Emotionally difficult situation inheriting a Rolex, just want to share this with the

[Patekfinder]

Hey guys, just want to share this with the group as I’ve kept it inside and feel like I need to share and get this off my chest with people who I believe will understand.

A few years ago I inherited a Rolex Oysterquartz from the 1980s from my grandfather who passed away. Unfortunately the oysterquartz was the only watch I inherited from him, and I wore it everyday over my other watches (like a 5711) but it was always grossly inaccurate, sometimes just stopping or other times running 6 hours fast per day. I could not rely on the watch and just wore it for sentimental purposes, but used my phone for timekeeping. It was literally unwearable and I sent it to RSC, after multiple attempts by Rolex to repair it, they couldn’t, said it required a new movement which was no longer available, so I basically had a paperweight. Rolliworks also couldn’t repair.

I wish it was a mechanical Rolex and not the Oysterquartz, which being quartz with unfixable issues really diminished the sentimental value for me. Seeing the watch almost made me mad that my grandfather bought a damn Oysterquartz and not any other mechanical watch that could have been an heirloom for generations! So after much consideration, I decided to sell the watch in its current non working condition and European Watch Company bought it for about $5,000 from me, which I feel was a good value, and it was important to me to take that money and use it for something important that my grandfather would have appreciated/shpported rather than just buy another watch, so I used the $5,000 to fund my IRA account for the year, which I know he would have liked.

Anyways, I’ve kept this inside and whenever I see someone post a watch on here that they inherited from their dad or grandpa, it makes me feel sad about my own situation inheriting a Rolex, but I do believe it was the right decision to sell and my grandfather would have supported the sale and the use of the $5k for an important thing like an IRA.

Just wanted to share this with everyone. Thanks for letting me share and reading this and get it off my chest.


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[BBQ BOY]

Nothing wrong with that. You were smart with the money.

[corvax]

wasn't it possible to buy another movement and/or parts to replace the insides? I know it wouldn't be 100% original and would probably cost more money but at least it was still "his watch".

[Patekfinder]

Originally Posted by corvax

wasn't it possible to buy another movement and/or parts to replace the insides? I know it wouldn't be 100% original and would probably cost more money but at least it was still "his watch".

According to RSC and Rolliworks, it wasn’t possible. I’m sure I could have bought another oysterquartz and just used the movement as a donor, but I didn’t. It was also before I knew about TRF and so I’m sure there was a creative solution that could have happened, but I was none the wiser at the time.

Either way, this was a few years ago but kept it bottled up inside, feeling a bit of regret, and just wanted to get this off my chest.


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[ikincooper]

Sounds very much like your Grandfather would be pleased with your decision. Not have you made memories with the watch that you will hopefully always remember but your retirement should benefit too.

Try and be happy with what you’ve gained


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[Cru Jones]

Considering OQs were produced until the early 2000s, I’m surprised by RSC’s lack of support.

[JasoninDenver]

I am sure your grandfather would have approved.

[Kevin of Larchmont]

You wore that Oysterquartz until it couldn’t be worn, your grandfather would be proud of you for that. Then you did something perfectly rational with the proceeds.

Well done.

[DVR4]

I inherited a two tone datejust (might just be a date) from my father.
He bought it for next to nothing (under $300 iirc) new in the 60's.
When it made it's way to me it was in pretty rough shape.
I sent it to the RSC and spent over $5000 which included a new band.
He would have never supported spending that sum to restore that watch. However, it wasn't too sentimental to him. It was very sentimental to me.
If I had it to do over, I would send it to a restoration specialist in order to retain the older dial and hands which I think were replaced in my case.
I don't care for gold and never wear it. Perhaps I should.

He gifted me a new SS datejust when I turned 21. It is a jubilee, fluted, blue dial and I love it. I daily a SS sub no date. Which has significant sentimental value to me.

Now I'm on the waiting list for pepsi and batman gmt's.

[piratfisk]

Originally Posted by Kevin of Larchmont

You wore that Oysterquartz until it couldn’t be worn, your grandfather would be proud of you for that. Then you did something perfectly rational with the proceeds.

Well done.

I agree with Kevin, OP. You continued to use your heirloom until it was too far gone. With the proceeds, you can, if you so choose, to get a new watch "in honor of" your grandfather & pass that down.

[ExplorerI]

Those old quartz watches of any brand are almost impossible to keep serviced.

[brandrea]

Not judging your decision, but I personally would have kept it working or not. I wish I had something, anything to remember my grandfather by.

Sorry to hear about your grandfather.

[EEpro]

You did the right thing. He'd be proud just knowing you cared that much.

[Harmon Rabb]

When I graduated my sister gave me my late father’s Omega Constellation with a quartz movement. It had not been used for 20 years or so. I had Omega repair the watch for more than it was worth at the time twice. Almost lost it twice during the year as I had it in my possession.

I was impressed that Omega could repair my father’s old watch at the time. I also serviced my grandfathers Omega Constellation and another Omega Suverän that are well worn with a damaged dial. Just had the movement serviced.

