Ash. Thanks for the history of the watch. I am a historian and know what a great debt we owe to the Royal Air Force not just British but us Americans to because they held off the German offensive. I am sure that you are very proud to have been part of that military organization. I salute you and all the other Royal Air Force for their service. I always loved the story of The Great Escape and the movie was very good as I am a big fan of Steve McQueen. You might consider doing a few episodes on him as he was a very sartorial dresser and owned quite a few nice wrist watches. Happy armed forces day. Cheers Ron 🇬🇧
Through the film, I know the story of the Great Escape, but you have beautifully retold it from a horological perspective. If you can make more content like this please. And you're right, the watch should have sold for much much more.
Fascinating story Ash! And indeed, I think this watch has sold for a bargain. I strive to be the kind of person who would spend such money on a watch like this as opposed to the many alternatives you can find at that price of incomparably lesser significance. A fascinating reference as well - 3525 - which I was not familiar with at all. Enjoyed this one a lot!
good story. thank you all for your service. my father was USN - stationed in Boston navy yard as a fireman. between his job as a fireman at - Winchester Arms - USN and later in our city - @ 62 years as a fireman, retiring as the fire chief in 1996 . - I have his old watches , one being a WALTHAM , us made outside Boston . where would we all be , without those kind of guys - ? what would the world have looked like .? be safe . good job ASH . ~ JDS/CT
Great story and watch...love your RAF tie and blazer lookin sharp Ash! I just traded a watch for a Revue thommen Airspeed chrono. Very plain but useful for timing things in my line of work. I will send pics later. James Dowling Mr. Rolex had written on this as well a few years ago. Enjoy your Summer! Starlight
A very important piece of history. I read the book by Paul Brickhill which told the story of the Great Escape. Now to see an unique wrist watch worn by one of the officers who took part in the escape plan is just plain fascinating to me. Thank you for sharing this story.
Outstanding story and detective work my dear Ash ! If you continue like this you may in fact give Mark Felton 's RUclips channel a run for his money ! BTW, I believe you're quite right to point out the folly of Paul Neuman's Rolex auction price and remember that that watch in the sixties was about $350 Canadian dollars and nobody wanted them then ! Tulip mania at it's extreme !
Fabulous video. You’re right. The history of this watch owned by Gerald outweighs the Cosmograph. Watches are all about making memories. Who knows, 100 years from now, Ash’s Rootbeer could be sold at auction with RUclips videos being shown as part of the history. Cool thought
I met sir douglous Bader on atleast 3 times im my life.such and amasing man.the real stories he told my are private .and as such a gentleman.i will never divulge. He was a very humble mand.and a insperation to me also a lot of peopld.thankyou sir for that
This is a great story , and I think 🤔 the piece went for a good price , as it will only increase in value . My grandad , Terry, was in a POW camp when he was 22. He escaped, with the help of the Polish resistance, it sounds a cliche , but he didn’t talk about it when he was alive . But I think 🤔 he just walked away from a line . He learnt to speak German in the camp ,and had shrapnel, I think in his legs . When I was a boy I seem to remember having a photo of him boxing 🥊 in the camp . Wish I still had it .
What a great video Ash about the Great escape. What a great watch to own and it should of sold for a lot more given its provenance. Also talking about style you had the king of cool himself Steve McQueen who starred in the film who was well ahead of is time regarding style. He was also a watch enthusiast who owned some iconic watches the Heuer Monaco before it was taken over by Tag to become Tag Heuer and a Hanart 417 ES Chronograph his most notable.
That's is true very often the recognition goes to unworthy individual or brand, based on wonder's of materialism showing off what is the opposite of a honoured hard worker successful wealthy person, or a traditional company. Thank you for your video
It interesting that there was only one actor who was actually a POW in WW2 in the film Great Escape. Donald Pleasense who’s bomber was shot down in 1943, and the first item the Nazi soldiers stole when they captured him, was his watch !
Grande orologio e....grande Steve , il mio attore preferito. Bel video , come sempre. Io purtroppo mi esprimo molto male in lingua inglese....comunque un cordiale saluto dall' Italia.
