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FloridaSam · 6 April 2012, 10:38 AM

I had chosen not to tell this story on this Forum as it has some FAKE content in it. As well I did not want to come across as solely interested in price or appearing "cheap" as my passion is for watches in general no matter what their cost. However, a couple of people had PM'd me asking about how I came about my 14060 so rather than responding directly I thought I might as well spill the beans.

I've been collecting watches for about 10 years and have been intrigued by watches from a very early age. Unfortunately my income does not allow me to collect the masterpieces I have dreamt about and that's ok. One of my hobbies is hunting thrift stores and pawn shops in south Florida. Unlike many parts of the county (or world) south Florida has a unique population of retirees, tourists, and people living above their means. This makes for some great finds. I also collect vintage Hi-Fi equipment and have a storage unti full of amazing pieces I've collected from nothing but thrift stores. That bring me to my 14060 Submariner.

There is a pawn shop I frequent mostly looking for hi-fi and electric guitar related items. The owner is in a local band and often rotates his own collection through the store so there are usually some high end and unique pieces for sale. Not the usual Made In China student grade instruments found in most pawn shops.

On this day I commented to the owner that I noticed he no longer had any watches for sale in the jewelry case. He told me he will no longer take watches in pawn as last month he two supposedly genuine Breitling in pawn. The Breitling were both sold to someone who also thought these were genuine, had correctly marked ETA moevments, etc. Both watches were sent to Breitling for service and both were confiscated as being fakes. The pawn shop owner had to refund the customers their money and to put it lightly he was not happy.

He told me he had one last watch in the back that he had to sell but he was pretty sure it was a Franken watch of real and fake parts. I asked him to humor me and let me take a look. He brought out a 1999 A series 14060 Rolex Submariner. I knew a thing or two about these watches and other than being a bit too generously polished it looked spot on to me. I coyly asked why he thought it was a fake? He told me that since he was bruned on the Breitlings the only way to tell as fake was to use a digital caliper and measure the thickness, bezel diameter, dial etc. and this one just didn't measure up.... at this moment I turned my ears off as I knew exactly what was going on here. He was measuring the specs of a 14060 against a DATE Sub!!!! He told me that the bracelet was real, the movment was Rolex but everything else just didn't "measure" up. I asked what he wanted for it. He told me $1699.00 and not a penny less. I raced home, got the cash and flew like a bat out of hell back to the shop. I put the watch on, pretended to be very casual about buying this over priced fake from him.

On the way home I went to no less than 3 AD. Tournou, Hamiltons and my local authorized Rolex Repair guy. All three shook their head, called me some choice explitives and told me to enjoy what might be the best score you'll ever get collecting watches.

It hasn't left my wrist in 38 days and won't ever leave if I have anything to say about it. Its not perfect, it needs a new crystal as there are lot of VERY VERY faint scratches, most likely from florida beach sand. The crown on the clasp is heavily worn and needs replacing and the watch has been polished. All problems I can gladly and eagerly forgive.

So, to answer the PM's.... this is how to find a $1,700.00 14060. Easy? Nope. I hit dozens of pawns shops and thrifts every week. Like anything else its a law of averages, that one day I skip....that'll be the day the shop gets a Red Sub and doesn't know what it is....it happens. Really.

And the receipt.

coralhound · 6 April 2012, 10:44 AM

WOW! Congratulations on the score!

gwalker · 6 April 2012, 10:46 AM

Cool story. Enjoy your watch.

InTime · 6 April 2012, 10:47 AM

nice score

azguy · 6 April 2012, 10:48 AM

Great story, i'm surprised a pawn owner was so uneducated, but good for you.

