I have always been keen on watches so for my 18th Birthday my father bought me a Omega Seamaster Comsic 2000 - love the watch and still own it, but it was not my hearts desire.
However whilst on holiday is Spain in 1981 I was approached by a bloke in a local market - who offered me a very beaten up DJ (I was 21). OMG I thought, some poor bugger has lost this and its my chance to get a cheap Rolex (no moroles then). So I emptied my wallet of what money I had, borrowed some cash from my girlfriend (now my wife of 24 years - she has suffered as well) and bought the DJ - a 21 year old with a TuTone, Blue dial DJ - how cool was I. I enjoyed showing it off and "bigging it up" until so one asked me if it was "real" - what do mean I said of course it was real - however the doubt had been cast so I finally went to an AD, who informed me that it was in fact a fake - a very good fake, but a fake all the same.
Crest fallen I decided I HAD to get a real one - so 6 months later having sold the fake (for more money that I paid
) I met up with a dealer in London to buy by first secondhand genuine Rolex.
I when to his house and he opended his Cartier brief case of watches - what do you want he asked. I looked at the case and said "what to you have for around £350". He then proceeded to bring out an old 1680 (with red writting), and old Explorer 2 with Orange hands, and a 6 month old matte dial 16750 GMT with black bezel. He also had an old SD and a Daytona (amongst some vintage), however at around £450 they were outside my price range. The sub looked a bit dated, as the 16800 had just come out, the explorer was just odd! so I bought the GMT for a princely sum of £320.
Over the years I had accquired a number of watches including a 16800 and 16753 (still got) when I decided I really fancied a watch from a hightly rated new designed Franck Muller (2 years older than me). Blowers had a Casablanca (the only model I could afford), so in 1999 I PX'ed my old GMT for a very low serial number Casablanca - which I still have and enjoy.
I still missed the GMT, so a couple of years back I managed to get a 1979 16750 replacement. The dial was shot so I had the dial refurbished - mistake!! however thanks to VRF including Mike W and Steve M and a fellow in Germany, the watch has been fully restored to it s former glory. A proper keeper this time.
It will never replace my original GMT, however I have at least found some peace.
Andy
