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Old 24 April 2019, 08:59 AM   #31
HarryLime
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jamesivta View Post
My Father wore the watch while flying the F4. In 1970 he was deployed to a base in Korat, Thailand to fly missions in Vietnam. He flew over 75 missions in Vietnam and wore the watch. Upon returning to the states he flew the F-111 also wearing the watch. He retired as a Lt. Colonel. After that he got his PHD and was a professor at the Univ. of TX in Austin. I am looking for a picture of him in his flight suit.
Believe it or not, any photos backing this up could actually increase the value of your watch. If I were you, I'd send it to Phillip Ridley, he's in Texas too.
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Old 24 April 2019, 11:07 AM   #32
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Love when these threads turn out like this. Beautiful watch! Just make sure you're dealing with a watchmaker who knows what they're dealing with.
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Old 24 April 2019, 12:14 PM   #33
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Originally Posted by sillo38 View Post
Love when these threads turn out like this. Beautiful watch! Just make sure you're dealing with a watchmaker who knows what they're dealing with.
Yes please take heed to what is being said here.
Don’t just take the watch to anyone even if they claim to know what their talking about. Make sure you due your homework. I wouldn’t trust any of my watch’s with anyone other than trusted reputable watchmakers. Please Please Please listen to us when we give you recommendations as to who take it to. Don’t just take it to your local watchmaker or jeweler unless they are reputable. They could destroy everything going for it.

Loving this.
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Old 24 April 2019, 02:32 PM   #34
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What a father, and what a watch he left you!

I would love it if you restore the watch gently and wear it in good health. The watch is priceless! Carry on the legacy!
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Old 25 April 2019, 12:05 AM   #35
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Thank You!

Appreciate the incredible info from everyone. I have been a Rolex owner and fan for over 25 years. But this was my first vintage. Knowing the background makes me even more proud to wear my Father's watch. I'm sure I'll be asking more questions in the future if I do anything to change it.

One question: I know the band is not original, I think I have seen three different bands that came with it originally, including a leather band. Any recommendations on which would be the best, I'm sure none of them will be cheap.
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Old 25 April 2019, 12:22 AM   #36
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Maybe a 6251h, but don't quote me and needs to be a corresponding year as well.

or a 7836, but it's got to be one of those.
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Old 25 April 2019, 04:10 AM   #37
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jamesivta View Post
This watch belonged to my Father. He was a child during the depression, started working at the age of 10 in Iowa. He owned his first car (an Austin) when he was 13, bought it for $30 dollars. He paid his own way through college and was in the air force ROTC. He joined the air force after graduation. In 1960 he was in flight school learning to fly the F4 Phantom. In flight school he became friends with another student. This student came from a fairly wealthy family and he had the watch. The watch had a minor problem and was not working correctly. Based on that he traded the watch to my Father for a radio that my Dad had. What a trade! My Father wore the watch while flying the F4. In 1970 he was deployed to a base in Korat, Thailand to fly missions in Vietnam. He was flying the B66 electronic jammier. They would fly ahead of the fighters and bombers (very dangerous) to jam the Vietnamese missiles and protect the other planes. He flew over 75 missions in Vietnam and wore the watch. Upon returning to the states he flew the F-111 also wearing the watch. He retired as a Lt. Colonel. After that he got his PHD and was a professor at the Univ. of TX in Austin. He was also a successful real estate investor and loved rebuilding vintage cars. He has rebuilt numerous Model A Fords (I have one of them, a 1931 Model A Ford Police Paddy Wagon). He was also a great Father. Many more things to his life, but these are the highlights. I am looking for a picture of him in his flight suit.
Its a great piece on its own, with this history/provenance it's an amazing piece. Thanks a lot for your post.
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Old 25 April 2019, 04:24 AM   #38
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Originally Posted by BigBlue1 View Post
Maybe a 6251h, but don't quote me and needs to be a corresponding year as well.

or a 7836, but it's got to be one of those.
7836 is a folded bracelet. It would have come on a rivet originally if an oyster. Either a CI rivet in the US or a Swiss 7206/6636. At that time they werent stamped with a reference number though.

The watch is likely from 1960 but if indeed 59 a nice big logo band would be fun. But those or pricey say the least.. The cheapest ”correct” band would be to find an early folded jubilee.
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Old 25 April 2019, 06:26 AM   #39
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@jamesivta
Thanks for sharing your watch and the wonderful story behind it.
Personally I'd put your time and $ into finding a period correct insert. Your current 7836/280 bracelet is certainly acceptable, albeit not exactly period correct. You might find that the folded 7836 is a bit more comfortable than the flimsy 7206 rivet. [But the rivet bracelet looks cool as hell].
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Old 25 April 2019, 08:27 AM   #40
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Amazing watch. Amazing story!


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Old 30 April 2019, 10:36 PM   #41
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can Rolex check if the watch dial is authentic?

I imagine any records from 1959 must have been in paper and very musty by now
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Old 30 April 2019, 10:46 PM   #42
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Lovely watch and heckuva story, OP. Good for you pal. Just for that I'm going to strap my old 1675 on, even if I'm anticipating rather less action today than your dad saw in his!
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Old 1 May 2019, 03:27 AM   #43
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Wonderful story! I love stories like this!
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Old 1 May 2019, 05:04 AM   #44
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Stories like these are the gems in this forum. Thank you for sharing. Hope you can find a reputable vintage Rolex watchmaker to help you out with this.
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Old 2 May 2019, 01:16 AM   #45
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Wonderful story, thanks for sharing. Take your time and do your homework keep the “restoration” as light as possible. That is a great watch you are a lucky man, enjoy.
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Old 2 May 2019, 11:05 PM   #46
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Brilliant story - great to hear these ones from way back - no watch pampering back then!
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Old 7 May 2019, 05:37 AM   #47
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Your father was an incredable man. Great story and watch dont sell it you will regret it
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Old 7 May 2019, 09:27 PM   #48
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That is a beauty..
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Old 8 May 2019, 02:36 AM   #49
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Congratulations - your father sounds quite accomplished and you have a gorgeous and valuable keepsake. Priceless!

If you are in Texas I suggest you get in touch with John aka ‘Springer’ on the forums. He will steer you right.




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