NAVY SEALS wear Rolex?

[TARDIS]

G Shock has and still is the choice for military almost everywhere. A second choice might be the P600 H3.

Rolex might be tough enough enough using NATO strap. Its an expensive choice and I can't ever see it being 'issued' as a standard wear watch at any rank.

[HongNinja]

Originally Posted by handsfull

One thing I remember when I made the first trip into the PX (around 98') was the excitement of picking up a discounted Rolex .....then after doing the research in the AAFES catalog, I find I can get better prices from local dealers

"DOH".

I understand completely what you mean by the "testosterone" thing.... I think that's something a lot of military/police types can relate to. No offense taken, and I do truly appreciate every second of time you ALL put in to our country. Something we all care deeply about regardless.

[Dr. Robert]

I wonder if Seal (the singer) wears a Rolex

[ronbo710]

... of two Vietnam Era Navy Seals wearing issued Subs. They're using demo so the low stance. Note the strap on the left with the snap. That is an issued strap for a face cover for the watch (night ops).Trust me these guys aren't going to go out and buy these Subs and change them to black straps -they were issued. Cheers -Ron

[Dr. Robert]

Cool photo of the Vietnam era SEAL guys.......did the "PX" carry Rolex subs????
Did the early model subs come with a "tropic" strap option????????
An R&R purchase in Hong Kong....(at that time, the best place to buy a Rolex at a very loooowwww cost)
At that time Rolex was more $'s compared to the cost of Benrus mil watches used during the Vietnam era .

[ronbo710]

My Uncle was in the U.S. Air Force in the '60's and yes they had Rolex sports models at the PX (BX) on his base. The straps on the pic are one piece nylon 20MM mil-straps.

[Gary Busey]

Originally Posted by ronbo710

... of two Vietnam Era Navy Seals wearing issued Subs. They're using demo so the low stance. Note the strap on the left with the snap. That is an issued strap for a face cover for the watch (night ops).Trust me these guys aren't going to go out and buy these Subs and change them to black straps -they were issued. Cheers -Ron

they look like civil war era guys in vietnam era gear.
they also look like they saw a pigeon and are about to have it for lunch

[mikkolopez]

Awesome shares and stories. Thank you for your service.

[How]

... And that's why Ian Fleming intended James Bond to wear a Rolex.

[How]

Originally Posted by ronbo710

... of two Vietnam Era Navy Seals wearing issued Subs. They're using demo so the low stance. Note the strap on the left with the snap. That is an issued strap for a face cover for the watch (night ops).Trust me these guys aren't going to go out and buy these Subs and change them to black straps -they were issued. Cheers -Ron

Mario & Luigi in heavy artillery looking for mushrooms.


(all jokes aside, huge respect to these heroes. For if it weren't for heroes like these, we would not be enjoying the freedom we have now).

[Brushpup]

I love the info in this thread. Ronbo, thanks for telling us about this. I actually came back to ask the qestion about lume during Night Ops. Thinking of this thread I was wondering how much of a problem lume might create, and assumed they had to do something about hiding it.

Really interesting information!

[Ravager135]

Let me rephrase, while enlisted may not have the sheer amount of income compared to officers, never underestimate the kid who lives in the barracks but drives the Camaro. That I have seen! It is why we are all forced to make mandatory financial management classes. LOL.

[Eulogy]

Originally Posted by Dr. Robert

Cool photo of the Vietnam era SEAL guys.......did the "PX" carry Rolex subs????

The Navy Exchange in The Philippines carried Rolex when I was in during the early 70's, just post Vietnam. If I remember correctly they were priced at $500-$600.

Some of the more senior NCOs had them, but none that I know of wore them on Liberty to Olongapo. I came back to base watchless once when a girl insisted on 'holding' my watch while I took a shower.

[Cabaiguan]

Originally Posted by TARDIS

G Shock has and still is the choice for military almost everywhere. A second choice might be the P600 H3.

Rolex might be tough enough enough using NATO strap. Its an expensive choice and I can't ever see it being 'issued' as a standard wear watch at any rank.

This.

[Rashid.bk]

I remember when I came in '98, the PX carried Rolex Subs and SDs. They also carried Omega Seamasters. They stopped carrying the Rolexes in store and kept them in the catalog until about 03/04 then they stopped. Omegas were available in store until around 03 and then they also stopped.

[ronbo710]

Sure thing. If you want to know more about Rolex and military connection check out www.broadarrow.net It is a military watch site and the experts reside there trust me. Also a great deal can be learned about the British issued Submariners there as well. Cheers -Ron

[handsfull]

Originally Posted by Rashid.bk

I remember when I came in '98, the PX carried Rolex Subs and SDs. They also carried Omega Seamasters. They stopped carrying the Rolexes in store and kept them in the catalog until about 03/04 then they stopped. Omegas were available in store until around 03 and then they also stopped.

