Nanuq Posted April 25, 2008 Report Share Posted April 25, 2008 I found myself in a high-end watch shop on my last business trip. They had sparkly Rolexes, Omegas, Corums (Corii?), you name it. I was admiring a certain gold Bucherer chrono on a delectable leather strap. It was reasonably priced (cough cough) at $22,000. The salesman asked if I had a stylistic preference, while easing me over toward the cheap end of the counter. Perhaps due to my jeans, sneakers, and polar fleece windbreaker? I described my affection for dive watches, specifically round faced watches with black dials and, ideally, stainless steel construction. His nose wrinkled slightly, as if I'd released a foul stench into the room. He told me with evident disdain that his shop did not service that segment of the watch industry. I glanced over at the Rolex counter, but sadly, saw only a sea of jewel-encrusted dress watches. He did, to his credit, offer me a Bucherer brochure to take with me as I left (hint, hint). So I reached for it, and my sleeve slipped up a few inches. A certain chocolate dialed watch peeked out and the man was on it like flies on a dead salmon. He grabbed my wrist and turned the watch toward him, and his mouth fell open. Oh I love it when that happens. Another Mk-II Sea Dweller fan made, on the spot! It was a good trip. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greystash Posted April 25, 2008 Report Share Posted April 25, 2008 Nanuq - I love it when you post these stories. Never stop posting them. Oh yeah...and then what happend... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nanuq Posted April 25, 2008 Author Report Share Posted April 25, 2008 Then what happened? I mumbled something about... "oh, this old thing?" and then I went and got an ice cream. Yum!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greystash Posted April 25, 2008 Report Share Posted April 25, 2008 Without having to search through a dozen pages, mate how rare is that Chocolate dial? Did they make Choc Subs or just the Sd's? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nanuq Posted April 25, 2008 Author Report Share Posted April 25, 2008 It's pretty rare. Notwithstanding the numbers of old SDs that flooded and died, very few of them went "chocolate" from their exposure to UV light. This one's from 1971 so it's getting pretty old. I have heard of Subs going chocolate with age too... probably it's from a flaw in the manufacturing process but I kinda like it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
b16a2 Posted April 25, 2008 Report Share Posted April 25, 2008 I love these stories Nanuq! It's shameful to think that a watch can change a salesman's opinion of someone so quickly! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greystash Posted April 25, 2008 Report Share Posted April 25, 2008 Oh, I thought they we limited edition colored dials. You're saying they're the odd black dials that have turned brown? I didn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephane Posted April 25, 2008 Report Share Posted April 25, 2008 I too love these stories Nanuq. Funny guys these salesmen. They should know that a pair of jean can cost the price of watch by the way... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
perry563 Posted April 25, 2008 Report Share Posted April 25, 2008 Where in NJ were you? Thats where I live. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LordRasta Posted April 25, 2008 Report Share Posted April 25, 2008 I'm sorry you had to go to NJ. My parents live there and I went to North Bergen H.S. for a spell so I'm allowed to make Jersey jokes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
highoeyazmuhudee Posted April 25, 2008 Report Share Posted April 25, 2008 the cheapest jeans usually cost more than the cheapest dress pants in my experience ; ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freddy333 Posted April 25, 2008 Report Share Posted April 25, 2008 He grabbed my wrist and turned the watch toward him, and his mouth fell open. Oh I love it when that happens. Another Mk-II Sea Dweller fan made, on the spot! Love those stories, Nanuq. It is experiences like yours that make these watches so valuable. Due to its plain-jane mien, I often receive similar reactions with this. The initial (understandably) dismissive attitude when asked for the time, followed by that unmistakable deer-in-the-headlights double-take never fails to inspire Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tmg Posted April 25, 2008 Report Share Posted April 25, 2008 Great story Nanuq! Good sales folks don't judge people by their appearance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nanuq Posted April 25, 2008 Author Report Share Posted April 25, 2008 Later that week I was in Tourneau's looking at watches and the saleslady there knew her stuff. She oooooh'd and ahhhh'd over the SD (or was it my manly wrists?) and came *that* close to selling me an IWC minute repeater chrono... it was a lovely titanium thing but I think I've got enough watches. For now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alligoat Posted April 25, 2008 Report Share Posted April 25, 2008 Happy Birthday Nanuq- what are you now? Three? Like you say, the chocolate dials were seen on the 1665 and 1680- can't recall seeing them on the 5513. Exposure to UV and maybe the type of paint formula used. Kinda like the early Explorrer II dial that turned cream color- something in the paint. Of course Rolex would change out the dial if you didn't stop them! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent2 Posted April 26, 2008 Report Share Posted April 26, 2008 the seadweller is ok but whats the scoop on the bond beside it ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nanuq Posted April 26, 2008 Author Report Share Posted April 26, 2008 Ah, the Bond beside it is my trusty old 6536. THAT one has seen some tough duty. It was "born" the same month and year as me, so it's 50 today. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dizzy Posted April 26, 2008 Report Share Posted April 26, 2008 haha love these stories of how the salesperson is a jerk until the double red pops out! lol awesome! dizz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoJo35 Posted April 26, 2008 Report Share Posted April 26, 2008 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dluddy Posted April 26, 2008 Report Share Posted April 26, 2008 Happy Birthday Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Carl Posted April 26, 2008 Report Share Posted April 26, 2008 Sorry that you had to go to New Jersey from Alaska on your birthday. As my sons say, it's the only state where you are required to pay to leave. Kind of like, "why does divorce cost so much?". Because it's worth every penny. Carl Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest carlsbadrolex Posted April 26, 2008 Report Share Posted April 26, 2008 Outstanding story! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vlydog Posted April 26, 2008 Report Share Posted April 26, 2008 once you go brown you never go black. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nanuq Posted April 26, 2008 Author Report Share Posted April 26, 2008 Ah, thank you gents... it was a GREAT birthday! I got my beloved vintage Guild's frets replaced (finally) I got to have lunch with my son the Eagle Scout My daughter gave me an iPhone IT SNOWED THREE FEET TODAY!!!!!!!!! It just doesn't get any better than that! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AllergyDoc Posted April 26, 2008 Report Share Posted April 26, 2008 Ah, thank you gents... it was a GREAT birthday! I got my beloved vintage Guild's frets replaced (finally) I got to have lunch with my son the Eagle Scout My daughter gave me an iPhone IT SNOWED THREE FEET TODAY!!!!!!!!! It just doesn't get any better than that! That's good for a birthday, or any other day. I got to spend Sat. with my Eagle Scout and my soon-to-be Eagle in Monterey: A couple of clowns, but good guys. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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