I first discovered reps in the early 1990's. Living in the west, I knew nothing about Canal Street. One day, a friend showed me his new Rolex and told me it was a rep. He explained that it was a "good" rep because it had a "perpetual motion" (sweeping) second hand. He told me that "bad" reps have second hands that "tick." I asked him how he got this incredible watch that replicated the Rolex sweeping second hand. He said that he found the seller through a little classified ad in the newspaper.
Of course, I asked my friend for his connection. I called the seller, and we met in a parking lot. He showed me several Rolex watches he had for sale, all with sweeping second hands. I was so excited. I was like a kid in a candy store! At that time, I knew next to nothing about Rolex other than its reputation. I had no idea what models were what, or that a numbering system even existed. So I bought what I liked based on looks alone: a 16613 LB.
I started wearing the 16613 as a my daily watch. I loved it! But I didn't know how long it would last, and I suspected that my source may not be around forever. So I decided to buy some more watches for "down the road." I met with my source again to see what he had. All I had access to was what he brought with him to our second parking lot meeting. I wound up buying a day/date on a presidential bracelet. It really wasn't my style, but I figured it could be a good gift for a girlfriend. I also bought a "Yachtmaster." The quotes around "Yachtmaster" will make sense later. At that time, I did not know that the day/date was called a day/date. Back then, people (at least people like me who didn't know much about Rolex) used to refer to the date/day with a presidential bracelet as a "Rolex Presidential." That's what I thought it was called.
I continued to wear the 16613 as my daily watch. I could get away with one nice watch, but I couldn't get away with alternating watches. So I wore the "Yachtmaster" only a few times. I wound up offering the Day/Date to my mom. She wore it a few times but really wasn't into it, so I got it back.
After several years, the 16613 had really taken a beating from daily wear. Remarkably, I was able to find a replacement for it. I then wore the second 16613 for years.
Then came a time when I stopped wearing watches for a number of years. A few years back, I decided I wanted to wear watches again. Not knowing any better, I pulled out my old (second) 16613 and started wearing it again. Over time, it turned into an all-out beater. Even then, I still continued to wear it, probably long past when I should have stopped. One day, I must have banged my wrist on something, because I realized I lost the bezel. That was a sign to retire the watch.
Since 20+ years had passed, my source in the parking lot was obviously nowhere to be found. I got online and started searching. I found a ton of rep sites and had a hard time figuring out which one to trust. I did not know about the existence of TDs. I finally pulled the trigger and bought a VC. Fortunately, I did receive a watch, but it was too big for my wrist. So I got online again. This time, lucky me, I found this wonderful rep community. I'm so glad I did. This is such a great community, filled with super nice people that go out of their way to help (as long as your don't ask "Who has the best sub?"
). I am particularly grateful for this forum. It's full of great people and no drama. What's not to like?
Ok, enough talk. Here are the photos.
My first 16613 is no longer in existence. May it RIP. My second 16613 super-beater is now fully-retired. Don't laugh too hard. Remember, I lost the bezel. It's a nice reminder of my first rep. BTW, the movement still runs like a champ. I pulled it out for pics and it's still running.
The back is a bit beat up too, lol.
And, of course, a wristie:
Next up, we have the Day/Date. It also still runs great. And it's practically new.
And let's do a wristie with a "ladies" watch. Why not, lol.
Well, I thought I could attach more files than 10 but I guess not. Since I have 4 more pics to go, the "Yachtmaster" will have to wait for the next post.
To put things into perspective, this was within a few years before sites like Craigslist, eBay and Amazon were even founded, much less popular.
Of course, I asked my friend for his connection. I called the seller, and we met in a parking lot. He showed me several Rolex watches he had for sale, all with sweeping second hands. I was so excited. I was like a kid in a candy store! At that time, I knew next to nothing about Rolex other than its reputation. I had no idea what models were what, or that a numbering system even existed. So I bought what I liked based on looks alone: a 16613 LB.
I started wearing the 16613 as a my daily watch. I loved it! But I didn't know how long it would last, and I suspected that my source may not be around forever. So I decided to buy some more watches for "down the road." I met with my source again to see what he had. All I had access to was what he brought with him to our second parking lot meeting. I wound up buying a day/date on a presidential bracelet. It really wasn't my style, but I figured it could be a good gift for a girlfriend. I also bought a "Yachtmaster." The quotes around "Yachtmaster" will make sense later. At that time, I did not know that the day/date was called a day/date. Back then, people (at least people like me who didn't know much about Rolex) used to refer to the date/day with a presidential bracelet as a "Rolex Presidential." That's what I thought it was called.
I continued to wear the 16613 as my daily watch. I could get away with one nice watch, but I couldn't get away with alternating watches. So I wore the "Yachtmaster" only a few times. I wound up offering the Day/Date to my mom. She wore it a few times but really wasn't into it, so I got it back.
After several years, the 16613 had really taken a beating from daily wear. Remarkably, I was able to find a replacement for it. I then wore the second 16613 for years.
Then came a time when I stopped wearing watches for a number of years. A few years back, I decided I wanted to wear watches again. Not knowing any better, I pulled out my old (second) 16613 and started wearing it again. Over time, it turned into an all-out beater. Even then, I still continued to wear it, probably long past when I should have stopped. One day, I must have banged my wrist on something, because I realized I lost the bezel. That was a sign to retire the watch.
Since 20+ years had passed, my source in the parking lot was obviously nowhere to be found. I got online and started searching. I found a ton of rep sites and had a hard time figuring out which one to trust. I did not know about the existence of TDs. I finally pulled the trigger and bought a VC. Fortunately, I did receive a watch, but it was too big for my wrist. So I got online again. This time, lucky me, I found this wonderful rep community. I'm so glad I did. This is such a great community, filled with super nice people that go out of their way to help (as long as your don't ask "Who has the best sub?"
). I am particularly grateful for this forum. It's full of great people and no drama. What's not to like?Ok, enough talk. Here are the photos.
My first 16613 is no longer in existence. May it RIP. My second 16613 super-beater is now fully-retired. Don't laugh too hard. Remember, I lost the bezel. It's a nice reminder of my first rep. BTW, the movement still runs like a champ. I pulled it out for pics and it's still running.
The back is a bit beat up too, lol.
And, of course, a wristie:
Next up, we have the Day/Date. It also still runs great. And it's practically new.
And let's do a wristie with a "ladies" watch. Why not, lol.
Well, I thought I could attach more files than 10 but I guess not. Since I have 4 more pics to go, the "Yachtmaster" will have to wait for the next post.
