cazalea
[Seiko Moderator]
17087
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 them.
To conclude the post I'll share a few photos of Navy submarines, carriers and other combat vessels.
BOB
These two belong to Bob. He rides a Harley and has both an intimidating physical presence and a nice personal manner when I talked with him.
The DateJust was purchased with his own money in Nassau around 1958. Bob brought me the original box and the Chronometer certificate, so as I cleaned up his watch, I could adjust its accuracy to original spec! (These SEAL guys can be very detail-oriented, and occasionally unrealistic.) In his case, the watch ran well but not quite to original spec.
As you can see below, the bracelets "show some stretch".
In the photo below I notice that we found a new repro watch bracelet (still wrapped in plastic) for Bob's Submariner. Being a Navy pensioner, he was not interested in trying to buy a new (or reconditioned) original Rolex bracelet for ether watch.
I remember the conversation went like this:
"How %^^(*& much? That's 10 times the price of the watch when it was new! No (&$*% way am I paying that for a bracelet."
Sharp-eyed Rolex experts will notice that the hands have been changed at some point, as they are much brighter than the rest of the lume on the dial.
(Gary's watch is the one on the left).
LEN
"Neither impact should have caused a problem - it's an F-ing Rolex!"
Yes, but a very old one and he should take better care of it.
The case was slightly dented by the impact and I could not get a newer glass crystal into it.
Normally these watches are only cleaned carefully and adjusted. The SEALs don't want NEW parts, they like the patina, but also want to be able to read the time through a relatively clean crystal. Luckily it's easy to polish up an acrylic crystal.
BROWNIE
Here's a quote that my wife's 82-yr old uncle gave me yesterday. He was an Air Force captain and fighter pilot, not a SEAL, but he shares some of those detail-oriented personality traits! Since he's a relative and interested in watches, I was happy to include his watch (although we need a better picture).
"The orders for my reassignment were cut on June 15th, 1960. My last flight in the F-100 was on June 22nd, ( I accumulated 750 hours in it). Saying auf wiedersehen to my friends and squadron mates, I was transported to Rhein-Main Air Base—now Frankfurt International Airport—for my flight home. At the duty-free shop I purchased a Rolex watch for $160. Fifty-plus years later I still wear the same timepiece.
The original watch dial had a light green color. I once sent it off to New York to get it cleaned and overhauled, and they sent it back with this face. It took them so long to get it back to me, I did not have the patience to send it back and tell them to put it back the way it was. I'm very sorry I didn't do that."
Since I am running out of Rolex photos to share, I'll conclude with a few candid photos of SEALs and some random vessels in my area.
Cheers,
Cazalea
Please let me know if you enjoyed this series. I might be able to expand on it, if encouraged ...
I wonder what they are doing? (above with small boats, below with big ships) Just sitting around in the water going every which way.
This looks much meaner.
Navy SEALs and their Watches, Part 1
Time for me to go fishing. Cazalea
This message has been edited by cazalea on 2015-04-21 18:31:51
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
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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.