Yes, I can second this. I last saw them in a AAFES catalog in Germany around 2000. I remember something about ordering them ONLY if you were OCONUS. It didn't matter anyhow because there wasn't any discount

[Brushpup]

Originally Posted by Rashid.bk

I remember when I came in '98, the PX carried Rolex Subs and SDs. They also carried Omega Seamasters. They stopped carrying the Rolexes in store and kept them in the catalog until about 03/04 then they stopped. Omegas were available in store until around 03 and then they also stopped.

Originally Posted by handsfull

Yes, I can second this. I last saw them in a AAFES catalog in Germany around 2000. I remember something about ordering them ONLY if you were OCONUS. It didn't matter anyhow because there wasn't any discount

Did you guys ever seem them in PX/BX stateside? I have heard how cheap they once were abroad, but never heard about them being sold in the US BX/PX's.

Originally Posted by ronbo710

Sure thing. If you want to know more about Rolex and military connection check out www.broadarrow.net It is a military watch site and the experts reside there trust me. Also a great deal can be learned about the British issued Submariners there as well. Cheers -Ron

I've been over there. A whole bunch of very passionate and very serious guys. They don't mess around about their choices in watches. A great place, and a great bunch of guys they seem like.

[handsfull]

Originally Posted by Brushpup

Did you guys ever seem them in PX/BX stateside? I have heard how cheap they once were abroad, but never heard about them being sold in the US....

No, only OCONUS. I was actually amped to see them in an AAFES catalog, but Omega was the only desireable brand that actually had a discount.

[byeedo]

Originally Posted by MonBK

I know they work in a tough environment.

My wife watches Master Chef on TV and I've seen them in action with flour flying, knifes chopping and steaks grilling.

[Monkeyman]

No surprises surely, seen as it was rolex movements which made panerais famous on the Italian dive forces

[nerd]

I see a bunch of RESCO watches around Coronado (Western BUDS training) where they are assembled.

http://rescoinstruments.com

[Cronus4]

Originally Posted by nerd

I see a bunch of RESCO watches around Coronado (Western BUDS training) [/url]

There is no 'eastern' BUD/S training.

[sheldonsmith]

I stumbled across this article, and this video on the YouTube....


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7XJu-...layer_embedded
The video is pretty cool... The Navy Seal instructor is clearly wearing a submariner.

-Sheldon

[ftgokie]

[QUOTE=Brushpup;3700946]Did you guys ever seem them in PX/BX stateside? I have heard how cheap they once were abroad, but never heard about them being sold in the US BX/PX's.QUOTE]


I seen Rolex Datejust and Subs and also Omegas at the main PX on Ft Benning Georgia when I was in basic and AIT in 1986. I was going to buy a sub after airborne school but didnt have the funds. Once I got to Germany I bought my 1st one at Rhein Main AFB in Frankfurt around 1987ish

[MJK737]

Originally Posted by Ravager135

Let me rephrase, while enlisted may not have the sheer amount of income compared to officers, never underestimate the kid who lives in the barracks but drives the Camaro. That I have seen! It is why we are all forced to make mandatory financial management classes. LOL.

X2! I know for a fact that there are enlisted Team guys kicking down doors with their own personal Rolex's on. They do however put them on natos.

As for the forced mandatory classes, my all time favorite is the IA that makes you go into every office in the building. Good times, good times!

[77T]

I've notice more contracts issued to firms like Marathon for pieces like the GSAR. But have not read about a similar Rolex deal -are any NATO countries issuing Rolex?

[MJK737]

Originally Posted by handsfull

No, only OCONUS. I was actually amped to see them in an AAFES catalog, but Omega was the only desireable brand that actually had a discount.

The Navy Exchange at 32nd st. San Diego currently has preowned Rolexes for sale. The prices are just as expensive as anywhere else, maybe a tad more given they are tax free.

[MJK737]

Originally Posted by nerd

I see a bunch of RESCO watches around Coronado (Western BUDS training) where they are assembled.

http://rescoinstruments.com

I love mine!

[trigger643]

My younger brother was a graduate of BUDS class 158 and worked in Teams 2 and 4 out of Little Creek (East Coast) circa 1989-1999 and he was 'issued' a Seiko Quartz Diver's which I believe was the "Arnie Arnold" H558-5009 or one nearly identical to it.

Although his Seiko was his work watch, a Submariner he received as a gift upon graduating from the USNA in 1988 was (and is), his everyday watch and we've had several conversations over the years about the lack of an 'official' watch issued to all members. The watches acquired were apparently in small lots by specific groups depending upon the mission requirements and the whim of each Team. There were no active groups during the time my brother was in that had Rolex work watches (to his knowledge), but they apparently were quite often 'issued' in the '60s and '70s.

I was fortunate enough to attend the SEAL/UDT reunion in the mid 1990's at Littlecreek and this event was the largest single gathering of Rolexes I've ever witnessed, almost all of them worn by current and former UDT and SEAL members.

A quick google search of "seal" "udt" "rolex" and "reunion" gave quite a few images.