“I bought the Rolex submariner, after seeing a James Bond movie, From Russia with Love.

At the time I was a student at the Zurich Polytechnic ( ETH ), and bought the watch at Rolex on the Bahnhofstrasse.

In 1973, I ordered the Rolex ……… from the same Rolex shop in Zurich. As I didn’t like the cyclops, I asked if I could have a plain screen.

As this was an unusual request, they had to ask the factory if it could be done.

When it was ready, I collected the watch which I have been wearing ever since.

It has never been opened, as I don’t believe to do maintenance when it does not need it.

It was 4 min a month fast when I bought it, and it is still the same today.

I have worn this watch from the day I bought it.”

I decided for now to just clean the watch externally. (Plexi polish, case and bracelet in the ultrasonic). The owner had purchased a new bracelet (93150) some years back, as the original folded link 9315 was pretty worn from daily wear. In time i will most likely give it a complete service. A few things to note…The chamfers on the lugs are very strong…….this is what an original 1680 ref sub case looks like before it is polished. The polishing removes the angles of the chamfers and makes them look more rounded. You can also see a slight yellowing of the hands (more yellow closer to the centre). This is caused by the oils from the movement being “drawn” to the hands via capillary action or from being stored face down. Also note the lack of the cyclops (date magnifier). According to the previous owner, he ordered it this way from his Authorized Dealer in Zurich.