🥇 BANNER The Find of a Lifetime: Found! Ladies Diamond Rolex Watch

[detectahead]

Hi all! Went to one of my hunting spots for a little enjoyment of our favorite hobby. A misty fog was hanging over the river like a blanket in the early morn. This was usual because of the coldness of the water and believe me you knew it recovering your first target. I was getting the norm, small pieces of foil, the wings of pull tabs, balls of aluminum and can tops. I was using my Tesoro Bandido U Max II with discrimination set at 2. Of course every sound is sought after until found. There are outcroppings of rocks in the river that act as catch areas for "goodies". As I was making my way through the course of rocks I find many a treasure just by "eyeballing". Knives, sunglasses, cameras, watches, GoPros and even rings on occasion. Any area where I can put the coil in between the rocks, even at an angle I do. I got a good strong signal at one these spots and started to dig. The water was already a foot deep and by the time I got the target another foot through gravel, rock and sand. I didn't think much of it at first just another watch. It appeared like one of those cheap Wally watches for young girls with a circle of diamonds around the dial. My vision is poor up close like anyone else my age and I need reading glasses. "Just another watch" and put it in my junk side of my bag. I continued on for 2 more hours with not much more to show for my efforts except some sunglasses. I returned to the car and started to unload and take off my gear. My glasses were laying in the console so I put them on and pulled the watch out. Rolex stood out right away with the familiar crown above. I thinking, "No way!" I looked it over closer, oyster perpetual, Rolex all over the band! I couldn't contain myself started doing the happy dance with a few fist jabs for never giving up! I've always thought that one of these days I was gonna find something good!
I took it to a reputable diamond and watch dealer here in my area. Although there was some damaged due to the length of time in the drink I had all repairs done then a certified appraisal.
Appraisal Value: $9,500
Over 3.5 total carrot wt
Diamond color: H
Clarity: VSI

My wife and I are still not sure if we will sell or keep it. Of course you know what she wants to do! Lol! It does fit her perfect!

Thanks everyone for looking and I hope you make your find of a lifetime!

Detectahead

 

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[Higgy]

It's a once in a lifetime find for any of us. Banner!

 

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[T8R-Chip]

Awesome !!! I VOTED FOR BANNER !!!

 

[lookindown]

You have to click on the little red "nominate banner" icon on the top right of the post.

 

[Brother Al]

This watch should be on the banner.

You got my vote!

 

[bluediamounds 55]

great find banner vote is in

 

[leprechaun]

Awesome find for sure, on my list to find.

 

[frogmaster-riviera]

I think when people started saying FAKE that a lot of viewers took for granted that it was and went away and didn't vote. This is a $10,000 find and about as rare as it gets. If there was never any question of it's authenticity (like there shouldn't have been) when Detectahead said it was real then it would be up there. It will be a shame if it doesn't make it.... Cmon Mods..... We all know it should be up there. His post kinda of got hijacked and it's not fair. Hopefully you can make an exception here and do the right thing....

More then that, the find as been published in the Beach & shallow water section "only". It has happened to me in the past, people in this section are not used to vote like the one in the "today's find" section.

It will take more time I suppose, but I'm sure TH and Jeff of PA will take this into consideration.

Last thing :

- Story of the find may appear to be a little "short"
- Over 3 or 4 threads have been opened for the same find... why? If I was an admin of the site, which thread will be selected for the banner?

This observations are personal. I also have to apologies concerning the FAKE report. On the very first picture, the quality was bad and it was clearly a fake Rolex. It appears now to be a real one... just the value appears "low".

Anyway it's a lifetime find for sure, banner will come for sure but could have come quicker if there wasn't so many thread opened and the good pictures have been post from Day 1.

FM

 

[slider66]

Beautiful find! Congrats..... you got to love it! What a great hobby.

 

[lookindown]

More then that, the find as been published in the Beach & shallow water section "only". It has happened to me in the past, people in this section are not used to vote like the one in the "today's find" section.

It will take more time I suppose, but I'm sure TH and Jeff of PA will take this into consideration.

Last thing :

- Story of the find may appear to be a little "short"
- Over 3 or 4 threads have been opened for the same find... why? If I was an admin of the site, which thread will be selected for the banner?

This observations are personal. I also have to apologies concerning the FAKE report. On the very first picture, the quality was bad and it was clearly a fake Rolex. It appears now to be a real one... just the value appears "low".

Anyway it's a lifetime find for sure, banner will come for sure but could have come quicker if there wasn't so many thread opened and the good pictures have been post from Day 1.

FM

Yeah, I believe you are right...its hard to get enough votes on the Beach And Shallow Water forum...I don't think the separate threads hurt because they don't pick a thread for banner, just the find...there is much debate over whether a find should make banner or not...if you make it that's great...if you don't you still made a great find...not making the banner shouldn't take away any value or importance from your find...its just a bonus if you make it.

 

[jeff of pa]

nice find ! When did you Find This ?

