This watch has a somewhat checkered recent history as it was "lost" in transit for nearly a year eventually making it's way to my home and then me having to wait longer to finally take possession. All is well that ends well as they say!
The watch came from France and the courier company responsible for delivery ended up walking away from the claim using the excuse that they did not insure watches! The person I bought it from walked away from the deal saying that he had insured it with the company he always used (he deals in watches!) and it wasn't his problem. In the end I was left carrying the can and getting nowhere.
There was a signature for the parcel but the driver apparently never left the parcel (I was unaware of all this at the time as I was based overseas and back home fairly infrequently). After lengthy investigations involving criminal proceedings the watch was finally recovered and returned to me some time back.
In all that time I have kept it close but never got round to opening it as my tools were never nearer than 4000km away - until last week when I picked them up and had the first chance to inspect my purchase a bit closer.
I will let the images continue the story....

(....and a big thank you to Kim for his input)

 

Wow, that must have been a miserable year dealing with all of that, including what appeared to be a large financial loss. But that watch is fantastic!

 

Lovely watch! And a happy end after all as well.. Glad you got your watch!

 

That’s one of the best early 165024 out there.

Dibs



Edited to remove the (.)

 

Congratulations on recovering that great watch!

 

Glad it all worked out at the end. One of the nicest 165024-63s.

 

Fantastic Piece, huge congrats and wear in good health

 

Beautiful watch,compliments!

 

Thats a very short serial number. Service replacement?

 

Its an awesome watch worth all the pain you have taken in getting it

 

No I photoshopped the last two digits out!! All original

 

Thanks for all the positive comments - it caused a few (more) grey hairs but I'll take those any day

 

Wonderful 63 indeed

 

Very nice early example! Glad it ended well for you.

 

And time for my pet peeve
It’s a 165024-63
No “.” on the HF cases.

 

Wow, that's beautiful ! Happy the nightmare is over and the watch is finally on your wrist. Congrats !

 

Congrats that's a lovely piece.... so nice to hear a positive outcome...

 

Dogged determination, now enjoy.

 

What an absolute beauty and well done you for persevering

 

that is a gem!