Special Edition Magnum PI Rolex watches!!??

[leopardprey]

Browsing through a book written about the Magnum TV series (Aloha Magnum) written by Larry Manetti who played Rick on the show.

Here is quote from the book:

"And during the last season, he (Tom Selleck) gave out solid-gold Rolex watches to producers, casting people, and a few crew members. The rest of the Magnum PI family-well over a hundred people-got regular Rolex watches, some custom made with the Magnum logo."



Also states that Magnum started wearing a Rolex (Red and Black GMT I believe) in episose 4.1 (29 Sep 1983). the episode were he is stranded at sea. States a increase in Rolex sales followed.

Magnum PI was THE show that I watched when I was in Junior High and High School. One of the best TV, if not THE best TV shows ever made. I remember seeing the Rolex watch in the show and that is what originally sparked my interest in Rolex, and then later after high school seeing some many fellow soldiers wearing Rolex and hearing about the history. And then also having a favorite college professor who was still wearing a Exp 1 he got while serving in Vietnam. One thing that I realize now about the show, now that I am into Rolex watches, the episode 4.1 shows Magnums dad wearing the GMT and timing a young Magnum to tread water. This is before Magnum's dad is killed in Korea. Well, could not have been a GMT then, since they did not come out until 1954 and Korean war was over, e3ven if at the end of the war, they were only availiable in blue/red at first.

Anyway great show and some Rolex history.

[Gedanken]

Yup, the episode was titled "Home From the Sea" - I've got it on DVD.

The GMT actually changes through that episode. In the flashback scenes, it's a Pepsi, but in the scenes where Magnum is stranded at sea, it's got the root beer bezel. Also, the flashback scenes are dated 1950, which as you've said, predates the release of the GMT.

Nonetheless, a great series - I've got the first four seasons and I'm waiting for seasons five and six to hit the shelves here.

I've heard the story about Tom Selleck giving out Rolexes when the show wrapped. Another bit of trivia is that the car was originally meant to be a Porsche 928, but Porsche got stingy so they went Ferrari instead. Whoops.

Donald Bellasario seems to be a Rolex fan - even these days, you can see Michael Weatherly (Tony DeNozzo) sporting an SS Sub on NCIS.

[leopardprey]

Read in Larry's book that Tom Selleck got Larry and the actor who played TC both Porche 928s as gifts towards the show's end as well.

[Gedanken]

Ah, that I didn't know. TC was played by Roger E Mosley, by the way, and who would have believed that John Hillerman (Higgins) is actually a Texan?

[WES]

I was a big Magnum PI fan, would LOVE to get my hands on one with the Magnum Logo What was the Magnum PI logo? I don't remember any. Bill

[Gedanken]

Probably just the text from the opening credits:



They could also be talking about design on the team ring he wore:



This ring featured in the pilot eposode and the emblem was in the opening credits for the first half of the first season (with the original opening soundtrack), if I recall correctly.

[mrbieler]

When I lived in Hawaii from 1979~1983, I was a paperboy for the Honolulu Advertiser. Tom Selleck was on my route when he lived in Black Point. He tipped well. :)

They used to film a lot in our area. We (the neighborhood kids) got be background shots a lot on our bikes, etc. A lot of fun. The cast were all really cool.

That show is the reason my first and favorite Rolex was/is a GMT. Glad Hollywood goofed and gave him a watch that wouldn't have existed...

A screen shot of the episode when he got the watch:


Hearing John Hillerman talk off camera was a hoot with his Texas accent. Larry Manetti wore lifts.

Good memories growing up.

[leopardprey]

You know what would be agood book? Higgin's memoirs. Suprised some author has not tried to write them!

[mrbieler]

Originally Posted by leopardprey

You know what would be agood book? Higgin's memoirs. Suprised some author has not tried to write them!

That would be pretty cool to put together a fictional biography based on the show.

