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Old 1 August 2018, 08:13 AM   #1
dukerules
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10 Years Ago Today

I've always been a watch guy. When I was a kid in the '80s, it was digital sports watches, and then Swatches. Didn't wear a watch in college, but then the bug hit me in a big way. Bought a quartz Citizen chronograph, followed by a quartz Titanium Swiss Army. One call night in the ICU as a resident, the battery in the Swiss Army died. I wore that watch for the better part of a decade, but that experience convinced me that I needed to own a mechanical.

I'd always been generally fascinated by the Rolex ads in the National Geographic magazines I read as a kid. At some point along the way, I decided I would buy a Rolex sports watch. There was this absolutely epic post on an old Land Rover forum (believe it was Expedition Exchange; sadly it doesn't appear the post is online any longer) in which the poster argued why the Rolex Submariner was absolutely the best, and only, watch anyone would ever need. That post really stuck with me. Truth be told, the ubiquitous Submariner didn't really interest me, but man, the Sea-Dweller sure did.

In the summer of 2007, I completed training, and got my first big boy job. I spent the better part of that year paying off debts from the previous decade of school and training. I stopped by the now-closed Carlyle Jewelers in Durham, NC a couple of times that year, checking out the Rolex inventory, but really didn't know if I could bring myself to spend that kind of money on a watch. I tried on a number of Rolex sport watches during these visits, but the 16600 was always the standout. At the end of that first year, I decided I would take the plunge. I walked into Carlyle on July 31, 2008, and bought the 16600. I even got 10% off without having to ask for it (times certainly have changed). I remember that they had the Deep Sea and the new ceramic GMT on hand as well; I almost bought the GMT as I thought it was beautiful, but the 16600 is the one I always wanted, and the one I put on my wrist.

So here we are 10 years later. The 16600 really led me down a fairly ridiculous path of watch obsession. I've had an incredible amount of fun in this hobby, and have met a lot of great people along the way. And I've spent a lot of money, too. I've had loads of watches since buying the 16600. Some of these were incredible, and many were objectively better watches in some ways. But the 16600 is still my favorite watch of them all, and my favorite watch period. It is beautiful, capable, versatile, bulletproof, and an absolute classic. It truly is the only watch I would ever need. It is an absolute joy to wear, and is the only forever keeper watch that will ever grace this watch nerd's collection. It probably could use a service, but I'd miss it while it was away, you know?

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Old 1 August 2018, 08:18 AM   #2
Colin10101
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Love it. I feel the same way about my GMT. The 16600 is one of the great references of all time, and is an absolute do everything, anytime watch. You really could wear that for the rest of your life and never need or want another watch.

Having a piece you are passionate about is, IMO, the ultimate feeling in this hobby.
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Old 1 August 2018, 08:23 AM   #3
SG56
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Very nice!

Happy Anniversary!

My story is similar.

10 years ago i got my master's and went to the local AD too look at that yacht-master that i was in love with.

it was somewhere around $5k.

But i also started this motorcycle track riding, and needed a track bike.

With all tuition to pay off, i figured, well, i can buy a $2k watch and a $3k bike, or buy a $5k watch.

I went with a $2k Tag and a track bike.
But that's how i met my husband, so it was meant to be :)

almost 10 years later, after selling the latest track bike, i turned around, walked into the same AD and bought the yacht-master. It was waiting for me :)

I hope you enjoy it for many years to come!
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Sea-Dweller 116600 - the manly one
GMT II 16710 - the manly one
Daytona 116500 - the manly-womanly one
Yacht-Master 268622 - the chick version
Speedy Mitsukoshi <3
Tag Heuer Aquaracer WAF141C.BA0824 - the chick version

Thank you logan5tx!!! Have to link it. Too long for the signature.
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Old 1 August 2018, 08:55 AM   #4
THC
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Congrats... you could get top dollar for that beaut nowadays...
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Old 1 August 2018, 09:26 AM   #5
rhairman
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I think I have a quite similar story here.