With that said. You need to draw a line somewhere. I don’t use any of those watches much. They will be found in a drawer at some point. Worth next to nothing for someone.

[Robf52]

Originally Posted by EEpro

You did the right thing. He'd be proud just knowing you cared that much.

This.

[mike morris]

best way just buy used movement from this reference

[Ballzzz]

You did the smart thing with the info you had, with that said I have been seeing support from RSC on these as recent as a few months ago.

[jimcameron]

Originally Posted by JasoninDenver

I am sure your grandfather would have approved.

I agree 100%

[S’portEye]

No judgement here. Well thought out and executed. Sorry you could not get the watch to work.

[Jackie Daytona]

You did what was best. We love to associate things with loved ones and be sentimental as people, but ultimately that heirloom worked a bit differently on that end. No reason to hold on to objects that don’t serve a purpose fully for sentimental reasons alone.

[marmite2005]

You have done something very worth while for you and your families future with your grandfathers hard earned monies. All he would have wanted is for you and family to benefit from his heirloom. You did the right thing.

[KatGirl]

You are a loving sensitive guy. That’s what I got from your story, and all that really matters. Thanks for sharing your feelings.

Kat


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[Rollei35]

I can hardly believe a quartz watch from 1980's is still worth $5000.
Take the money and run.
There is nothing sentimental there.

[JTL31]

Originally Posted by EEpro

You did the right thing. He'd be proud just knowing you cared that much.

Originally Posted by KatGirl

You are a loving sensitive guy. That’s what I got from your story, and all that really matters. Thanks for sharing your feelings.

Kat

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+1.
Even with the best intentions items bequeathed might not be long lasting. What is, however, are the precious memories of time spent together and the relationships formed. After all, that’s why your grandfather left you something. Whatever you choose to do with the money now will be something you’ll still remember him by.

[t65tampa]

Originally Posted by Cru Jones

Considering OQs were produced until the early 2000s, I’m surprised by RSC’s lack of support.

I'm surprised the RSC didn't have the parts/resources to replace the movement. That's really important news for me. Would keep me from buying another OQ if I'm going to have a hard time keeping it running properly. The problem with those quartz movements is that when the module goes bad, it goes bad and replacement is only realistic option.

To the original poster, don't feel bad. Your grandfather would never want a gift like that to turn into a white elephant. You did the right thing.

-Dean

[Milkshake]

European Watch paid you 5k for an unfixable oyster quartz? I’m finding that impossible to believe.

[Bill2e]

You did the best you could have done at the time with the information and resources available.

Your Grandfather would be proud and if anything like mine would think it silly to stress about a watch.

[Rollei35]

Originally Posted by Milkshake

European Watch paid you 5k for an unfixable oyster quartz? I’m finding that impossible to believe.

that's exactly what I thought and meant in the other post. This thing is not even worth $500.

[omar10213245]

Originally Posted by Patekfinder

Hey guys, just want to share this with the group as I’ve kept it inside and feel like I need to share and get this off my chest with people who I believe will understand.

A few years ago I inherited a Rolex Oysterquartz from the 1980s from my grandfather who passed away. Unfortunately the oysterquartz was the only watch I inherited from him, and I wore it everyday over my other watches (like a 5711) but it was always grossly inaccurate, sometimes just stopping or other times running 6 hours fast per day. I could not rely on the watch and just wore it for sentimental purposes, but used my phone for timekeeping. It was literally unwearable and I sent it to RSC, after multiple attempts by Rolex to repair it, they couldn’t, said it required a new movement which was no longer available, so I basically had a paperweight. Rolliworks also couldn’t repair.

I wish it was a mechanical Rolex and not the Oysterquartz, which being quartz with unfixable issues really diminished the sentimental value for me. Seeing the watch almost made me mad that my grandfather bought a damn Oysterquartz and not any other mechanical watch that could have been an heirloom for generations! So after much consideration, I decided to sell the watch in its current non working condition and European Watch Company bought it for about $5,000 from me, which I feel was a good value, and it was important to me to take that money and use it for something important that my grandfather would have appreciated/shpported rather than just buy another watch, so I used the $5,000 to fund my IRA account for the year, which I know he would have liked.

Anyways, I’ve kept this inside and whenever I see someone post a watch on here that they inherited from their dad or grandpa, it makes me feel sad about my own situation inheriting a Rolex, but I do believe it was the right decision to sell and my grandfather would have supported the sale and the use of the $5k for an important thing like an IRA.

Just wanted to share this with everyone. Thanks for letting me share and reading this and get it off my chest.


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no doubt your gramps is smiling down on you for making such a wise decision. heck, he'd probably be annoyed if you just let it sit in your sock drawer, doing nothing for you.

[espanol]

Originally Posted by Milkshake

European Watch paid you 5k for an unfixable oyster quartz? I’m finding that impossible to believe.

Also surprised by this.