ROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEX

TAHOEJOHN · 10 November 2007, 01:19 PM

I have a buddy who was special forces (tabbed out, q course) whose wife wants to buy him a Rolex. She wants to know if the old school SF guys wore the SS Sub with date or or non date reference Rolexes. I suppose this would be a good place to get some feedback.

Letsgodiving · 10 November 2007, 01:25 PM

The S/S Sub date, non date, Sea-Dweller or a GMT would be a good choice IMHO.

S.F. have a history with all four and you can't go wrong with any of them but I personally would prefer a date option.

Mrdi · 10 November 2007, 01:40 PM

The guy's married SF.
No dates preferred

mike · 10 November 2007, 02:18 PM

Been a while but as I recall the references I remember were the GMT, Sub date, and a few Explorers.

leopardprey · 10 November 2007, 03:02 PM

Seen GMTs, Subs (both date and non-date) and Explorer IIs, they were the most popular. Never saw a SD.

If your friends wife really wants to keep with tradition, tell her to also buy him a Randall Knife as well to go along with the Rolex.

As for no date Subs or Subs with date, if they are really old school, prior to 1967, then definately no date subs, since the Subs did not add the date feature until 1967 IIRC. Used to be alot of Explorer 1s in the "old" days (1960s) as well with SF.

OT, what ODA was your buddy on?

Tell your buddy's wife as well to check out if he was Combat Diver Certified and on a Dive Team or Water Ops/Scout Swim team - if so then a Sub is for him. If he was on one of the MFF (Halo) teams then get him a GMT II. If he was on a Mountain, Recon, or CQB team then get him an Explorer II. LOL LOL Though they all will work! (and of course many times, the above mentioned teams are only for unit organization, as most cross train or do missions out of that scope)

SPACE-DWELLER · 10 November 2007, 09:58 PM

I have heard stories about them wearing GMT's and Subs, but never Explorer.

mike · 10 November 2007, 10:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SPACE-DWELLER

I have heard stories about them wearing GMT's and Subs, but never Explorer.

I have several friends that were in the Rangers that wore Explorers.

watchdawg · 11 November 2007, 12:15 AM

Never knew anyone with an explorer. Can't say no one wears or wore one but never saw one. GMT predominated for non-scuba guys.

TAHOEJOHN · 11 November 2007, 11:00 AM

ODA 752 and 793. Combat Diver Certified and HALO.

TAHOEJOHN · 11 November 2007, 11:00 AM

ODA 752 and 793. Combat Diver Certified and HALO.

piglet · 11 November 2007, 11:35 AM

I would recommend getting the sub with date.

ShawnK · 11 November 2007, 01:54 PM

I fly a desk, so the GMT II works fine for me--and it's handy because I travel frequently. However, if I was spec ops and wanted to wear a Rolex, I'd select the Seadweller. It just feels incredibly solid.

One of the special tactics officers on our base wears an old "battle worn" GMT Master--1675 I believe. He picked it up in the early 80's when he was a young Combat Controller.

They jump, dive and live in the mud and he hasn't killed his GMT yet. He had the movement serviced a couple of years ago, but refuses to have the watch restored. The Pepsi bezel has faded to a pink and powder blue. I think Rolex should use it as an advertisment for the durability of their sport models. But they would have to take him out to get it off his wrist....I wouldn't try it.

Gedanken · 11 November 2007, 02:10 PM

Where I come from, I didn't see any Explorers, and between the GMT and Sub, Subs (especially the date models) seemed to be the most popular.

petespendthrift · 11 January 2008, 09:57 AM

I have no first hand experience of the old school choices but I am currently serving UK military and have to say I could not live without the date on my work watch. As a non commercial diver's timer a Sub (no date) is great but for military applications the rolex's of choice for me would be Sub Date, Seadweller or a GMT II. The old style GMT (with all black bezel) makes most sense as it's rugged, waterproof and small/slim enough to not get smashed about too much and the 24h hand is very useful for tracking local/zulu.

I have just been bitten by the Rolex bug and bought a GMTII (ceramic) before Christmas for off duty (too shiny) and have crazily just ordered a Seadweller which is slightly less flashy and will do for some work purposes. For field soldiering I'll stick with my issue CWC diver (with day/date) which has been smashed about and dented and will be again.

Transient · 11 January 2008, 09:59 AM

Definately the SS Sub Date!!