Two line subs are the best

subwrist.JPG

Tridor · 6 April 2012, 10:50 AM

Great score, man. Enjoy it. Send it to RSC for a service (which it likely needs), and you'll be totally cool. I just love stories like this. And, a 2 line Sub is a true thing of beauty.

horseco · 6 April 2012, 10:52 AM

Every one is an ''expert" on Rolex... Guess you really were... HAHAHA!!!

bigwatchman · 6 April 2012, 10:57 AM

Great story and great find. Congrats. A true keeper.

murphy j · 6 April 2012, 11:01 AM

Awesome score!

superdog · 6 April 2012, 11:05 AM

Great story

wokafu · 6 April 2012, 11:07 AM

wow...great find...

joesephcho · 6 April 2012, 11:11 AM

fun read.

ikovalchuk17 · 6 April 2012, 11:14 AM

Very cool. Enjoy it.

moviefreak · 6 April 2012, 11:19 AM

Good...

aeon888 · 6 April 2012, 11:21 AM

I love your story! But then on the suggestion that you have it service at the Rolex service center, please bear in mind that what if the watch was reported stolen or lost and was pawned to the pawnshop then there is still a remote possibility that the watch can be confiscated if the serial number matches that of the lost or stolen watch. ;)

it's your call though. I don't want to be a bad evil conscience telling you not to have it service at Rolex center for fear of being confiscated. hehehehe

dougshagam · 6 April 2012, 11:34 AM

Very cool story!

wrxsti · 6 April 2012, 12:59 PM

awesome score enjoy it

chicagofan · 6 April 2012, 02:17 PM

Congrats! Thanks for sharing.

cajerseyboy · 6 April 2012, 02:29 PM

Great story. Well told.

Enjoy your find of a lifetime!

HACKNSACK44 · 6 April 2012, 03:00 PM

Congrats!!

BOA · 6 April 2012, 03:09 PM

Good find! Twenty years ago I ran across a lightly used 16610 offered for around $1,700, so you did really well.

Genevapics · 6 April 2012, 03:43 PM

That was a story that needed to be told. Thank you for posting. If you educate yourself, and it looks like you have, you will run across a bargain or two every once in awhile. Because you were prepared, when the situation arose, you were ready to pounce... and you did.

Great story. Great find. Great score. If I were in your shoes, I don't think I would ever sell that watch; it has a great story behind it.

Enjoy and thanks again for the story...

DCgator · 6 April 2012, 04:20 PM

Congrats!

TSW · 6 April 2012, 04:31 PM

Great score!

mdesa · 6 April 2012, 04:54 PM

wow, congrats and what a great story!

Kingair · 6 April 2012, 05:06 PM

Great story and a G R E AT price !
Sadly we don't have almost no pawn shops in Belgium . . . .

HANW

mikkolopez · 6 April 2012, 05:31 PM

Lucky you but that happens if your patient enough to do the rounds of pawnshop search. Wear it in good health.

toph · 6 April 2012, 05:37 PM

Great story and very well done. Enjoy
Cheers

HORNBLOWER · 6 April 2012, 08:33 PM

OMG!.... I love it when things like this happen.

Andelain · 6 April 2012, 08:56 PM

Wow, great score! Now I wish there were pawn shops in Dubai!

