Grandpa's 1803/thank you Rolliworks!

[Slimpee]

As i've posted before, I inherited a YG 1803 from my grandpa. This watch holds incredible emotional value for me as I have fond memories of my grandpa's prized possession (second place is an incredible autographed baseball I also have). In photos of me as a baby, he's wearing the watch. When we'd go to football games, he'd wear the watch. When he took me golfing, he'd wear the watch. He was in the travel industry and traveled the worked with this watch. In one southeast Asian country, he was sitting in a bar and was told by a local that a couple of guys in the corner were watching my grandpa and we’re probably going to jump him when he left. The local went over and distracted the guys giving my grandpa time to hustle across the street to his hotel.

The day he passed away...he was wearing the watch.

The story he told me about how he got it is fun: He was meeting with the owner of the local AD on unrelated business and commented on the watch. The AD said he’d sell it off his wrist because Rolex wanted him to wear a new model. My grandpa made the deal right there. He said my grandma almost killed him. That was in the early-mid 70s and I think he wore it just about every day since.


As many of you understand, this is more than a watch to me. It's a link and constant reminder of my wonderful relationship with my grandpa.


When I received the watch, the band was badly stretched and was far too small for me to wear. I knew I wanted to wear it on the president bracelet. Unfortunately, as his health started to deteriorate, his wrist got smaller...but he still wanted to wear the watch so links were removed. Those links disappeared. 


I got in touch with Rolliworks for a bracelet rebuild and added links. They ended up adding 4 links and I asked for "2" (vintage-looking) polish. I am thrilled with the results! Below are before and after pictures.

I absolutely cherish this watch and i'm glad to be able to add my own chapter to the watch's history. I look forward to sharing my grandpa with my son, who, God-willing, will be born any day now. 

Thank you to Rolliworks for bringing my Grandpa's watch new life!



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[Kingsking]

Beautiful watch and story. Just something about older looking gold , the patina from years of being worn just gives it such a beautiful colour and look.

[tirefryer]

Looking great and thank you for sharing such an important, and intimate part of your relationship with your grandpa! Enjoy it in good health, and to an eventual transition of the watch to the next generation through your kids.

[drockadam]

Stunning!

[rolexest]

Absolutely gorgeous watch and amazing story

[emersm]

Looks great! Wear it in good health.

[TimeLord2]

Enjoyed the story and the watch! Thanks for sharing with us!

[BNA/LION]

Looks Fantastic!

[crowncollection]

Nice work.


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[miamiclay]

Looks great!
I love the silver and gold linen textured dials.

[bradleyt09]

Beautiful watch, great job done by Rolliworks. I hope you always enjoy this watch and the fond memories of your grandfather. Congratulations and best of luck with the birth of your son.

[zapokee]

Spectacular.

He must have been a real boss to wear this while playing golf . He'll be looking down with pride at what you've done with it. Well done.

[Styles Bitchley]

Fantastic watch and story. Thanks for sharing!

[Jerrocop]

Amazing finished product! I love the dial on this one!

[neilziesing]

Awesome story! Enjoy that in good health!


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[NOPDK]

Wear it well. Wonderful history.

[Dr.Smellody]

Beautiful. Love it. Even better with history.

[Andad]

Very nice 11/10.

[rootbeer7]

Amazing legacy. Beautiful watch.

[1William]

Great story, cool watch. They did a very good job.

[Jackie Daytona]

Looks great. I love hearing these stories. Glad it came back so well done.

[ronricks]

Wow looks great! You are lucky to have such an heirloom.

[JimSnyder]

Fantastic story, always like to read these posts. Cherish it

[jatco]

Such a great story. Always like to read post like these.
So glad the work done is right on. I'm sure you'll cherish it and wear it in good health. Gramps would be very please...

[Slimpee]

Thank you, everyone.

I have recently grown sentimental about heirlooms and the stories they tell. I think a large part of that is because I lost 3 of my 4 grandparents in 2020. Luckily, I still have one grandfather living and I cherish being able to call him.

In addition to the DD, I was also gifted two pocket watches, one from each side of the family. They’re both circa 1920. Neither had run for years...probably decades. I had them both serviced and surprisingly, they now run! One, a Tavannes, was my paternal great-great-grandfather’s. At the time, my grandpa’s family was living in Cairo. My gg-grandfather was a cobbler. When he retired, my family bought him a Swiss pocket watch to show their appreciation. He cherished that pocket watch because at that time in Egypt, Swiss watches were a status symbol.

I am so pleased that the watch he loved made its way from Cairo to CA to me in the Midwest.

While neither pocketwatch has much monetary value (and cost more to service than they’re worth), I have just as much attachment to each as I do to the DD.

[Slimpee]

Here are the Tavannes and Hampden Dueber pocket watches. I don't have artsy photos of them...

This doesn't come across in photos, but they both have really cool midnight blue hands.

I wind then up every couple of weeks to keep them lubricated but they're both on display and are more decorative than used as timepieces.

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[Tavli3]

Rolliworks deserves a gold star for that.
Great story and best wishes for the birth of your son.


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[jatco]

Originally Posted by Slimpee

Thank you, everyone.

I have recently grown sentimental about heirlooms and the stories they tell. I think a large part of that is because I lost 3 of my 4 grandparents in 2020. Luckily, I still have one grandfather living and I cherish being able to call him.

In addition to the DD, I was also gifted two pocket watches, one from each side of the family. They’re both circa 1920. Neither had run for years...probably decades. I had them both serviced and surprisingly, they now run! One, a Tavannes, was my paternal great-great-grandfather’s. At the time, my grandpa’s family was living in Cairo. My gg-grandfather was a cobbler. When he retired, my family bought him a Swiss pocket watch to show their appreciation. He cherished that pocket watch because at that time in Egypt, Swiss watches were a status symbol.

I am so pleased that the watch he loved made its way from Cairo to CA to me in the Midwest.

While neither pocketwatch has much monetary value (and cost more to service than they’re worth), I have just as much attachment to each as I do to the DD.

.
Similarly with my grandfather pocket watch. Not worth much, wasn't working but still, had to have it repaired. Now I keep it displayed and wind it up periodically....Just because.

[Slimpee]

Originally Posted by jatco

.
Similarly with my grandfather pocket watch. Not worth much, wasn't working but still, had to have it repaired. Now I keep it displayed and wind it up periodically....Just because.

That’s awesome! You’re probably like me...you don’t like it when things don’t work.

[jatco]

Originally Posted by Slimpee

That’s awesome! You’re probably like me...you don’t like it when things don’t work.

Exactly