Great story! Great watch (stunning dial and hands!)
Best, A |
29 August 2010, 10:28 PM | #29 |
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Thanks for sharing, Jacek!
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30 August 2010, 12:02 AM | #30 |
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Gorgeous Sub Jacek!
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