6 April 2012, 10:38 AM	#1
FloridaSam "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Real Name: Sam Location: Sunny Florida Watch: Rolex 16013 Posts: 291	My Bargain Basement 14060 Story. I had chosen not to tell this story on this Forum as it has some FAKE content in it. As well I did not want to come across as solely interested in price or appearing "cheap" as my passion is for watches in general no matter what their cost. However, a couple of people had PM'd me asking about how I came about my 14060 so rather than responding directly I thought I might as well spill the beans. I've been collecting watches for about 10 years and have been intrigued by watches from a very early age. Unfortunately my income does not allow me to collect the masterpieces I have dreamt about and that's ok. One of my hobbies is hunting thrift stores and pawn shops in south Florida. Unlike many parts of the county (or world) south Florida has a unique population of retirees, tourists, and people living above their means. This makes for some great finds. I also collect vintage Hi-Fi equipment and have a storage unti full of amazing pieces I've collected from nothing but thrift stores. That bring me to my 14060 Submariner. There is a pawn shop I frequent mostly looking for hi-fi and electric guitar related items. The owner is in a local band and often rotates his own collection through the store so there are usually some high end and unique pieces for sale. Not the usual Made In China student grade instruments found in most pawn shops. On this day I commented to the owner that I noticed he no longer had any watches for sale in the jewelry case. He told me he will no longer take watches in pawn as last month he two supposedly genuine Breitling in pawn. The Breitling were both sold to someone who also thought these were genuine, had correctly marked ETA moevments, etc. Both watches were sent to Breitling for service and both were confiscated as being fakes. The pawn shop owner had to refund the customers their money and to put it lightly he was not happy. He told me he had one last watch in the back that he had to sell but he was pretty sure it was a Franken watch of real and fake parts. I asked him to humor me and let me take a look. He brought out a 1999 A series 14060 Rolex Submariner. I knew a thing or two about these watches and other than being a bit too generously polished it looked spot on to me. I coyly asked why he thought it was a fake? He told me that since he was bruned on the Breitlings the only way to tell as fake was to use a digital caliper and measure the thickness, bezel diameter, dial etc. and this one just didn't measure up.... at this moment I turned my ears off as I knew exactly what was going on here. He was measuring the specs of a 14060 against a DATE Sub!!!! He told me that the bracelet was real, the movment was Rolex but everything else just didn't "measure" up. I asked what he wanted for it. He told me $1699.00 and not a penny less. I raced home, got the cash and flew like a bat out of hell back to the shop. I put the watch on, pretended to be very casual about buying this over priced fake from him. On the way home I went to no less than 3 AD. Tournou, Hamiltons and my local authorized Rolex Repair guy. All three shook their head, called me some choice explitives and told me to enjoy what might be the best score you'll ever get collecting watches. It hasn't left my wrist in 38 days and won't ever leave if I have anything to say about it. Its not perfect, it needs a new crystal as there are lot of VERY VERY faint scratches, most likely from florida beach sand. The crown on the clasp is heavily worn and needs replacing and the watch has been polished. All problems I can gladly and eagerly forgive. So, to answer the PM's.... this is how to find a $1,700.00 14060. Easy? Nope. I hit dozens of pawns shops and thrifts every week. Like anything else its a law of averages, that one day I skip....that'll be the day the shop gets a Red Sub and doesn't know what it is....it happens. Really. And the receipt.

6 April 2012, 11:05 AM	#10
superdog 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Real Name: Seth Location: nj Watch: Omega Posts: 24,697	Great story __________________ If happiness is a state of mind, why look anywhere else for it? IG: gsmotorclub IG: thesawcollection (Both mostly just car stuff)

6 April 2012, 11:19 AM	#14
moviefreak "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: in my house... Posts: 5,524	Good... __________________ Cheers, Eduardo Be a WIS not a WUSS... and remove all the stickers..

6 April 2012, 12:59 PM	#17
wrxsti "TRF" Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Earth Posts: 1,694	awesome score enjoy it __________________ PP Geneva

6 April 2012, 02:29 PM	#19
cajerseyboy "TRF" Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Northern Cal Watch: me find "the one" Posts: 745	Great story. Well told. Enjoy your find of a lifetime! __________________ 116610LN 216570 116710BLNR 116610LV 116500LN 116519LN

6 April 2012, 10:44 AM	#2
coralhound "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Real Name: Chris Location: Alabama Watch: Subs/JLC MCalendar Posts: 269	WOW! Congratulations on the score!

6 April 2012, 10:46 AM	#3
gwalker "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Real Name: Gunter Location: AL/NJ Watch: DSSD; 116610LN Posts: 5,509	Cool story. Enjoy your watch.

6 April 2012, 10:47 AM	#4
InTime Banned Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: BermudaAntarctica Posts: 892	nice score

6 April 2012, 10:48 AM	#5
azguy Banned Join Date: Sep 2011 Real Name: ------- Location: ------- Watch: --------- Posts: 12,609	Great story, i'm surprised a pawn owner was so uneducated, but good for you. Two line subs are the best subwrist.JPG

6 April 2012, 10:50 AM	#6
Tridor "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: The Ozone Watch: DD, DJ, SubC Date Posts: 1,666	Great score, man. Enjoy it. Send it to RSC for a service (which it likely needs), and you'll be totally cool. I just love stories like this. And, a 2 line Sub is a true thing of beauty.

6 April 2012, 10:52 AM	#7
horseco "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Real Name: Anthony Location: North Jersey Watch: Daytona 116528 Posts: 3,384	Every one is an ''expert" on Rolex... Guess you really were... HAHAHA!!!

