Vintage GMT

[repaircraftsvc]

I can not post anything on my post vintage GMT said I need 10 post and I only have 2.
I will try photos next week the watch is in shop getting custom bracelet repaired we wore out original one years ago.
See if this posts

[Tools]

The only thing you can't post is a url. Anybody can upload images using the paperclip attachment and meeting size requirements.

[repaircraftsvc]

MY CAREER WORKING AS A ROLEX GMT
WATCH FLYING THE LINE
In the realm of legendary luxury watches I am no hanger
queen watch that has been in a box stored in a safe. I am a
1969 iconic vintage gold Rolex GMT Master ref 16758 watch
that has been out flying the line. I have been out doing what I
was made for keeping GMT time for aviators.
I was bought at the United States Naval purchasing
department, Hong Kong B.C.C on 29th of October 1969. My
new owner was a flight mechanic for Air America in Saigon
RVN on Bell 204 helicopters. He was then transferred to
Udorn Thailand as a flight mechanic on CH -47 and Bell
204/205 helicopter fighting the CIA secret war in Laos.
1978 Our next flying job was on CH-47 helicopters as Flight
Engineer/Crew Chief for the Libyan Air Force.
1984 my owner was a flight mechanic at Kalitta/American
International Airways on B-727s, DC-8s and 747 aircraft
flying trips all over the world. I was there keeping time for
him.
1996 we where flying at Kitty Hawk Air Cargo on 727 in the
USA and places like Indonesia, Australia and New Zealand.
2001 worked for Sports Jet flying sports teams all over the
world on B-737 and B-757. I was there doing my job on 9-11
2001 going to England, Sweden, Canada then Denver and
other towns in the USA.
2007 Since then we have just done ground maintenance job
on C-130 aircraft.
2024 And I am working just as good as the day I was
bought

[Rebel]

Wow. What a life!!!!

Welcome aboard.

[996marty]

Sounds like a life really well lived
Great timeline and watch

[Wahlberg]

Amazing! Any other pictures from during service?

Happily retired now, you not the watch!?

[repaircraftsvc]

Originally Posted by Wahlberg

Amazing! Any other pictures from during service?

Happily retired now, you not the watch!?

Neither me or the watch are retired I am only 89.
Photo of me working note my walker

[Alwatches]

Wow what a story! Amazing watch,pilot,mechanic and man!! All the best! Cheers

[repaircraftsvc]

Here is one flight my GMT and I did every weekend back in the mid 1990s on a B 747 as a Flight Mechanic.
Saturday 0700 left Honolulu,PangoPango American Samoa,Melbourne Australia,Hong Kong,Khabaroevsk Russia,Anchorage,LAX,and back in Honolulu Tuesday 0500. My GMT Rolex did the time keeping.

[cajuntiger]

Originally Posted by repaircraftsvc

Neither me or the watch are retired I am only 89.
Photo of me working note my walker

LOVE THIS!!!
Thanks for your service, and thanks for sharing.

[repaircraftsvc]

Someone off line ask how many type of aircraft my Rolex GMT Master Concorde and I have been a Flight Mechanic on. So here is the list
Started 1969 when I got the GMT at 34 years old I was a Flight Mechanic on Bell helicopters B-204/205 then Chinook CH-47C. Then on to DC-8s,B-727,B-737,747 and B-757.I Ended being a Flight Mechanic in 2007 when I was 73 years old. From then on till May 2024 I was a ground mechanic on B-727,B-737 and C-130s ending at 89 years old and into the rocking chair in the junk yard.

[repaircraftsvc]

In the 1990s I had the hands changed to the later model one because they where easier to see at night in an aircraft.
Over the years it has also had the stem change 2 time.
top photo Air America Bell 204 and 205 helicopter on the ramp at 20A Long Chen Laos.
Next one Air America Ch-47C on ramp Udorn Thailand.
Bottom Colonel Gaddafi Libyan Air force CH-47C
More Photos later

[repaircraftsvc]

Life with leather band

[1William]

Very cool.

[Fourthirteen]

Wow! Great life and stories. Thanks so much for sharing.

[repaircraftsvc]

Here is Swift Air B-757 that I was Flight Mechanic on when we took Operation Smile to Da Nang Vietnam and Phnom Penh Cambodia. Photo is in Cambodia
This is same airplane I was on after 9/11
Once again the good old Rolex GMT did it job with the time keeping.

[Mark020]

Originally Posted by Fourthirteen

Wow! Great life and stories. Thanks so much for sharing.

This. Really superb

[rootbeer7]

Coolest man and watch to join for a longtime. Welcome.

[996marty]

Some great photos

[Davidt]

Ha excellent. I love this thread.

[repaircraftsvc]

Lets hear everybody's thoughts do we replace the faded bezel yes or NO

[Davidt]

Originally Posted by repaircraftsvc

Lets hear everybody's thoughts do we replace the faded bezel yes or NO

Definitely not.

[DKS2375]

Leave it just like it is. Wonderful watch and history!


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[Snowballs]

Thanks for your service and thanks for posting great pics.

[dhknola]

Thanks for this, best watch and story maybe ever! You rock OP!

[Jackie Daytona]

Awesome stuff, thanks for sharing. Great watch as well. I always admired the gold with the brown nipple dial and brown bezel. Just a cool watch.

Former C-130 power line mechanic here myself. Primarily in Asia, as well.

[Steph-paul]

Great post, thank you for sharing!

[repaircraftsvc]

If I am getting let me know.
The historical significance of the Rolex GMT-Master cannot be overstated. It was not only a pioneering tool for aviation but also a symbol of adventure. It graced the wrist of countless adventurers as they embarked on their journeys around the world
Air America "first in last out"was adventure,intrigue,danger,it was owned buy the US Government and operated as a CIA "air proprietary" often in dangerous combat and combat support roles behind a shroud of strict secrecy.The end came when Air America personnel risked their lives to evacuate the last Americans from Vietnam.
Like me many Air America people owned Rolex watches and over the years have passed them down in the family or soled them in their old age or like me still have them.

[repaircraftsvc]

Updated to show we papers for this watch and we where at the"battle for Skyline Ridge"the secret battle in Laos for Long Cheng (20A) 1971-1972 The NVA hoped this would be their Dien Bien Phu where they overwhelmed the French and they where hoping this would be the same against Vang Pao Hmong and Laos- Thai CIA mercenaries.BUT they failed. During this time Air America flew troops,supplies,and conducted search and rescue missions to the site.It was bloody, intense we had a lot of lives lost.

[Dom9]

Fantastic thread!