cazalea
[Seiko Moderator]
17085
Navy SEALs and their Watches, Part 2
In this series I am providing some background on US Navy SEALs and their Rolex, Tudor and Seiko watches. In this post I'd like to focus on a particular gentleman name Moki Martin, who brought me some Tudors to refresh.
Here we are: Gary, Mrs C, and Moki.
It's been on the strap since it was new, although he's had a couple little compasses over those years ("easily smashed"). He didn't want to lose the patina on the watch but he did want it to do better than a loss of 5 minutes per day.
I gave the exterior a careful bath, added a few micro-drops of oil and a tiny adjustment, then polished the crystal.
Here is the watch back in its favorite jungle habitat (in this case, my back yard), with me using my pellet rifle to simulate a combat weapon.
Now here's the kind of provenance everyone loves - the same watch on his wrist in the jungle, back in the day. The photo was taken by a US Navy press photographer.
Moki is a local resident who served in the Navy SEALs and other special operations teams. He's earned a chestful of medals, including Bronze Star Medals, Navy Commendation Medals, Combat Action Ribbon, Presidential Unit Citations, a Navy Unit Citation, two Meritorious Unit Citations, campaign and marksmanship ribbons and medals, the SEAL “Trident,” a Naval Special Warfare device, U.S. Navy senior parachute jump wings and finally, jump wings from the Republic of Vietnam and the Royal Thailand Navy.
Originally from Maui, Moki enlisted in 1960 and served in some ships before joining the Underwater Demolition teams. You can read the complete story of his activities in and out of the Navy:
In case you don't have time for the whole story, Moki started an event known as the SuperFrog triathlon, which has been running for decades to support the Navy SEAL foundation. Here he's greeting Lance Armstrong, winner of the 2012 race. (Photo by Timothy Carlson, via the web)
Not mentioned in the articles is the fact that Moki is a watch collector. He can't recall ever letting these Tudor watches out of his sight before.
Let's move on -- this is the first one he handed over to be cleaned up.
It's been on the strap since it was new, although he's had a couple little compasses over those years ("easily smashed"). He didn't want to lose the patina on the watch but he did want it to do better than a loss of 5 minutes per day.
I gave the exterior a careful bath, added a few micro-drops of oil and a tiny adjustment, then polished the crystal.
Here is the watch back in its favorite jungle habitat (in this case, my back yard), with me using my pellet rifle to simulate a combat weapon.
Now here's the kind of provenance everyone loves - the same watch on his wrist in the jungle, back in the day. The photo was taken by a US Navy press photographer.
I asked Gary if he had any photos like this of himself wearing one of his watches, and he replied "Are you kidding? we took our watches off before operations so we didn't destroy them!"
-----------------------
Moki's second Tudor arrived this week for its inspection.
This watch is on a custom stainless steel bracelet Moki and his pals had made in the Philippines in 1965 and 1967.
You can see the dates scratched in the back of the links. Mounted on the top sides are a parachute logo and diving rig.
Moki wears both of these watches regularly but this Tudor was misbehaving - hard to set, not self-winding, sometimes stopping suddenly.
I have to say there was a bit of debris floating around this watch and bracelet.
But it polished up very nicely without any parts other than gaskets. Inside, it was much the same with one serious exception. Look up at 11 o'clock on the outer edge of the movement. A hole.
Look closely up the stem and you will see a hold-down tab and its screw which had come out and lodged in the stem tube. Luckily it was there and not in the balance wheel. The other tab at 5 o'clock was very loose too. But after they were put back in place and tightened, the watch began running very well.
The bracelet has two flip-over latches to secure it to the wrist. Moki says an extra link was added a few years ago by a local jeweler, "to accommodate a few extra pounds".
Moki wears both of these watches regularly but this Tudor was misbehaving - hard to set, not self-winding, sometimes stopping suddenly.
I have to say there was a bit of debris floating around this watch and bracelet.
But it polished up very nicely without any parts other than gaskets. Inside, it was much the same with one serious exception. Look up at 11 o'clock on the outer edge of the movement. A hole.
Look closely up the stem and you will see a hold-down tab and its screw which had come out and lodged in the stem tube. Luckily it was there and not in the balance wheel. The other tab at 5 o'clock was very loose too. But after they were put back in place and tightened, the watch began running very well.
Here's how it looks on my wrist.
The bracelet has two flip-over latches to secure it to the wrist. Moki says an extra link was added a few years ago by a local jeweler, "to accommodate a few extra pounds".
And now it's back on his wrist:
Thanks Moki, for your work on our country's behalf, and for the chance for us to look at your watches.
Cazalea
Please go on to Part 3 of Navy SEAL watches.
More posts:
Navy SEALs and their Watches, Part 1
Hi Guys, I've been teasing the Rolex Forum a bit with photos of two Tudor Submariners that I had the opportunity to clean and polish. Now I can tell you some of the story behind those watches, and a few other watches I've been happy to play around with. U...
