SamJH
186
I still haven't begun to process this news . . .
At WUS, one of Chuck's life-long non-WIS friends posted this under the name tganek (his first post). This captured the essence of Chuck's character more than anything I could write.
"Fergie, rest assured there is no need to bury the hatchet with Charlie. He did not hold a grudge. If you shared even a 100th of his passion for watches I am sure he regarded you in high esteem.
And let me apologize. You all don't know me. I know nothing of watches. But I had the honor of sharing Charlie's friendship for 30 years. Sorry, we have always known him as Charlie or Char.
We were all stunned today. After the initial shock, phone calls, scrambling around, several of us googled Char's name. That's how I found this site. It may come as a surprise but outside the internet his close friends barely knew of his watch obsession. Char was very modest. Understatement. I think I may be one of the only friends who knew he was even published. He had an irresistible charisma, sharp intellect and wit. And yet he was so unassuming. Walk softly...
I wanted to share this story with folks who would appreciate it. I am cheap. I was always attracted to Char's Porsche Design Orfinas. For years he sent me Ebay links. I kept cursing him for trying to drag me into another "hobby" I couldn't afford. But I really loved those Porsche designed watches... Last year my nephew (who thinks Char is a god) and I met Char at a local bookstore as we always do. Charlie handed me a small pouch. I opened it. There was a beautifully weathered Orfina inside. "try it out" Chuck said. So many times I have tried on his watches. The shear weight of the thing. The depth of it. It fit perfectly. Solid. Char had purchased additional links for the band. "Why don't you hang on to it for a while..." Charlie knew that although I loved those Orfinas I would never pull the trigger and buy one. Too cheap.
"... what? I couldn't." I replied meekly. I was stunned. The watch felt so right on my wrist. I have never owned a watch before. Never worn anything on my wrist or fingers. Yet I couldn't take it off. It just felt good.
I paid him back for the watch. I had to despite his many protests. There is no way I could accept such a gift. But that is Charles Maddox III. Walk softy.
Chuck, you bastard. You outsmarted me again. You tricked me into the watch of my dreams. It's the only watch I have ever owned. It's the only thing I have ever worn on my wrist.
I can't believe you will not be here today to put up with my stupid emails."
And let me apologize. You all don't know me. I know nothing of watches. But I had the honor of sharing Charlie's friendship for 30 years. Sorry, we have always known him as Charlie or Char.
We were all stunned today. After the initial shock, phone calls, scrambling around, several of us googled Char's name. That's how I found this site. It may come as a surprise but outside the internet his close friends barely knew of his watch obsession. Char was very modest. Understatement. I think I may be one of the only friends who knew he was even published. He had an irresistible charisma, sharp intellect and wit. And yet he was so unassuming. Walk softly...
I wanted to share this story with folks who would appreciate it. I am cheap. I was always attracted to Char's Porsche Design Orfinas. For years he sent me Ebay links. I kept cursing him for trying to drag me into another "hobby" I couldn't afford. But I really loved those Porsche designed watches... Last year my nephew (who thinks Char is a god) and I met Char at a local bookstore as we always do. Charlie handed me a small pouch. I opened it. There was a beautifully weathered Orfina inside. "try it out" Chuck said. So many times I have tried on his watches. The shear weight of the thing. The depth of it. It fit perfectly. Solid. Char had purchased additional links for the band. "Why don't you hang on to it for a while..." Charlie knew that although I loved those Orfinas I would never pull the trigger and buy one. Too cheap.
"... what? I couldn't." I replied meekly. I was stunned. The watch felt so right on my wrist. I have never owned a watch before. Never worn anything on my wrist or fingers. Yet I couldn't take it off. It just felt good.
I paid him back for the watch. I had to despite his many protests. There is no way I could accept such a gift. But that is Charles Maddox III. Walk softy.
Chuck, you bastard. You outsmarted me again. You tricked me into the watch of my dreams. It's the only watch I have ever owned. It's the only thing I have ever worn on my wrist.
I can't believe you will not be here today to put up with my stupid emails."
That was the essence of Chuck . . . .
Hewybaby aka Sam
Chuck Maddox passed away today....
Hello everyone... it is with a heavy heart that I am writing all of you that my close friend Chuck Maddox passed away suddenly this morning. He will be greatly missed by everyone in the watch community. When I get more information about the funeral and wh...
A great loss.
Even though I didn't know Chuck personally he always took the time to help if I had a question. My condolences to his family and friends. He will be greatly missed. Chris
I'm saddened by this news, Bill . . .
. . . Chuck was instrumental in the restoration of my Speedmaster Mk II, and shared his advice and sources freely even though he didn't know me. I never met him even though we were both at Omegamania last year . . . I'm sorry I never got the chance to sha...
Thanks very much, Kurt . . .
. . . here's a photo of the Mk II that Chuck was consulted on . . . . . . and for which his parts source was invaluable . . . the handset, crystal, crown, and pushers were acquired with Chuck's able assistance. The watch now resides in Kurt's collection o...