[Kris]

I remember that episode well. In fact, that's the only episode I remember vividly. I can't remember any of the other's.

That's the episode where Magnum goes out in his kiak for a paddle, a speed-boat cuts him off or he get's thrown off his kiak in the boats wake. He loses the kiak and get's caught in some kind of a current that drags him out to sea. While treading water he thinks about his father and about his fear of sharks. Sure enough, he meets a shark and plays a game of hide and seek until the shark just disappears.

At the end of the show just as the coast-guard copter is about to pull him out, he yells at the lifeguard to hold off pulling him in for 10 more seconds so that he could beat the record for treading water or something.

That was a great episode!!!!!

[mikey]

Well, I think the point was the fact Magnum inherited his Dad's Rolex regardless of what model it was. There was only 1 epsiode where Rick got his hands on a Rolex President in a card game. They didn't do a close up but the design of the band and all 18K gold was evident. After that 1983 episode, the GMT was given monster close ups. Especially when Magnum was locked in the bank safe with Carrol Burnett.

[astcell]

Originally Posted by leopardprey

You know what would be agood book? Higgin's memoirs. Suprised some author has not tried to write them!

It'd be an awesome cookbook!

[leopardprey]

Actaully Larry's book includes a chapter with his recipes in them. I guess Larry is quite the cook.

Book also talks about Larry and Sellck both going in on a restuarant in 1986 called the Black Orchid in Hawaii. I gues the restuarant went under though after Larry adn Tom pulled out of the deal after a year.

[leopardprey]

Be interesting to see a list of what episodes of Magnum is there wearing of a Rolex and what model.

[Xkalifornian]

I've always thought there could be a good TV movie about what Magnum and friends would be up to in the present time.

[mikey]

Actually, one of the last episodes sealed any future for the series. In an interview, Selleck mentioned that episode. Robin Master was Higgins. What direction could a reunion show go from there???

[Gaijin]

I lived in Honolulu from 1981 to 1990. I worked as an extra on several Magnum episodes. You will never meet a nicer more down to earth guy than Tom Selleck. He treated everybody with respect, courtesy and dignity. I ate lunch at the same table with him a few times. Great energy on the set.

Met Larry too. He was a bit cold. Nice enough. We talked about "Black Sheep Squadron" a previous TV series he was in which I really liked.

Met John Hillerman too. Also a quality guy. Never talked to TC.

Been to The Black Orchid restaurant many times. When it first opened it was the place to see and be seen. The Denver Broncos owner Pat Bollen was a majority owner. Great service/food and beautiful women no doubt looking for a man who owns a Rolex.

I also worked on "Jake and the Fatman." with William Conrad. Anybody remember that show?

[maverick]

All those presents and watches were bought from Tom Selleck's last bonus. He spent it on his fellow actors, not on himself, just because he is a good guy. =) maverick

[leopardprey]

How can you not like a guy who takes a stand against Rosie Odonnell !

From all I have heard Tom selleck is a good man, a veteran, and also a avid shooter, gun rights advocate.

Think I am going to head to the store and buy the 3rd, 4th, and 5th seasons of Magnum! The show really brings back memories to me. Remember used to always watch Simon and Simon as well, right before. Also in Highschool Airwolf and Hunter were another two of my favorite shows!

[Prince]

Originally Posted by KansaiVet

I lived in Honolulu from 1981 to 1990. I worked as an extra on several Magnum episodes. You will never meet a nicer more down to earth guy than Tom Selleck. He treated everybody with respect, courtesy and dignity. I ate lunch at the same table with him a few times. Great energy on the set.

Met Larry too. He was a bit cold. Nice enough. We talked about "Black Sheep Squadron" a previous TV series he was in which I really liked.

Met John Hillerman too. Also a quality guy. Never talked to TC.

Been to The Black Orchid restaurant many times. When it first opened it was the place to see and be seen. The Denver Broncos owner Pat Bollen was a majority owner. Great service/food and beautiful women no doubt looking for a man who owns a Rolex.

