A Rolex was lying on the seabed – this is what it looks like after the restoration

In the watch world, it may be the best story of the year. In the summer, Henry Zwartz, an Australian journalist, reported in the watch magazine “” about a remarkable chance find by professional surfer Matt Cuddihy. While picking up trash on the ocean floor, the athlete discovered a salt-encrusted Rolex (find out more here). He shared his loot on social networks. He even found the man who had lost her years before.

Ric Outtrim, that’s the name of the graying gentleman, had read the first report about the watch and contacted the finder via the magazine, who in the meantime shared pictures of the Rolex Submariner, reference 5513, on his Instagram profile and couldn’t believe that it was Clock is still ticking.

The Rolex was thought lost for four years

Because Ric knew what was engraved on the caseback and what the watch’s serial number was, he was able to convince Matt that he was the watch’s owner. The surfer handed the watch to Ric, who couldn’t believe his luck. It was never about the money.

In 1971, Ric’s father gave him the watch as a reward for sporting success. Over the years, he took his everyday watch with him to Mont Blanc, on sailing trips and many other adventures. Even a whole year in one The Rolex survived the septic tank after it fell out of Ric’s jacket during cleaning work and had to remain there until the next time the pit was cleaned. The only loss: the stainless steel bracelet was lost, and from then on the Submariner was worn on fabric.

It was only when surfing that the material, especially the new tape, reached its limits. In 2019, Ric lost the watch off the Australian coast. It took him a long time to come to terms with the painful loss.

Although Ric was delighted to finally have his watch back, he quickly got rid of it. Because in principle it still worked, but for many years Seabed had the case, glass and bracelet severely clogged. So he contacted Rolex’s Australian branch and sent it in for restoration.

Restoration to quasi-new goods

Now, about six months later, “Fratello” shows the result. At the request of its owner, Rolex was supposed to completely overhaul the watch and send along the replaced parts. No sooner said than done: the Rolex Submariner came back to him completely renovated, and there was even an original stainless steel bracelet included.

Ric Outtrim tells “Fratello” that apparently only a single watchmaker was entrusted with his Rolex. He explains: “I would like to thank this watchmaker because it is clear how much love and effort went into this project. We had lunch with the Rolex team in Brisbane. She had been missing for so long that I “I somehow reconciled myself with the feeling of deep loss. I never thought it would come back to me, but Rolex does amazing work. The people there were so nice to me. They gave the watch so much attention.”

But anyone who thinks that the watch will now be locked in a safe is wrong. Since Ric can now wear his Rolex again as usual, it will accompany him every day again. Probably also for surfing and swimming, preferably together with Matt Cuddihy, who saved the watch and is now a friend of Ric. However, the hobby cleaner has one condition, he explained to “Fratello”: “I told Ric that I don’t want to see the watch in my aquatic waste collection anymore!”