SSD · 11 January 2008, 11:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Transient

Definately the SS Sub Date!!

Agreed!

BLSampson · 11 January 2008, 11:35 AM

Sub date

Beef · 11 January 2008, 11:45 AM

I agree with Chad, generally. I wore an SD. (He just never saw me, damn, I was good.) I do think the GMT II (16750), black bezel would work for all types of teams, as would an EXP II. Since Combatant Divers/S.F.U.W.O. Diver/SEALS use "attack boards" with dive computers, compasses, depth gauges attached, the watch is a back up. Spent some time with 3rd Bn./7th SFGA in the Panama days. Plenty of water work (helocasting, diving, etc.) Nothing that any of the above wouldn't handle. Good Lord, man, it's a ROLEX!(

Quote:

Originally Posted by leopardprey

Seen GMTs, Subs (both date and non-date) and Explorer IIs, they were the most popular. Never saw a SD.

If your friends wife really wants to keep with tradition, tell her to also buy him a Randall Knife as well to go along with the Rolex.

As for no date Subs or Subs with date, if they are really old school, prior to 1967, then definately no date subs, since the Subs did not add the date feature until 1967 IIRC. Used to be alot of Explorer 1s in the "old" days (1960s) as well with SF.

OT, what ODA was your buddy on?

Tell your buddy's wife as well to check out if he was Combat Diver Certified and on a Dive Team or Water Ops/Scout Swim team - if so then a Sub is for him. If he was on one of the MFF (Halo) teams then get him a GMT II. If he was on a Mountain, Recon, or CQB team then get him an Explorer II. LOL LOL Though they all will work! (and of course many times, the above mentioned teams are only for unit organization, as most cross train or do missions out of that scope)

The Engineer · 11 January 2008, 11:47 AM

Tell her, no date sub because it has the strongest movement of all. A blue saphire ring in
14kt white gold and he better always carry his coin if he does'nt want to run up a big bar
tab.

Beef · 11 January 2008, 02:11 PM

The blue sapphire ring (made in Bangkok-old school, Rhudy's in Fayetteville-New World Order.) , Randall knife, BIG WATCH, little prick,and coin. Divorce papers in the back pocket?-not yet, hang around. It's a package deal

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Engineer

Tell her, no date sub because it has the strongest movement of all. A blue saphire ring in
14kt white gold and he better always carry his coin if he does'nt want to run up a big bar
tab.

astcell · 12 January 2008, 01:39 AM

Sub date, but not the LV or any other "cutesie" stuff.

10 November 2007, 01:19 PM	#1
TAHOEJOHN "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: SAN DIEGO Posts: 3	Special Forces: Date or no date reference I have a buddy who was special forces (tabbed out, q course) whose wife wants to buy him a Rolex. She wants to know if the old school SF guys wore the SS Sub with date or or non date reference Rolexes. I suppose this would be a good place to get some feedback.

10 November 2007, 09:58 PM	#6
SPACE-DWELLER "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Real Name: Bo Location: Denmark Watch: Rolex, of course! Posts: 22,436	I have heard stories about them wearing GMT's and Subs, but never Explorer. __________________ With kind regards, Bo LocTite 221: The Taming Of The Screw...

11 November 2007, 12:15 AM	#8
watchdawg "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Real Name: Vic Location: Colorado/UAE Watch: GMT 1675 Posts: 494	Never knew anyone with an explorer. Can't say no one wears or wore one but never saw one. GMT predominated for non-scuba guys. Last edited by watchdawg; 11 November 2007 at 12:15 AM.. Reason: typo

11 November 2007, 11:00 AM	#9
TAHOEJOHN "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: SAN DIEGO Posts: 3	ODA info ODA 752 and 793. Combat Diver Certified and HALO.

11 November 2007, 02:10 PM	#13
Gedanken "TRF" Member Join Date: May 2005 Real Name: Sir Location: Melbourne Watch: F-series SD Posts: 8,589	Where I come from, I didn't see any Explorers, and between the GMT and Sub, Subs (especially the date models) seemed to be the most popular. __________________ You buy a Casio to make sure you're on time; you wear a Rolex because you don't have to be on time.

