(Sorry for the potato quality)
I know it’s just the pool right now, but had my Sub in the pool with me while teaching the confined water portion of a scuba class. Turns out that bezel comes in very handy for tracking the timed skills the students have to accomplish
Just scored a new Sub on a walk-in, immediately had to take it on water with me
I work in defense maritime testing and evaluation so this will be happening often.
JLC Master Control Classic: for classier, more formal occasions
Omega Seamaster AT 150 and Rolex Sub Date: my every occasion (including diving) watches
Tudor FXD GMT: the work/beater watch (Also including diving)
I really wanted to stop at a trifecta but I couldn’t resist the Rolex Sub.
Order of acquisition: Omega (2016), Tudor (2025), JLC and Rolex (2026, within 48 hours of each other)
My first JLC to fill the dress watch role in my collection, as the rest are all divers of some variation. I wanted something with a little more class and artistry to it and after some research the watchmaker’s watchmaker won out.
I was very surprised to find one of these still available at a boutique near me. I’m not sure why it’s a limited run of 500 but one of these is mine now and I’m thrilled with it. I literally feel like I’m wearing mechanical art on my wrist when I put it on.
Walked in to a boutique in a high-volume area asking what my chances were of getting a No-Date sub. I had a slight preference to it because it looks cleaner to me. I’m a first time Rolex buyer with no purchase history and had never been to this boutique before.
They were very respectful and accommodating, but I got the usual “Oooh, that’s a hard one to get, but we’ll set you up with our rep and he’ll put you on the list.” as expected. As I was giving my info for the list, I started chatting with him, mentioned that I spend a lot of time underwater and have a habit of actually diving my watches, when he suddenly asked me “What do you have against the Sub Date?”
I replied, “Nothing, really, I just think the No Date looks cleaner, but I honestly like the Date version too.” And that’s when he hit me with “I have one right now.”
Long story short, about 20-30 minutes later I left the boutique as the proud owner of this brand new Submariner. To say I was and am floored is a total understatement, especially hearing about, reading about, and somewhat experiencing the (in)famous Rolex waitlist game.
This was the third boutique I’d gone to since deciding I wanted to get a Sub. The first two I got the expected “We’ll put you on a list, but it could be years” reply, and varying levels of warmth as a walk-in with no purchase history, but I generally got the feeling they weren’t interested in selling me a watch.
At this location however, they treated me with respect, gave outstanding customer service, I had a 10/10 boutique experience from start to finish, and incredibly, I walked out with a watch I wanted.
I’m making this post because it’s such a different experience from the usual waitlist or “Got the call!” posts I see. I know the odds of this happening were and are crazy. I didn’t think it was possible. I still can’t believe it. And I can’t wait to take this thing to sea.