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TheDude · 3 November 2011, 08:07 AM

I have the great honor of being the friendly acquaintance of a retired SEAL by the name of Paul Evancoe. He served in Vietnam in SEAL team 2.

Among other things today, he is the author of two Clancy-esque novels. He and I see each other every so often at the cigar shop and talk about things over a smoke.

Recently, we were discussing his first book because I had just finished reading it. In it, he mentioned the SEALs looking at their Rolexes several times so I decided to ask him a bit about the watches.

He confirmed that he had been issued several over the course of his time with the team. He confirmed that the hands were shaped like swords and that the bars were fixed. When I showed him some photos of Milsubs he said, "yup, that's it."

Interesting to note, and he wrote this in his book - the SEALs used to put tape over the watch because the glow of the lume was so great. He also said that at one point in time, the military had modified several with a fine mesh screen under the crystal that made the light and the face only visible if you were exactly perpendicular to the face. This naturally cut the light leaking from the watch.

I asked if he still had one, and he said he did until the early 80s when it was lost during a house move. He thinks the movers lifted it. He was a bit surprised when I told him what collectors are paying for them these days!

Anyway, he's a fantastic guy with tons of great stories. His books are on Amazon and available via Kindle. His third book "Poison Promise" is due in January 2012.

http://www.paulevancoe.com/about.html

arttay10 · 3 November 2011, 08:10 AM

That's the great thing about vintage.... The stories that fuel and back up the interest....

Keeperoftime · 3 November 2011, 08:48 AM

Amazing history behind these little pieces of metal. Thanks for sharing!

Grumpy Badger · 3 November 2011, 08:51 AM

Really interesting...

Did his have the circle T on the dial? It was my understanding (and I could well be wrong) that those were only done for UKSF.

TheDude · 3 November 2011, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grumpy Badger

Really interesting...

Did his have the circle T on the dial? It was my understanding (and I could well be wrong) that those were only done for UKSF.

Not sure. I can ask.

cruvon · 3 November 2011, 09:51 AM

Thant's an awesome story, thanks for sharing.

jedly1 · 3 November 2011, 09:54 AM

Silly detail, im sure he'll think you are mad for asking ... Can you ask what colour the secOnd hand was ?

Rickster · 3 November 2011, 10:22 AM

Great post!

dddrees · 3 November 2011, 11:02 AM

That's real cool. I'll imagine he has a number of interesting stories. I would imagine he is a bit unhappy about the one that got away.

wokafu · 3 November 2011, 12:32 PM

cool story...love it..

SWIMPRUF · 3 November 2011, 03:35 PM

Really cool story, sad thing is he didn't know what these things are worth today...

rpmooreii · 3 November 2011, 03:44 PM

I had a '67 5513 that I purchased from the original owner who was a Force Recon Marine who did multiple tours in Viet Nam. He mentioned that Force Recon was issued Tudor Subs but most of the guys purchased Rolex and used them instead. He also mentioned taping over but said it was because the bracelet would pop open when parachuting in behind enemy lines.

Wish I still had the watch but it is in good hands with a fellow member here.

...Roger

TheDude · 3 November 2011, 09:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rpmooreii

I had a '67 5513 that I purchased from the original owner who was a Force Recon Marine who did multiple tours in Viet Nam. He mentioned that Force Recon was issued Tudor Subs but most of the guys purchased Rolex and used them instead. He also mentioned taping over but said it was because the bracelet would pop open when parachuting in behind enemy lines.

Wish I still had the watch but it is in good hands with a fellow member here.

...Roger

Interesting. That is certainly the right time period.

I asked my friend specifically if they were issued these or if they bought them, and he was clear that the SEALs were issued them. He was also very clear that they all wore them on nylon and that the bars were fixed. For the SEALs, the tape was just over the crystal and they would peel it back to check the time.

bayerische · 3 November 2011, 11:07 PM

Very interesting!

Thanks for sharing!