Great job commemorating a great watch, and a time in history! And one of my favorite movies!! All considered, this sold for a bargain!! Love the channel 👍🏼
Looking forward to this! :) A great watch and a classic Steve McQueen (among many others) movie, coupled with Ash in the woods looking sharp as always. Perfect timing as I'll be going to our local veterans charity shop later to drop off some items for them to sell. Always try and support them when I can. Thanks, Ash! God bless.
Two Norwegians and a Dutchman got away - it doesn’t surprise me. These guys would have had a hope in hell of passing themselves off to the civilian population as Germans. But English or Americans? Not so much…
Here are my thoughts about the overly rich who give huge amounts of money to by pieces of art and items: Do they do it because they cherish the history behind those items? or simply to collect them to flaunt ? or possibly as a way of investment? This watch has history and worth much more but Robert Gober's Three Urinals Estimate: $3,500,000 - $4,500,000 Lot Sold: $3,525,000????
Great resource: The Vintage Rolex Field Manual: An Essential Collectors Reference Guide. Superb 274 pages hardcover covering all vintage Rolex models and their use in military, sports, aviation and spaceflight !
Ash. Thanks for the history of the watch. I am a historian and know what a great debt we owe to the Royal Air Force not just British but us Americans to because they held off the German offensive. I am sure that you are very proud to have been part of that military organization. I salute you and all the other Royal Air Force for their service. I always loved the story of The Great Escape and the movie was very good as I am a big fan of Steve McQueen. You might consider doing a few episodes on him as he was a very sartorial dresser and owned quite a few nice wrist watches. Happy armed forces day. Cheers Ron 🇬🇧
Through the film, I know the story of the Great Escape, but you have beautifully retold it from a horological perspective. If you can make more content like this please.
And you're right, the watch should have sold for much much more.
Glad you enjoyed it!
Nice to see you wearing the colours 👍
Fascinating story Ash!
And indeed, I think this watch has sold for a bargain. I strive to be the kind of person who would spend such money on a watch like this as opposed to the many alternatives you can find at that price of incomparably lesser significance. A fascinating reference as well - 3525 - which I was not familiar with at all.
Enjoyed this one a lot!
Two of your most favorite things, Rolex and the RAF! Thanks for your service 🫡. Great movie btw.
good story. thank you all for your service. my father was USN - stationed in Boston navy yard as a fireman. between his job as a fireman at - Winchester Arms - USN and later in our city - @ 62 years as a fireman, retiring as the fire chief in 1996 . - I have his old watches , one being a WALTHAM , us made outside Boston . where would we all be , without those kind of guys - ? what would the world have looked like .? be safe . good job ASH . ~ JDS/CT
What a fantastic story. Thanks Ash for the interesting and valuable information that you always impart in your videos.
Great story and watch...love your RAF tie and blazer lookin sharp Ash! I just traded a watch for a Revue thommen Airspeed chrono. Very plain but useful for timing things in my line of work. I will send pics later. James Dowling Mr. Rolex had written on this as well a few years ago. Enjoy your Summer!
Starlight
A very important piece of history. I read the book by Paul Brickhill which told the story of the Great Escape. Now to see an unique wrist watch worn by one of the officers who took part in the escape plan is just plain fascinating to me. Thank you for sharing this story.
Outstanding story and detective work my dear Ash ! If you continue like this you may in fact give Mark Felton 's RUclips channel a run for his money ! BTW, I believe you're quite right to point out the folly of Paul Neuman's Rolex auction price and remember that that watch in the sixties was about $350 Canadian dollars and nobody wanted them then ! Tulip mania at it's extreme !
Im dutch i fully understand about tulip mania
A great bit of history and I really enjoyed watching the movie back the 70's as a young lad. Thanks for sharing the Rolex history Ash
Fabulous video. You’re right. The history of this watch owned by Gerald outweighs the Cosmograph. Watches are all about making memories. Who knows, 100 years from now, Ash’s Rootbeer could be sold at auction with RUclips videos being shown as part of the history. Cool thought
Great film! Steve McQueen is an idol both in film and sartorial elegance
Happy Saturday Ash! It's Friday night in California. Playing with watches and watching you...
