A Rolex Submariner Heirloom

If you hang around the Internet watch world long enough, chances are you’ll come across a thread or two where some lucky person has received a valuable timekeeping heirloom. Who knows, maybe a few of you are that lucky person. Although it makes me wish my father or grandfather were hobbyist divers who liked nice watches, I love hearing these stories.

Not long ago, a Redditor from /r/watches, Reddit’s watch community page, messaged me with some questions about his Rolex. After a couple of messages, he sent me pictures of his Mark III Maxi dial Submariner reference 5513 passed down from his grandfather and father. It’s an absolutely gorgeous watch that has obviously been used exactly how a tool watch should be used. As long as anonymity (let’s call him John) was maintained, he agreed to tell the story of his family’s Submariner.

You can see where the Mark III Maxi gets its “Lollipop” nickname — look at those plots!

John’s grandfather was a leading anesthesiologist in Europe in the 1970s and 80s, and took on a number of trainees in his day. One trainee, knowing his teacher was a diver with a penchant for watches, decided to thank John’s grandfather with a Rolex Submariner. It was quite the gift at the time, even though Subs were a fraction of today’s retail (under $1,000!).

Normally outfitted with his Omega Seamaster 120, John’s grandfather was excited to test out his new diving mate. As (bad) luck would have hit, on his very first dive with the Submariner, a bracelet pin came loose, and the Sub was swept from his wrist. Not long after, while letting the waves slowly bring him to shore, John’s grandfather braced for the current by reaching into the sand. If watch gods ever existed, it was on this day, because in the sand, right where his hand landed laid the rogue Submariner. You can be sure he never let something like that happen again.

John’s grandfather enjoyed the watch for some years longer; however, he passed away at far too young an age. Both the Sub and the Seamaster were passed on to John’s father (John Sr.), who wasn’t much into watches. John Sr. kept the Rolex and let his son enjoy the Seamaster, but for many years, both old divers saw little action – far away from their calling in the sea.

Over a decade after John’s grandfather’s passing, John and his father were on vacation, and put their divers to the test. Unfortunately, the Seamaster, having gone un-serviced for a long time, could no longer master the sea, and filled with water. It may have been a terrible idea to bring them into the water, but somehow, the Rolex survived.

Gotta love that Superdome!

Now without a watch, John begged his father for the Submariner. Acquiescing to his son’s pleading, John Sr. handed over the Rolex. It took many years, but eventually the Submariner properly fit John’s wrist, and has become a fixture ever since. To no one’s surprise, John will pass this watch down to his children, in hopes they will continue the tradition.

He’s incredibly proud of his 5513, and sometime this year, John will provide the watch with its first service in several decades. One of his questions to me was regarding what a service should entail. And before any of you freak out, I obviously told him to only service the movement. He’s now well aware of the current market value, and how keeping it as original as possible preserves said value.

Hearing John’s story makes me think about my own collection, and what I might someday pass down. Searching for the perfect vintage watches, watches that carry other people’s stories, is a lot of fun. However, there’s a lot to be said about finding an unworn watch you love, holding onto it until you can hold no longer, and passing down to a loved one.

If any of you have an heirloom watch story, please share in the comments.

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