I also worked on "Jake and the Fatman." with William Conrad. Anybody remember that show?

That's fantastic, Tom!

I NEVER missed an episode of Magnum, and yes, I also enjoyed "Jake and the Fatman". I have always had a great deal of respect for William Conrad and his work, especially the series "Cannon".

Thanks for sharing that. Wonderful memories!!

[redsrover]

Home from the Sea is the best episode ever. Period. And not a single shot of the 308 I believe. Rick's trying to get it on with that chick on the boat (King Kamehameha II, I believe) and tells her one of the motors is out and he can't go through the reef in the dark. She was hot, and worth the scam. Rick's sixth sense about Thomas being lost in the Molokai Channel overpowered his, well, desires. And Higgins, earlier on that Fourth of July afternoon had a strange feeling about Magnum that he told Agatha about during a break in his polo action. TC, at the same time as Higgins, is running the little league team (the Tigers) out to an Islanders game. Tobias, a player on the team, picked up on his odd behavior. All the while, Herman was pestering Thomas as he bobbed up and down in the sea.

It's the episode that made me interested in Rolex, and the GMT I have today. I didn't dig the Pepsi version, the black and red is what I chose.

Who's got this on DVD? My VHS copy taped off TV is so old it's not playable.

[mikey]

red, the 308 was briefly seen in that episode. TC was driving the van with his little league players on the Hawaiian expressway and saw a red Ferrari 308 driven by another guy which made him daydream of where Tom Magnum was.

[santaclaus2100]

I guess I must have been too young to spot the Rolexes,

But, all the TV shows do bring back memories, Magnum PI, Jake and the Fatman, Canon, Simon & Simon.

Tom Selleck was the MAN, made me think if I could grow up and afford to drive Ferrari's and chase beautiful women.

Just a dream, zzzzz.

[astcell]

Oh I loved watching Magnum too. And though I can afford nice cars, watches and other toys, the TV show neglects to tell you that when you persue a woman you spend a lot of money on her, when you catch one she takes even more to support, and when she leaves she takes all that you have left.

[SDinAZ]

I was watching one of the real life disaster shows and the copter that TC flew in the show was being filmed and crashed landed into a small canal. The chopper was partially submerged under water. A HUGE man went over and lifted the chopper up so the guy could be pulled out. The multi colored helicopter was one of my favorite memories, as well as the Ferrari. I also loved the rear bikini shot in the opening sequence, that got me fired up.

[Kris]

Guys, which DVD season was "Home from the Sea" on?????????

[GMT Master II]

Kris, it was season 4. At the young age of 14 I saw that episode and my love of Rolex watches began. I didn't even know what a Rolex was at that age. My Mother worked at a jewelry store at the time and she informed what they were and how much they cost. I was in total disbelief. How could a watch cost thousands of dollars? I could not believe it. I purchased my first Rolex at age 27. Thirteen years after watching that episode. It was a GMT Master II. After so many years I remembered the GMT as being a red and black bezel model. As it turned out it was a Pepsi bezel model. I have been collecting the seasons of Magnum and when season 4 came out last year I had preordered it. After watching "Home from the sea" I realized it was a Pepsi GMT. I had my black and red bezel insert replaced with a Pepsi insert during a service at the Dallas service center last September. I even managed to get my original black and red insert returned to me in case I ever want to return it to its original condition. It's nice to know there are others out there that were also influenced by Magnum P.I. and Tom Selleck.

[mikey]

Honestly, Magnum influenced my love of Rolex and Ferrari. I am still in totatl disbelief how a watch cost thousands of dollars. I learned about the good ole marketing machine.

[GMT Master II]

I love Ferrari's too but I doubt I 'll ever be in a position to own one. I guess I'll have to be happy with my GMT Master II and my Magnum P.I. Jungle Bird shirt.

[Alex Stylianou]

oh yeah