Dickson Lim · 3 November 2011, 11:44 PM

Sad SEAL, I wish I have one Milsubs! HAHA

3 November 2011, 08:07 AM	#1
TheDude "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: DC Area, USA Watch: IIc,1680 Red,16660 Posts: 4,492	Spoke with a retired Navy SEAL about Rolex Milsubs I have the great honor of being the friendly acquaintance of a retired SEAL by the name of Paul Evancoe. He served in Vietnam in SEAL team 2. Among other things today, he is the author of two Clancy-esque novels. He and I see each other every so often at the cigar shop and talk about things over a smoke. Recently, we were discussing his first book because I had just finished reading it. In it, he mentioned the SEALs looking at their Rolexes several times so I decided to ask him a bit about the watches. He confirmed that he had been issued several over the course of his time with the team. He confirmed that the hands were shaped like swords and that the bars were fixed. When I showed him some photos of Milsubs he said, "yup, that's it." Interesting to note, and he wrote this in his book - the SEALs used to put tape over the watch because the glow of the lume was so great. He also said that at one point in time, the military had modified several with a fine mesh screen under the crystal that made the light and the face only visible if you were exactly perpendicular to the face. This naturally cut the light leaking from the watch. I asked if he still had one, and he said he did until the early 80s when it was lost during a house move. He thinks the movers lifted it. He was a bit surprised when I told him what collectors are paying for them these days! Anyway, he's a fantastic guy with tons of great stories. His books are on Amazon and available via Kindle. His third book "Poison Promise" is due in January 2012. http://www.paulevancoe.com/about.html

3 November 2011, 08:48 AM	#3
Keeperoftime "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Real Name: Jeremy Location: Louisiana Watch: Rolex Posts: 2,732	Amazing history behind these little pieces of metal. Thanks for sharing! __________________ As a man is, so he sees. As the eye is formed, such are its powers. William Blake

3 November 2011, 08:51 AM	#4
Grumpy Badger "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Real Name: Mark Location: Bonny Scotland Watch: 14060M Sub (cosc) Posts: 5,280	Really interesting... Did his have the circle T on the dial? It was my understanding (and I could well be wrong) that those were only done for UKSF. __________________ Don't mind me. I'm full of scotch, bitterness and impure thoughts! "You have enemies? Good! That means you stood up for something, sometime in your life." Sir Winston Leonard Spencer-Churchill KG, OM, CH, TD, PC, DL, FRS.

3 November 2011, 09:51 AM	#6
cruvon "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Australia Posts: 4,689	Thant's an awesome story, thanks for sharing. __________________ Last thing I remember, I was Running outta sight I had to find the passage back,To the place I was before. ’Relax,’ said this Rolex place,We are programmed to receive. You can checkout any time you like, But you can never leave!

3 November 2011, 11:02 AM	#9
dddrees "TRF" Member Join Date: May 2010 Real Name: Dan Location: USA Watch: This N That Posts: 34,253	That's real cool. I'll imagine he has a number of interesting stories. I would imagine he is a bit unhappy about the one that got away. __________________ When it captures your imagination, that's when you know you have found your passion. Loyal Foot Soldier of The Nylon Nation. Card Carrying Member of the Global Association of Retro-Grouch-Curmudgeons

3 November 2011, 08:10 AM	#2
arttay10 "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Lancashire, UK Watch: ???????? Posts: 2,187	That's the great thing about vintage.... The stories that fuel and back up the interest....

3 November 2011, 09:54 AM	#7
jedly1 "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: mel(oz)/Yorks(uk) Posts: 1,929	Silly detail, im sure he'll think you are mad for asking ... Can you ask what colour the secOnd hand was ?

3 November 2011, 10:22 AM	#8
Rickster "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Real Name: Rick Location: London, Ont. Posts: 666	Great post!

3 November 2011, 12:32 PM	#10
wokafu "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Malaysia Watch: SM300+14060M Posts: 2,012	cool story...love it..

3 November 2011, 03:35 PM	#11
SWIMPRUF "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: * Posts: 2,323	Really cool story, sad thing is he didn't know what these things are worth today... __________________ Member# 52,675 Est. 3/2011

3 November 2011, 03:44 PM	#12
rpmooreii "TRF" Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Real Name: Roger Moore Location: Santa Barbara, CA Watch: 5513,168000,116520 Posts: 75	I had a '67 5513 that I purchased from the original owner who was a Force Recon Marine who did multiple tours in Viet Nam. He mentioned that Force Recon was issued Tudor Subs but most of the guys purchased Rolex and used them instead. He also mentioned taping over but said it was because the bracelet would pop open when parachuting in behind enemy lines. Wish I still had the watch but it is in good hands with a fellow member here. ...Roger

3 November 2011, 11:07 PM	#14
bayerische "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Real Name: Andreas Location: Margaritaville Watch: Smurf Posts: 19,879	Very interesting! Thanks for sharing! __________________ Yeah, well, you know, that's just, like, your opinion, man.

3 November 2011, 11:44 PM	#15
Dickson Lim "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: planet Posts: 1,517	Sad SEAL, I wish I have one Milsubs! HAHA __________________ Dream the impossible, and make it possible!

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