I met sir douglous Bader on atleast 3 times im my life.such and amasing man.the real stories he told my are private .and as such a gentleman.i will never divulge. He was a very humble mand.and a insperation to me also a lot of peopld.thankyou sir for that
Epic story, well told. Thank you 👍🏼
This is a great story , and I think 🤔 the piece went for a good price , as it will only increase in value . My grandad , Terry, was in a POW camp when he was 22. He escaped, with the help of the Polish resistance, it sounds a cliche , but he didn’t talk about it when he was alive . But I think 🤔 he just walked away from a line . He learnt to speak German in the camp ,and had shrapnel, I think in his legs . When I was a boy I seem to remember having a photo of him boxing 🥊 in the camp . Wish I still had it .
Great story! Wonderful delivery!
What a great video Ash about the Great escape. What a great watch to own and it should of sold for a lot more given its provenance. Also talking about style you had the king of cool himself Steve McQueen who starred in the film who was well ahead of is time regarding style. He was also a watch enthusiast who owned some iconic watches the Heuer Monaco before it was taken over by Tag to become Tag Heuer and a Hanart 417 ES Chronograph his most notable.
That's is true very often the recognition goes to unworthy individual or brand, based on wonder's of materialism showing off what is the opposite of a honoured hard worker successful wealthy person, or a traditional company.
Thank you for your video
They should bring this back to size 42mm with a display back and a decorated movement.
Really enjoyed this Ash. Always look forward to watch talk!
It interesting that there was only one actor who was actually a POW in WW2 in the film Great Escape.
Donald Pleasense who’s bomber was shot down in 1943, and the first item the Nazi soldiers stole when they captured him, was his watch !
Excellent video Ash! Loved the story told and the history for Armed Forces Day.
It reminds me of the Tissot Telemeter, very nice watch, a great story and the telling of this story Ash.
Right you are! Far more valuable than the Newman Daytona.
Ash what a great story I enjoyed very much.
I agree that this watch would be a top seller for Rolex. They should release it in 36 and 39mm.
Enjoyed this greatly! Well done sir. well done
Good morning all.
What a great story ! Thank you
Grande orologio e....grande Steve , il mio attore preferito.
Bel video , come sempre.
Io purtroppo mi esprimo molto male in lingua inglese....comunque un cordiale saluto dall' Italia.
One of the best videos yet! Thanks.
Glad you liked it!
Great job commemorating a great watch, and a time in history! And one of my favorite movies!! All considered, this sold for a bargain!! Love the channel 👍🏼
Looking forward to this! :) A great watch and a classic Steve McQueen (among many others) movie, coupled with Ash in the woods looking sharp as always. Perfect timing as I'll be going to our local veterans charity shop later to drop off some items for them to sell. Always try and support them when I can. Thanks, Ash! God bless.
Armed Forces Day: And a timepiece to commemorate a piece of time. Let there be time for peace.
Here, here.
Excellent video!
Good Morning Ash, what a great Story told. Good to bei on the same side today. Kindest Regards from Bavaria, Harald
Good morning sir. Very much on the same side now!
Wonderful video... You did a great job on this video.
Thank you so much!
loved this one mate.
Hi Ash not much to say today !!! apart from WOW
Did you ever thought about making audio books? 😎
Two Norwegians and a Dutchman got away - it doesn’t surprise me. These guys would have had a hope in hell of passing themselves off to the civilian population as Germans. But English or Americans? Not so much…
My gold cuff links are jewellery in my book. Many of the watches that I wear are vintage from the 40s and 50s so not jewellery to me.
Here are my thoughts about the overly rich who give huge amounts of money to by pieces of art and items:
Do they do it because they cherish the history behind those items? or simply to collect them to flaunt ? or possibly as a way of investment? This watch has history and worth much more but Robert Gober's
Three Urinals
Estimate: $3,500,000 - $4,500,000
Lot Sold: $3,525,000????
It's obscene when you see these amounts of money being spent on such nonsense.
Great resource: The Vintage Rolex Field Manual: An Essential Collectors Reference Guide.
Superb 274 pages hardcover covering all vintage Rolex models and their use in military, sports, aviation and spaceflight !