I have only had 1 watch my entire life. Rolex Explorer 1016. Purchased at Pacex, Nha Trang, Vietnam 1969. Watch is the perfect size for me. Radioactive dial is in good shape. I glow now. It has only been cleaned 3 times in 45 years. My pal bought an Automatic Omega Seamaster. We sent home pearls, porcelains, stereos, and watches. I wear my watch 24/7.
Paid $175 at The Pacific Exchange. My pal paid $150 for an Automatic Omega Seamster that had a white face. It was an elegant watch at the time. The Pacific Exchange had a catalog that you could send home. Mikimoto Pearls, beautiful porcelains, Nikon, Cannon, Leica, and all kinds of stereo gear. Revox reel to reels galore.. I knew i was going over 1 year before i went. It was a plan
Great stuff. So you saved your moolah and invested it wisely.
$175 in 1969 would give you the same buying power today as $1,170. But alas, a good late 60s explorer will cost $10,000.
So you did very well... 😎