The Tale of the Hardware Store Rolex

[P4GTR]

So me and the fiance went up to Lowe's yesterday. The list of items to pick up included some clear silicone bathroom cauk; which was actually for the shower stall not my watch, and also a battery for the Altima coupe's keyless remote, and a replacement filter for the refridgerator water dispenser. We looked high and low for a water filter, and found nothing. I removed the filter out of the refridgerator on the showroom floor so I could easily explain the piece I needed. As I got up off of my hands and knees from pulling the demo filter, I look up to see the Lowes employee standing there, staring at us, waving a replacement filter at us with a smile. And what was that shiny thing on his wrist?

We talked about the filter, but I wasn't paying attention. What was this? Stainless. Blue anodized looking dial, with white print in all the right places. A small stainless rotating bezel. Air-King? It looked brand new too.

"Hey thats a nice Rolex".

What did I do? I said it already, there was no changing my words. Maybe he saw me staring at his lower area the whole time, and at least now realizes I was looking at his WATCH. Ugh, whats wrong with me. When am I going to learn, no one wants to talk watches in the wild!

"Yah, thank you. It was a gift from my grandmother. My grandfather collected watches"

Hmm, then why were you wearing a seemingly brand new air-king.

"...and she, bought this for me for my birthday".

I said "Thats beautiful, what model is it?"

"It's an Explorer"

No its not. I mean. I'm just saying. But, really I can't say that. Ugh... This is going downhill.

"Oh, wow, I've never seen an Explorer like that"

"Thanks. My grandfather had a whole bunch of old pocket watches too, my grandmother gave those to me. She knew I liked watches"

Where have I heard this before? From the guy standing in line at the cafe a few weeks ago when I said "Nice Planet Ocean" maybe? The He valve was exactly at 10, I bet that was a fake, too. And he still passed it as gen when I said "this is my rep Sub".

My fiance noticed me midsection gazing, bewilderment on my face, and like the good woman she is, she bailed me out "He's always noticing peoples watches, right honey?"

The helpful gentleman replied, "Oh, I understand, me too"

"Ok, thanks man, have a good one."

we walked down the isle. "That was fake babe."

"Honey, just because he works at Lowe's..."

"No, its not that. It wasn't even an Explorer."

And then we go about our day.

This is the watch he was wearing-

I was just sitting here at work, thinking how nice the Air-King looks, and figured i'd share the story. I have many uncomfortable watch watching stories, feel free to share yours too.

By the way, don't buy anything from replica master, I just used the first picture I could find.

[jfreeman420]

It's amazing how people go through so much trouble to concoct a fugazi story in order to give credit to the genuineness of their watch. Isn't it easier to say "it's a fake. I have a great connection for the best replicas you can buy".

I think someone who has a great connection for grey market goods is much more interesting than someone who got a watch as a gift. Maybe its just me.

[Nanuq]

Rats, I thought this thread was going to be about a vice and a BIG hammer and a Rolex.

[asf]

Hahaha. Great story

to play devil's advocate, it just barely could resemble the explorer I

[jdkno]

Just curious but was the only thing that lead you to believe the watch was fake is that he said it was an Explorer when it was an Air King, and the back story of his grandmother gifting it to him??

[PeteM]

Great story but did you get the batteries the caulk and the right filter? I hate cliff hangers!!

[TeeJay]

Awesome story, thanks for sharing

[redwatch]

My first thought when I saw this thread was that you found a rolex in the hardware store and were having a moral debate about whether or not you should keep it or return it to lost & found!

Great story just the same! It's kind of humorous when people just automatically assume you know nothing about watches and try to pull one over on you!

[kbh]

Actually, he wasn't totally wrong about it being an Explorer. Read on:

EXPLORER

The Rolex Explorer is along with the two tone Datejust one of the most easily recognizable of all Rolex watches. Its large black dial, triangular luminous marker at 12 and Arabic numeral quarters give this watch a very distinguished look and is the perfect blend of a sports and a dress watch.

The Origins of this masterpiece are in it's name. Originally designed for explorers, so it had a high visibility dial, an extra strong case, and upon request it could be lubricated with a special oil so it could withstand temperatures between -20C and +40C without changes in viscosity. Although it was widely acclaimed that this watch had been designed and made in honour of Edmund Hilary and Tenzing Norgay who were the first men to reach the summit of Everest on May 29 1953. Evidence suggests that this watch was indeed used on previous expeditions as Rolex registered the name in 1953.

