10 Years Old Today
10 Years Old 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 (many of whom are here at DWC). 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?
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 (many of whom are here at DWC). 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?
Last edited by dukerules on Tue Jul 31, 2018 3:49 pm, edited 1 time in total.
- unixshrk
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Re: 10 Years Old Today
Nice that you’ve had it that long. Great story as well.
10 Years Old Today
I love stories like this.
Congratulations on your anniversary!
Congratulations on your anniversary!
Last edited by hoppyjr on Tue Jul 31, 2018 3:17 pm, edited 2 times in total.
- unixshrk
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Re: 10 Years Old Today
Send them directly to Hoppy Rahul.hoppyjr wrote:I love stories like this. Congratulations on your anniversary!
You know, some photos of bowels would really tie this story together.
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Re: 10 Years Old Today
Yes, great story.
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Re: 10 Years Old Today
Great story Rahul
Keeper
Keeper
Re: 10 Years Old Today
Great writeup. That is my favorite Rolex diver.
Re: 10 Years Old Today
Love it. Thanks for taking the time to write it up.
The Sea-Dweller is a special watch. Hell, if I had that story and history with a watch, I'd probably sell off everything else and just rock it day in and day out. Or maybe I wouldn't, but I'd at least want to.
Looking forward to checking back in with you and that watch in another 10 years!
The Sea-Dweller is a special watch. Hell, if I had that story and history with a watch, I'd probably sell off everything else and just rock it day in and day out. Or maybe I wouldn't, but I'd at least want to.
Looking forward to checking back in with you and that watch in another 10 years!
- rockmastermike
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Re: 10 Years Old Today
fantastic, Rahul - wish I could had your stamina and longevity
thats what she said
thats what she said
- goaliechris
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Re: 10 Years Old Today
Congrats and could agree more. I think I bought mine around the same time. Will never get rid of it.
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- goaliechris
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10 Years Old Today
Congrats and couldn’t agree more. I think I bought mine around the same time. Will never get rid of it. Great story - thanks for sharing!
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Last edited by goaliechris on Tue Jul 31, 2018 4:52 pm, edited 1 time in total.
- Axelay2003
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Re: 10 Years Old Today
Thanks for sharing your story. That was a joy to read.
It's a beautiful world! Gerald.
- hollywoodphil
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Re: 10 Years Old Today
Happy Anniversary!
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Re: 10 Years Old Today
That's awesome.
"It's such a fine line between stupid, and clever."
David St. Hubbins
David St. Hubbins
Re: 10 Years Old Today
Mine was bought more recently but love everything about it
Re: 10 Years Old Today
grats! things like this are always better with a backstory. i wish i'd gotten into this hobby 10 years ago.
*sigh*
*sigh*
- toxicavenger
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Re: 10 Years Old Today
Congrats Rahul and great story. I wish I could have said the same.
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- Jeep99dad
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10 Years Old Today
Great story Rahul. I know how much you love this one. And it is truly all the watch one needs.
Merde Alors! Et Vive Les Francais!
Re: 10 Years Old Today
Outstanding story. I love that the 16600 has never left your collection.
Regards
Barry
Barry
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Re: 10 Years Old Today
Yep. Before things got nuts, it was a bonanza. In 2003 I bought an all original (including bracelet)1956 6536/1 for $700. at an antique store/flea market. Proprietor thought I was nuts for spending that much on an "old, worn Rolex". Later, I traded a Kobold Seal, which I had about $1,500. in for a four year old LNIB Sub 16610. $700.-800. for vintage Doxas, Heuer Autavias, etc...
"Don't sweat the petty things and don't pet the sweaty things." - George Carlin
Re: 10 Years Old Today
Rahul also found the perfect window in his life to buy the perfect watch. Solid job, reduced debt, no kids to drain the bank account = time to go Rolex shopping.
Between the inflated prices of today and me staring down the barrels of paying for two college educations for my kids, I'm thinking my SeaDweller buying days are a bit off in the future.
During that "perfect window" in my life, I spent my disposable income on fast motorcycles and fast boats - all stuff that has gone to the wayside with family life. Oh well....
Between the inflated prices of today and me staring down the barrels of paying for two college educations for my kids, I'm thinking my SeaDweller buying days are a bit off in the future.
During that "perfect window" in my life, I spent my disposable income on fast motorcycles and fast boats - all stuff that has gone to the wayside with family life. Oh well....
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