Worn Stories: Mark Sweeney | Lazarus House
Worn Stories: Mark Sweeney
For Mark Sweeney, watches have never been just about timekeeping. His journey started on the golf course as a young caddy—where the end of each round revealed something that would imprint on him for life. “At the 18th hole, you'd see them reach into the golf bag and pull out their two-tone Datejust. It was almost ceremonial,” Mark recalls. “I didn’t know it was a Rolex at the time. I just saw the gold, the steel... and I knew it meant something.”
Today, after owning hundreds—if not thousands—of watches, one stands above the rest: the Rolex Day-Date Tridor. A rare trifecta of yellow, white, and rose gold, the Tridor is a reference that rarely appears in the wild. “I’ve never seen another one on someone else’s wrist,” Mark admits. “There’s a uniqueness to it. I’ve outgrown stainless steel—I want something textural, warm, visually striking. I don’t want to be another crayon in the box.”
“If it was a two-tone Casio, I’d probably still wear it. Because for me, it’s about what made an impression early on. And that feeling never left.”
From Wrist to Foundation
Watches aren’t just style statements in Mark’s world—they’re currency. Years ago, when a down payment on a home loomed, he turned to his collection. One piece in particular—a flawless two-tone Tiffany dial GMT—helped secure the historic Columbus Lazarus House. “It was hard to let it go,” he says. “But she wanted the house, I wanted the house, and sometimes a great watch funds a greater dream.”
That dream became a reality. The Lazarus House—originally built by the family behind the legendary department store—was on the brink of decay. Mark and his wife saw more than bricks and beams; they saw history, legacy, and a chance to preserve a chapter of Columbus culture. “It wasn’t just about having a beautiful house,” he says. “It was about doing our part to save something meaningful for the city.”
The Eye Trains Over Time
Over the years, Mark’s taste evolved. From stainless sports models to bi-metal Day-Dates with linen, pyramid, or Florentine dials. “Rolex two-tone was dead for a while,” he notes. “But I always loved it. There’s a certain confidence to it. A lived-in elegance.” The same appreciation for detail shows up in his restoration work—where materials, craftsmanship, and historical cues matter.
His professional world—dental sales—has also intertwined with his passion. Many of his clients are now collectors too, often guided by Mark’s deep knowledge. “I’ve become part consultant, part friend,” he says. “Watches are a reflection of who you are. It’s an investment in how you want to feel.”
“Whether it’s a house or a watch, you walk a little taller when you know what you’re wearing—or living in—was chosen with care.”
Legacy in Motion
Watches have long moved with time. But for Mark, they also move with memory. They recall the quiet pride of an 11-year-old kid looping golf bags. The weight of a two-tone bracelet as a symbol of accomplishment. The courage to part with one grail to fund another. “They’re not just watches,” he says. “They’re reminders of what I value—and where I’ve been.”
His story, like the Lazarus House, proves that what we wear—and what we restore—can be more than just surface. They can be symbols of our past, and commitments to our future.
Worn Stories is a series by 25 Dials capturing the lives, passions, and heritage embedded in the things we wear.
