... so much!
You know, I have been loving these watches since I was almost a child. My late father loved them, and hearing him talking about these watches, when I was a 10 year old lad in the late 50´s convinced me I was going to own one some day.
The day came in 1966, as a present from my parents. I can give testimony of its noble movement, and the strenght of its case, and the dependable construction overall.
May be it is not the best watch in the world, nor the most accurate (in spite the fact that some of my Rolex, are astonishing accurate, including some with about 50 years on them!).
I own a 1680 used daily since 1977. I just retired it to be used on special occasions, just because I´m afraid that something could happen to it. I love it so much!
It was serviced only two times, last time in 2010, and only the plexi, gaskets and cleaning and oiling was required.
I asked not to polish the case, which remains with the little scars of more than 30 years of intense and faithful services.
I like many watches and brands, but I find no one which gives me the pleasure of wearing a Rolex. I specially like the vintage sport models: Subs, GMT, 1655 and 1016, but I also got some modern made ones, which I use on occassions I do not wish to put in risk a valuable vintage.
May be the link of the brand with adventure, discovery, exploration, cinema and sports, to which the brand was so attached, specially in the far years of my infance and my teens, has something to do with the image of romance and adventure these models inspire me.
Anyway, I love them, and though sometimes I look with a bit of dissapointment, some models of today, or the looks of some classics, changed accordingly with present tastes, trends and mode, I still keep loving the brand.
I feel your thorough article puts all these feelings in order and with more exact words than mine, and shows the facts which make these brand so desirable.
Thank you for your post, and I send my best cordial regards, Abel.