10 November 2007, 01:25 PM	#2
Letsgodiving "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Real Name: Mike Location: Virginia, US Watch: SD 16600 Posts: 4,319	The S/S Sub date, non date, Sea-Dweller or a GMT would be a good choice IMHO. S.F. have a history with all four and you can't go wrong with any of them but I personally would prefer a date option.

10 November 2007, 01:40 PM	#3
Mrdi Banned Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: PA Posts: 3,478	The guy's married SF. No dates preferred

10 November 2007, 02:18 PM	#4
mike "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 22,683	Been a while but as I recall the references I remember were the GMT, Sub date, and a few Explorers.

10 November 2007, 03:02 PM	#5
leopardprey Banned Join Date: Nov 2006 Real Name: Chad Location: Around the world Watch: Panerai 233 Posts: 4,204	Seen GMTs, Subs (both date and non-date) and Explorer IIs, they were the most popular. Never saw a SD. If your friends wife really wants to keep with tradition, tell her to also buy him a Randall Knife as well to go along with the Rolex. As for no date Subs or Subs with date, if they are really old school, prior to 1967, then definately no date subs, since the Subs did not add the date feature until 1967 IIRC. Used to be alot of Explorer 1s in the "old" days (1960s) as well with SF. OT, what ODA was your buddy on? Tell your buddy's wife as well to check out if he was Combat Diver Certified and on a Dive Team or Water Ops/Scout Swim team - if so then a Sub is for him. If he was on one of the MFF (Halo) teams then get him a GMT II. If he was on a Mountain, Recon, or CQB team then get him an Explorer II. LOL LOL Though they all will work! (and of course many times, the above mentioned teams are only for unit organization, as most cross train or do missions out of that scope)

11 November 2007, 11:35 AM	#11
piglet "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Tampa Watch: 16710/16600/124060 Posts: 63	I would recommend getting the sub with date.

11 November 2007, 01:54 PM	#12
ShawnK "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Real Name: Shawn Location: Kentucky Watch: GMT Master 16750 Posts: 222	I fly a desk, so the GMT II works fine for me--and it's handy because I travel frequently. However, if I was spec ops and wanted to wear a Rolex, I'd select the Seadweller. It just feels incredibly solid. One of the special tactics officers on our base wears an old "battle worn" GMT Master--1675 I believe. He picked it up in the early 80's when he was a young Combat Controller. They jump, dive and live in the mud and he hasn't killed his GMT yet. He had the movement serviced a couple of years ago, but refuses to have the watch restored. The Pepsi bezel has faded to a pink and powder blue. I think Rolex should use it as an advertisment for the durability of their sport models. But they would have to take him out to get it off his wrist....I wouldn't try it.

11 January 2008, 09:57 AM	#14
petespendthrift Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: N/A Posts: 185	I have no first hand experience of the old school choices but I am currently serving UK military and have to say I could not live without the date on my work watch. As a non commercial diver's timer a Sub (no date) is great but for military applications the rolex's of choice for me would be Sub Date, Seadweller or a GMT II. The old style GMT (with all black bezel) makes most sense as it's rugged, waterproof and small/slim enough to not get smashed about too much and the 24h hand is very useful for tracking local/zulu. I have just been bitten by the Rolex bug and bought a GMTII (ceramic) before Christmas for off duty (too shiny) and have crazily just ordered a Seadweller which is slightly less flashy and will do for some work purposes. For field soldiering I'll stick with my issue CWC diver (with day/date) which has been smashed about and dented and will be again.

11 January 2008, 09:59 AM	#15
Transient "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Real Name: Rob Location: Sydney, Australia Watch: Rolex & Omega Posts: 697	Definately the SS Sub Date!!

11 January 2008, 11:35 AM	#17
BLSampson "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Real Name: Bryan Location: Kansas City, MO Watch: TT Blue Submariner Posts: 930	Sub date __________________ Yoboman "People sleep safely in their beds at night because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf."

11 January 2008, 11:47 AM	#19
The Engineer Banned Join Date: Jan 2007 Real Name: Jameson Location: new york Watch: Rolex Posts: 74	Tell her, no date sub because it has the strongest movement of all. A blue saphire ring in 14kt white gold and he better always carry his coin if he does'nt want to run up a big bar tab.

12 January 2008, 01:39 AM	#21
astcell "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Real Name: Robert Location: Angelus Oaks, CA Watch: 116713 Posts: 6,828	Sub date, but not the LV or any other "cutesie" stuff.

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)