The look of the Explorer is all about the dial, which is a mixture of a number of previously used styles. The large triangle at '12' was first used by the company on the mixed Roman and Arabic dial of the 1940's. The large Arabic numerals for the quarters and bars for the remainder are seen on many of the very first model cushion Oysters. Despite this some what mixed parentage, the Explorer dial has taken on an identity of its own and created a cult following and can now never be confused with any other. The first Explorers (6350 models) used the "big bubbleback 10-1/2" A296 movement. Most of the 6350 models that have been studied do not have the classic "skelette" (Mercedes) hands. Instead they have heavily luminized versions of the standard parallel hands of that period. While the sweep hand is very strange, it looks similar to the current hand having a large luminous insert.

Most of the early 6350 dials are also unusual in the fact that they are "honeycombed" textured and are signed "Officially certified Chronometer". As this model was replaced roughly a year after it was released it is difficult to know just how successful it was as in many was its predecessor (model 6150) has over shadowed it. The 6150 was distinguishable from the 6350 by being 2mm larger and was only available as a precision model. The 6150 was made until 1959 when it was replaced by the 6610 which looks identical but can be identified by its flatter back caused by using the new 1030 calibre movement. The dial of the 6610 is signed " Chronometer" The simplest method of recognizing any of the early Rolex Explorer's is by looking at the dial for their variations.

During these early years Rolex was unaware of the potential of this model. As a result the name was affixed to a number of watches, not easily recognizable as Explorers. There were two variations on the theme. The first was the "Air King Explorer" this was an Explorer bearing the model ref. 5500 but with an Explorer dial marked "Precision" rather than "Superlative Chronometer Officially Certified" The second variation are the "dress Explorers." These are standard Oyster Perpetuals in steel or gold with white or black non-Explorer dials but signed, "Explorer". Seen both with and without date these watches seem to have been predominately in the North American Market.

In 1963 the Explorer evolved again, with a new 1560 calibre movement it was renamed the 1016 and it became the longest running explorer from 1963 right upto 1989. The second version of the 1016 was really the second version of the 1560 calibre (now called 1570), because the major recognizable difference is the movement. The "hack" feature stops the hand when the winding crown is pulled out to the hand setting position. By stopping the hand at the "12" position, it is possible to synchronize your time with a known source. Simultaneously with the movement change Rolex introduced the New Oyster Bracelet. The bracelet was now machined out of solid stainless steel as opposed to the previously folded steel sheet links. In this revised form the Explorer continued through to 1989, when to the astonishment of Rolex retailers, it was removed from the Rolex catalogue. Six months later the new heavily revised version of the Explorer emerged.

The new Explorer bearing the model designation 14270, sported a new case, dial, movement, and glass. The hands and the name are the only thing carried over from the 1016. Thirteen years after Rolex first introduced the Sapphire crystal glass the Explorer was finally fitted with one. Under this new crystal the dial featured white gold skeleton markers with luminous tritium fillings: these replaced the previously painted markers. Under the dial was the very latest fast beat calibre 3000. These modifications brought the Explorer in line with all the other Rolex models and because the cosmetics of the new watch differed so much from that of the old one the price in the collectors market for the old one spiralled.

[P4GTR]

I see the title sparked all of your imaginations. Good!

LOL @ Pete

Just curious but was the only thing that lead you to believe the watch was fake is that he said it was an Explorer when it was an Air King, and the back story of his grandmother gifting it to him??

Sometimes you have to make a judgement call. I could be completely wrong. I am not ashamed to admit I watch profile.

[jdkno]

Sometimes you have to make a judgement call. I could be completely wrong. I am not ashamed to admit I watch profile.

I was just wondering because a friend of mine is an area GM at Home Depot. He has a gen Super Avenger with Diamond bezel, and a gen GMT II yellow gold and stainless. He is often roaming the floors at HD wearing an apron and helping customers when he has the time. While he has never disclosed his salary to me I would venture to say he is bringing in over $200K a year with bonuses included.

Also my uncle has 5 gen Rolex's, he loves watches but not to the level we do. He always notices watches and is always on the lookout for a new one but he would be hardpressed to tell you the specific name of any of his Rolex's. If it is a divers Rolex(Yachtmaster, Submariner, & Pepsi GMT) its a Sub to him, if its a non diver(Datejust & Day Date) to him its a Presidential.

Not doubting your assesment of the guy's watch just some food for thought.

[Ronin]

I complimented a guy last weekend wearing a Sea-Dweller. "Nice Sea-Dweller". He proceeded to tell me about all the oceans it has been in, and how it was only serviced ONCE in 13 years. Ohh, and how it survived his motorcycle accident...... 10 minutes later he finally noticed the Seiko Samurai I was wearing that day with no further discussion of diving.

Hmmmm.