Got the “call”, ‘89 UAE Armed Forces Datejust 16233

[tekno]

I’ve been wanting to start a “got the call” thread for some time now.

1989 Rolex Datejust 16233 18K/SS w/UAE Armed Forces logo dial that was gifted to Green Beret Col. Billy Olds by the UAE MOD. He was the US Military Liaison to the UAE from 1986-1990.

The watch from what I have gathered is all original and pretty much mint other than some light scratches on top of the lugs, 89 clasp code & the white date-wheel checked out with a friend who verified it had only been serviced once and wasn’t originally sold in the US. He also confirmed that it would have had a champagne closed 6 date-wheel installed if it had been changed during service.

It came with a 10/22 Rolex warranty card & service case/box. The original box & papers was thrown out years ago unfortunately.

Before stationed in UAE, Mr. Olds was the US Adviser to the Egyptian Special Forces. The embassy assignment put him in the spotlight in 1985 where he led Egyptian Commandos to retake hijacked EgyptAir flight 648 in Malta. Gadhafi put a $500k bounty on Olds head after the incident, which didn’t deter him from his work in the Middle East. His last job was in Iraq for a PMC I believe.

Olds started his military career out with three tours in Vietnam, he was also in the John Wayne movie The Green Berets.










Olds is bottom right

[TimeOnTarget]

That’s awesome!

[dhknola]

Really cool watch and history!

[springer]

Chris, you scored a wonderful piece. Congratulations.

[Jackie Daytona]

Congrats and awesome history and photos. Thanks for sharing.

[tekno]

Thank you guys, I’m honored to own it. I’ve always wanted a piece with a story, I think this one is pretty neat.


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[fizz]

Now that's a piece with some interesting history. Well done and enjoy it.

[linesiders]

This is an absolute banger of a piece !

Col Olds (Ret) Walked the Walk all the way up to a few years ago.

Absolute awesome piece, dude!

[drefrank]

That’s a great watch. And what a fantastic story!

[Dr.Smellody]

Wow. Awesome watch and history.

[SamArj]

That is just amazing, probably the most interesting post I have ever read on this forum.
Enjoy the watch my friend.

[Styles Bitchley]

Absolutely love this. One of the real heavy hitting watches with a story. Congrats!

[1William]

Cool watch. Great story and post.

[jds1017]

Congrats! Awesome story

[KY..]

Now that’s a story worth telling and a piece worth treasuring…
Bad ass green beret original owner who was tied to the EgyptAir hijacking.
Plus as a bonus he was in the Green Beret movie with John Wayne.
And the watch is tied to all his bad-ass-ness?
Serious congratulations are in order for you coming up with that piece!

[TuRo]

That's some 'paperwork'. Very nice.

[BNA/LION]

Beautiful! Congratulations!