Navy SEALs and their Watches, Part 2
In this series I am providing some background on US Navy SEALs and their Rolex, Tudor and Seiko watches. In this post I'd like to focus on a particular gentleman name Moki Martin, who brought me some Tudors to refresh. Here we are: Gary, Mrs C, and Moki. ...
One of the best posts I've read on this board
In the 13 years I have been here. A big thank you for putting together this, and sharing these wonderful and fascinating stories. Sincerely Christian
Thank you very much
Moki is a great guy and it\'s a privilege for me to share his stories, while the sun is still shining... Cazalea ...
Moki‘s stainless steel bracelet from the Philippines
Dear Cazalea, my wife and myself are currently spending our vacation in California and are staying with friends in the Sacramento area before heading south. Our friend retired as a Colonel from U.S. Army after serving in different joint operations and pro...
Good observations & the answers
Moki just confirmed the details for me. MOKI's bracelet with curved wings and parachute was a very early model, and designed by an Army Special Forces guy who was in the Philippines - hence the tanks and curved wings. At a reunion a couple years ago I got...
Thanks a lot, Cazalea and Moki!
That‘s what I would call a complete answer to a question! It is so interesting to hear the details behind a story My friend earned his own jump wings (Army) during his career and was quite interested to heat how this story would go. Thanks again, also fro...
Navy SEALs and their Watches, Part 3
This is Part 3 of my report on Navy SEALs and their watches. It's time to look at the Seiko dive watch worn by a recently-retired SEAL today. Still in his Forties, my most-recently-retired SEAL friend is named Derrick. A 26-year veteran of the US Navy and...
Navy SEALs and their Watches, Part 4
This is the final segment of my study of the Rolex, Seiko and Tudor watches worn by US Navy SEAL team members (retired). I will conclude with some watches that belong to gentlement I don't know well. I have taken photos of their Rolexes while servicing th...
Please Please Please expand and give us some more!!!
Absolutely riveting reading, you've given us access to the personal world of individuals that is usually shrouded in either secrecy, or 'myths'! Thoroughly enjoyed every word, and would definitely read more! I guess I just find these guys a pleasant relie...
What a thread!
These articles are fantastic to read. The watches look incredible and full of historical "material". Thanks a lot for this work. Cheers, Mark
Naval vessels very stealthy these days
These are not even the stealthiest ones made.... ...
I put in some of the stealthier ones, but you must have missed them
they are so stealthy, they are invisible! Actually the Navy trains sea lions and dolphins and beluga whales to help with surveillance of its ships. We see these trainers in action - a pair of outboards with red/orange patches are the giveaway sign that tr...
Wow, Mike!
I enjoy my watch hobby, but I have to admit your watch hobby is much more interesting than mine. Thanks for another superb series.
Thank you
for this excellent post and great insight into the lives of these very brave men (& their watches, of course!) Cordially Mally
Amazing thread Mike!
I enjoyed reading every word and the accompanying stories and pictures. Thanks for taking the time and sharing this information with us... it is amazing these stories which are now shared as it will be a shame for them to be lost one day. Cheers Andrew
amazing read...
thanks for this... Thank you to all the service folks that protect this land...
Trading war stories for watch stories.
Nice stories! And nice watches! Does any Navy Seal wear a single JLC Seal Watch?
OK, more stories
A couple short stories from Brownie, the USAF flier: We didn't have reason to get into the higher regions of supersonic flight when we were flying missions at our home base in the US. In Spain, however, an opportunity arose where we were asked to take our...
We should not forget that Blancpain provided some great watches to the SEALs.
The Milspec: The TR 900: Super post, Mike! Best, Nicolas ...
"Blancpain provided...watches...to the SEAL's..." curious for more details
Hi Nico, provided as in gifted to individual team member, or...
Wow now that is some great reporting.
There is so much to absorb i need to patiently read through but as a fan of Rolex and the real life stories from original owners is so cool. So many thanks to the kind men who shared their stories and for your kind patience in listening and sharing. Bill
What a fascinating topic!
Amazing report Mike. The whole military culture is so interesting so it's great to see that they appreciate watches too. Great job, bravo.
A very Fantastic series and fine images,
My wife and I had a family Friend (May he Rest in Peace) that was in UDT and went on to become a Navy Diver. Saw many practice run when I would visit Hampton Roads, VA. Please continue this very fine series and Thank You. Bravo Zulu to the Members.
That was true fun to read, Mike!
After reading your post, who can deny that our watches are often a true reflection or our personalities? Best, Jed
Thank you very much Cazalea
The best story of watch and owners. Thank you to all Serviceman
Cool write up!
Being former Swedish navy my self, I’m pleased to see a Swedish boat in the first picture.
