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Elliot55 shares a vivid personal anecdote about acquiring his Rolex GMT-Master II "Coca-Cola" in Laguna Beach, highlighting the emotional connection and unique circumstances surrounding watch purchases. His story delves into the sentimental value watches hold, contrasting it with the practicalities and costs of life events like divorce.
May, 1998
Laguna Beach, CA - Weekending in this quaint and sleepy beach town, I was out barhopping with a bunch of folks and ended up having dinner at this great Italian place with some friends and the [now ex] wife. There was a Rolex dealer right next door - we were waiting for our table when I saw her: a GMT Master II with a black and maroon-red bezel. Some refer to it as a “Coca-Cola dial” and back in the day this model actually came fitted with a stainless steel jubilee bracelet. Given the almost eight thousand dollars (US) Rolex charges for a GMT today, by comparison the thirty-five-hundred dollar price tag fourteen years ago does seem like a bargain.
After dinner, just for fun we went next door - the town pretty much shuts down around 10:00pm, and this particular jeweler is smart enough to stay open as long as the restaurants are serving food and the bars pouring booze. To be sure, when you and your [former] significant other enter a Rolex store wearing Rolexes, the salespeople do seem to take you a little more seriously. Not sayin’ - Just sayin’. Anyway, only minutes go by before we are approached.
“Good evening… is there something in particular that interests you?”
“May I please see that GMT you have in the window?”
“Excellent choice,” the salesman schmoozed, slipping on the white gloves while moving towards the window display. “This bracelet gives it a more unique look… a great addition to your Submariner,” he ass-kissed while handing me the treasure.
It had that new car smell and even with all the tags and junk hanging from it, it fit perfectly – not a single adjustment needed! Turning my wrist over, each shiny-new teardrop link danced brilliantly in the light, and the clasp was pristine – something we all know is the first thing to get scuffed. I would have bought it on the spot, but was getting the major stink eye from the [now ex] wife.
“I don’t understand, you already have a watch,” she whined in a voice that sounded like a murder of crows. “You don’t need another watch, such a waste of money!”
Yeah, but not your money, I thought to myself. I suppose everyone needs 20 pairs of shoes or 30 different purses. So with a belly full of pasta, wine and tiramisu, not to mention the upside-down smile (me and the jeweler), I thought better of it and left without the watch.
Most people simply do not understand why anyone could want (or need) more than one timepiece. Then again, most people rely on their mobile phones for the time and the date, their calendar and their contacts, texting, GPS… their every breath - constantly clutching at them as if their very lives depend on it. A small group of folks, purists if you will, share a common love for timepieces of a mechanical nature; some of which are hell of more sophisticated than any device constructed out of circuits and plastic. I’d rather be part of the few than lost among the many.
Being a purist does have its drawbacks. The fact I couldn’t stop thinking about that GMT is one example. Once a purist gets a hair in his ass, well you get my drift. It’s a blessing and a curse - like having an itch you can’t scratch; what you’d call a dilemma. An enigma. A conundrum. So one day about five or six weeks later, I jumped in my car and drove back down to Laguna Beach to get it. But then fearful I’d get yelled at – like a cuckolded husband - I hid the watch away, only to put it on when ‘the ex’ wasn’t home. Yes. I admit it. I was a pussy! Needless to say, today the perfect beauty sits comfortably on my wrist out in the open.
Essentially a pilot’s watch, it’s not only the simple and elegant nature of this piece that speaks to me, but indeed its very personal history. For starters, it’s a bit thinner than my Submariner and hides better underneath a dress shirt cuff. The jubilee bracelet gives the watch a sense of elegance but remains under-the-radar by not being the typical two-tone or solid gold bling fest. The iconic dial is timeless and it is the must have travel companion. Ultimately, wearing the GMT reminds me that I have my freedom – and that’s worth more than anything in the world!
Recently serviced, it returned to me showroom perfect. In Los Angeles, I trust the good folks at Geary’s in Century City. After six (long) weeks, Duane, the Geary’s manager, beamed with pride as he handed her back to me, and commented how they don’t see many of these (16710) with a jubilee bracelet. Of the watches I own, this one does seem to fetch the most compliments. I’ve even been pulled over by the police and when the officer approached my car window I had both hands on the steering wheel. First thing the cop said was “Nice watch”. I still got the ticket.
After fourteen years the beauty runs perfectly and looks almost brand new! Best part is, having seen it the ex-wife admits it is special and doesn’t begrudge me for going back to Laguna to get it. With all the purses and shoes I’ve paid for (over the years and even after the divorce) I know she feels bad about creating all the drama. Loving that!
The very funny thing is that I am, right now, preparing something on the Rolex GMT Master, which " turns " arounfd one question: What is hidden behind a GMT Master. You answered in one word, Freedom, when I needed at least 3: Tool / Travel / Adventure. Poor Ex Wife! Best, my friend. Nicolas, another great GMT Fan. This message has been edited by amanico on 2012-04-07 02:20:11
Hi, Nicolas - Somehow she got the house and most of the money, so something tells me she ain't that poor! Funny thing is, my freedom's worth more than everything she took! Life is good. best to you my friend! - scotty
.... Love the story and love the twist with your ex-wife and shoes etc. My divorce only cost me two Omegas.. She never new how many watches I had and as I changed often, could I occasionally add a new watch without she noticed it My first Rolex was a 1675 blue and red bezel. My biggest mistake was, when I sold it Best Hans
Hans - Only two Omegas? I mean, the divorce cost you a total of two Omegas? Or you had to give the ex two Omegas and then some more stuff? If it only cost you two Omegas, either way you got off light! Sorry you had to give them up in the first place. I made it clear from the start the ex was not going to get a single one of my watches. She also wanted my drum sets. That wasn't going to happen. So I gave up the house and most of my dough (at the time). Haha... as I think of it, two Omegas would'v
Half of the house, that I had paid myself before we married and half the cash. What she didn't get was half of some shares that were not registered in our bank and my super retirement fund... But for sure it was expensive too get married, and to get rid of her.. Best luck with your second? Hans
Hey, Hans - You know why divorce is so expensive? Because it's worth every penny! - scott
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