This is the advertisement I saw in the magazine in the ‘80s (if Im not mistaken)



And this is the watch I bought in 2008




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Old 1 August 2018, 09:43 AM   #6
Txkill
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I just got mt 16600 this year and absolutely love it. Just knowing it can do whatever I need it to do and more is satisfying.
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Old 1 August 2018, 09:56 AM   #7
McLovin
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Great watch and great watch story!
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Old 1 August 2018, 10:23 AM   #8
HogwldFLTR
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Nice tale!!! I like the 16600 and have been eyeing them for quite a while. Ended up getting the 116600 last year instead. I was ready to buy the five digit version but the seller backed out. Very happy with the ceramic version!!!
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Old 1 August 2018, 10:38 AM   #9
imgook
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good read, thanks for sharing.
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Old 1 August 2018, 10:39 AM   #10
nick c
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Great story, congratulations
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Old 1 August 2018, 10:45 AM   #11
lhanddds
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Great story and a great watch. I think it’s a keeper.


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Old 1 August 2018, 10:46 AM   #12
toneafficianado
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Great story!
There's only ever one First Rolex!
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Old 1 August 2018, 10:59 AM   #13
Avs Fan
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Love it

I also purchased mine in 2008. I probably treat it more like a fine piece of jewelry than the workhorse that it is, but I really enjoy it.
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Old 1 August 2018, 11:09 AM   #14
topcat30093
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Love this type of thread and the stories that it reveals.
Huge admiration to you all.
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Old 1 August 2018, 11:11 AM   #15
ttomczak
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Great story from another NC wis!
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Old 1 August 2018, 11:17 AM   #16
T01
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Nice 10!
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Old 1 August 2018, 11:18 AM   #17
Eric Chan
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Thanks for sharing. Great story. It truly is one of the all time greats.
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Old 1 August 2018, 11:27 AM   #18
voltc
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great story, happy Anniversary.
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Old 1 August 2018, 03:08 PM   #19
eonflux
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Congrats!

10 years ago, I also got my first Rolex, a GMTc.
Didn't like Rolex models before that, with the hollow links, stamped clasps, etc.

This one I'll always keep.
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Old 1 August 2018, 03:32 PM   #20
Rolex_geek
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Great story. I bought my first Rolex, a GMTII Coke from an AD in 2006 and I feel the same affection. I think I got a 5-10% discount on it as well. The SD is a stunning piece, congratulations!
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Old 1 August 2018, 04:11 PM   #21
Duke84
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Nice story! Your 16600 is a beautiful watch.
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Old 1 August 2018, 04:29 PM   #22
sensui
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Great story and happy to hear the Sea Dweller bring you this much joy throughout the years. Keep on rocking it.
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Old 1 August 2018, 07:21 PM   #23
Blackdog
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I’m glad you’re enjoying the SD. It is a one of the greatest Rolex references !

Great story about your first Rolex. For me it was 2005.
I had owned (very happily, might I add) a 79090 Tudor Sub since 1991. I could not afford the Rolex Sub at the time, but never regretted getting the Tudor. It served me well and never let me down. But by 2005 finances had changed for the better and I felt I was ready for the upgrade.

Then I was exposed, for the first time, to the Rolex AD games and nonsense… It was the times of the Kermit, and Subs were all the rage. Nowhere to be found in stock, you had to “develop a relationship” with the dealer to be put in a waiting list…. This was the first time I heard this.

I found a 16600 SD in the AD at Amsterdam Airport on a business trip, and thought it was the way to go. The very next week I was traveling again and went directly to buy it, but it was sold… I was even patronised by the saleswoman: “When you find one, you have to buy it on the spot. These are very desirable and we don’t know when we’ll get another”.

I was seriously turned off by this attitude, and discarded the idea of getting the Sub altogether.
A week later, just by chance, I found in a shop in Amsterdam a full set, just serviced, mint 16610 from 1991. It was like the watch I could not afford back then had been patiently waiting for me. I traded the Tudor in and got my first Rolex.

I wore it while getting my diving certifications. It accompanied me on several diving holidays and it is today worn by my wife.
Me, I got my Z-series Sea Dweller 16600 back in 2014 and I’m wearing it now.

It is really sad to see that the games of nonsense are only getting worse with every iteration…

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Old 1 August 2018, 09:45 PM   #24
ashokleyland
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Thread like these are worth clicking and reading.
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Old 1 August 2018, 11:21 PM   #25
jsausley
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I bought my first Swiss Watch from Carlyle & Co in Durham, in about 2003. It was a TAG Heuer CAF2110.
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Old 1 August 2018, 11:47 PM   #26
1William
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Very nice.
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Old 2 August 2018, 02:02 AM   #27
psychokandy
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thank you for sharing the great story.
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