 

[jeff of pa]

Congrats on Earning Banner !
Next time please Don't wait 2 Months to post your finds

 

[Erik in NJ]

Nice find, nice watch, and congrats on making the Banner!

No attempt at finding the owner when it would seem such an easy thing to do with the serial number and Rolex database?

 

[lookindown]

Well alright...congrats on the banner.

 

[lookindown]

Nice find, nice watch, and congrats on making the Banner!

No attempt at finding the owner when it would seem such an easy thing to do with the serial number and Rolex database?

Only if it was reported stolen...you cant just get the owners name...and even if you could, what if the original owner sold it? You would have the name of the original owner not the person that lost it.

 

[Erik in NJ]

Only if it was reported stolen...you cant just get the owners name...and even if you could, what if the original owner sold it? You would have the name of the original owner not the person that lost it.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but it seems that Rolex should be able to contact the currently registered owner.

Here's a "case study" in doing a return of lost or stolen valuables:

http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/honorable-mention/468720-stolen-jewelry-found-returned.html

 

[ANTIQUARIAN]

The person who appraised the watch is G.I.A certified with over 50 yrs experience. So I think he's seen a few Rolexes! This is also a certified Rolex dealer.
The appraisal pictured has obvious areas blocked out. Enough info to show that "Yes!" There are 3 numbers. One you have to take off the band to see it at 6 o'clock. The other 2 are in the guts. When you buy a Rolex from an approved dealer they have the numbers but Rolex itself doesn't care who you are. The numbers are for the watch not the person who bought it. When you insure it the ins co. wants the #'s. It's the name on the policy with the #'s that gets the payoff. This particular Rolex came out from 1980-81. There's no telling how long this watch has been sitting in gravel,stone,dirt and water, probably years! I'm sure the ins has paid off!
I know I have invested a few dollars to get it at this appraisal. The oyster perpetual movement, the black diamond face. These were moisture damaged. The stem also replaced. Next are the hands and sweep. They work for now but also have moisture damage. I'm up to almost a thousand on work done and parts replaced. The bezel is an aftermarket bezel approved by Rolex (diamonds included). Rolex specializes in watches not diamonds. This is a custom order adding the diamond bezel and black diamond face. The tester is at 12 and 6. I found the watch in early May

Kudos to you for making the effort and spending the money necessary to get this piece authenticated and restored detectahead!
There are always going to be nay sayers out there who doubt the validity of a find, but the only one who truly knows for sure what you've got is the guy who found it!
Congratulations on your Rolex Watch find and on making the BANNER my friend!
Dave

 

[ARC]

Yes sir that watch sure fooled all you experts on real or fake ...It's real

The GOOD fakes of today fool ALL experts on appearance alone.

The only true way to tell is to open it up.

I found one once... I still have it... very similar to this with a lot more diamonds and in 18k white gold.
As soon as I hit the diamonds with tester I knew it was a fake.

When I showed the Rolex dealer the watch he said it was the best fake he had ever seen.

If I hand it to you... you cannot tell.
Etched glass
Serials...
Even real swiss movement... just not Rolex's...
Everything was right...
Cept the stones.

Showed it to a "clutz" one day... he dropped it on hard concrete and chipped the sapphire crystal.
Actually it was a Terrazzo floor.

The Rolex dealer said he wished he could buy it for a reference piece but said thst he could loose his Authorized Rolex Dealers dealio by doing so.
He told me fakes exist that are very expensive...
But not real.

 

[MD-Mainiac]

I think some of you folks need to get off the back of the OP, he went out of his way to authenticate the watch. If he doesn't choose to try and return it, that is his business.
I wouldn't even think of trying to return it.

Do you try to return every coin, ring, etc.. that you find?

The whole purpose of metal detecting is to find stuff. He found a treasure worth a lot of money. Kudos to him...

To the OP, ignore all the comments about it being a fake or condemning you for not spending your time or money to try and return it. You found it, it's yours, enjoy it. to the rest. just tell them to foad.

 

[ARC]

I think some of you folks need to get off the back of the OP, he went out of his way to authenticate the watch. If he doesn't choose to try and return it, that is his business.
I wouldn't even think of trying to return it.

Do you try to return every coin, ring, etc.. that you find?

The whole purpose of metal detecting is to find stuff. He found a treasure worth a lot of money. Kudos to him...

To the OP, ignore all the comments about it being a fake or condemning you for not spending your time or money to try and return it. You found it, it's yours, enjoy it. to the rest. just tell them to foad.

I was not referring to the watch here as authenticate or not... just sharing experience.
This watch has obviously "checked out".
And has my banner vote as well.

P.S. Detecthead... great score.

 

[ARC]

Also... DetectorHead....
I have been meaning to add this to your OP statement...

"My wife and I are still not sure if we will sell or keep it. Of course you know what she wants to do! Lol! It does fit her perfect!"

She should keep it...
Consider this an investment...
It will only "go up" in value.

Get in a pinch... walk in to Rolie dealio and cash out on spot.