We asked you to describe the condition of this salvaged Rolex Submariner – these are our 5 favourite responses
Zach BlassLast week, we published a story on a Rolex Submariner watch that was salvaged by Australian surfer Matt Cuddihy. He found the watch trapped beneath a rock while snorkelling.
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When we here at Time+Tide were pushing around the idea of publishing a story on Cuddihy’s find, we could not help but make jokes about the condition of the watch and how a hypothetical watch vendor would try to sell it to a customer with terms like “barnacle bezel” or “rust-down crown”. With vintage watches continuing to be red hot in the marketplace, sometimes opportunistic sellers try to romanticise the patina seen on their inventory. Sometimes the descriptions of “tropical” or “unpolished” are apt and correct, but other times it is fair to say these sellers are reaching in their descriptions of their vintage watches – mistaking damage for appropriate patina. So well aware of the fact our audience has a sharp sense of humour, we wanted to bring you all in on the fun – with a challenge posted on our Instagram (embedded above and pictured below)
And you all did not hold back, with, at least to date, 272 comments rising to the challenge. Now, we have decided to share five of our favourites.
#5: Mock auction lot descriptions
Auction cataloguers are tasked with describing lots in a fashion that sets the stage as to where the watch has been, the context of its creation, and how it could be a good fit for the bidder. These texts are often very romantic and descriptive and both @tio_och_tio and @chronomatopeia hilariously captured that tone.
#4: Fresh to market
“Fresh to market” is a term that describes a watch that has found itself up for sale for the first time. It is also more commonly used to describe food that has gone directly from source to the table/counter it is being sold. Great word play @horlogeek!
#3: BARNacle FIND
“Barn finds” are watches that are found, typically in a flea market, for prices well below their market value – usually due to the fact the less horologically savvy seller has no idea what of they have in their hands. Yet another great example of word play @awkwardhorology, blending BARN into Barnacle.
#2: Sub-Marinated
This one is self explanatory, and very funny. @harurude gets the trophy from Andrew.
#1: REEF-urbished
The fan-favourite, however, appeared to be the dad-joke of the comment section courtesy of @Jake.bigwood. Well played Jake, well played.