6 April 2012, 10:57 AM	#8
bigwatchman "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Real Name: Scott Location: North Carolina Posts: 1,307	Great story and great find. Congrats. A true keeper.

6 April 2012, 11:01 AM	#9
murphy j Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Real Name: Jeffrey Location: Oklahoma Posts: 89	Awesome score!

6 April 2012, 11:07 AM	#11
wokafu "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Malaysia Watch: SM300+14060M Posts: 2,012	wow...great find...

6 April 2012, 11:11 AM	#12
joesephcho "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Dallas, TX Watch: Submariner ND Posts: 188	fun read.

6 April 2012, 11:14 AM	#13
ikovalchuk17 "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: LA Watch: ND Sub Posts: 371	Very cool. Enjoy it.

6 April 2012, 11:21 AM	#15
aeon888 "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Midwest Posts: 746	I love your story! But then on the suggestion that you have it service at the Rolex service center, please bear in mind that what if the watch was reported stolen or lost and was pawned to the pawnshop then there is still a remote possibility that the watch can be confiscated if the serial number matches that of the lost or stolen watch. ;) it's your call though. I don't want to be a bad evil conscience telling you not to have it service at Rolex center for fear of being confiscated. hehehehe

6 April 2012, 11:34 AM	#16
dougshagam "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Real Name: Doug Location: NJ Watch: Polar 216570, SD4K Posts: 46	Very cool story!

6 April 2012, 02:17 PM	#18
chicagofan "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Real Name: Howard Location: Chicago Posts: 3,588	Congrats! Thanks for sharing.

6 April 2012, 03:00 PM	#20
HACKNSACK44 "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Real Name: Chuck Location: Orlando Watch: 114060 Posts: 8,450	Congrats!! __________________ 114060

6 April 2012, 03:09 PM	#21
BOA "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Real Name: Bruce Location: Chicago, IL Watch: Meteorite DD Posts: 2,159	Good find! Twenty years ago I ran across a lightly used 16610 offered for around $1,700, so you did really well.

6 April 2012, 03:43 PM	#22
Genevapics "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Real Name: Andre Location: Delaware Watch: Submariner Posts: 296	That was a story that needed to be told. Thank you for posting. If you educate yourself, and it looks like you have, you will run across a bargain or two every once in awhile. Because you were prepared, when the situation arose, you were ready to pounce... and you did. Great story. Great find. Great score. If I were in your shoes, I don't think I would ever sell that watch; it has a great story behind it. Enjoy and thanks again for the story... __________________ *–Andre´*

6 April 2012, 04:20 PM	#23
DCgator "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: PNW Watch: DS,BLNR,SubLV,DJ2 Posts: 8,123	Congrats!

6 April 2012, 04:31 PM	#24
TSW "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Real Name: TSW Location: Le Brassus Watch: Rolex & AP's Posts: 27,449	Great score! __________________ AP Owners Club IG @swiss.watch.connection

6 April 2012, 04:54 PM	#25
mdesa Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: chicago usa Watch: SS Sub 14060M Posts: 116	wow, congrats and what a great story!

6 April 2012, 05:06 PM	#26
Kingair "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Real Name: Marc Location: SoCal Watch: Not enough ;-) Posts: 21,232	Great story and a G R E AT price ! Sadly we don't have almost no pawn shops in Belgium . . . . HANW

6 April 2012, 05:31 PM	#27
mikkolopez "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Philippines Posts: 2,301	Lucky you but that happens if your patient enough to do the rounds of pawnshop search. Wear it in good health.

6 April 2012, 05:37 PM	#28
toph "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Real Name: ChrisTOPHer Location: Sydney Watch: Rolex, Brellum, Posts: 12,601	Great story and very well done. Enjoy Cheers __________________ "Where no counsel is the people fall, but in the multitude of counselors there is safety." Member No.# 11795

6 April 2012, 08:33 PM	#29
HORNBLOWER "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Real Name: Ben Location: Ireland Watch: 1 OR 2 Posts: 2,636	OMG!.... I love it when things like this happen.

6 April 2012, 08:56 PM	#30
Andelain "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: The Sandbox Watch: ing your 6...... Posts: 1,379	Wow, great score! Now I wish there were pawn shops in Dubai! __________________ .

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