Rolex & Navy Seals

[sinkholeninja]

Spotted a ND Sub on one of the Team 7 members in documentary The Line. It’s obviously not a standard issue, but still cool to see.

[vipergts]

looks cool.

[ks58]

Wow, never saw that before. Good find. That is cool.

[Jackie Daytona]

You may find this interesting. If you are into that and their stories.

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=107821

[Recondope]

I served in Naval Special Warfare from 08-12, not as a SEAL but as a crypto tech, and there were a few team guys that owned Rolex watches, Subs and SDs being the two that were most common. One of the commanders wore his on base but when we deployed (or trained) the common fare for watches were G Shocks and a couple of Suuntos. The only Rolex I saw on either deployment while in Afghanistan was a hard charging British SAS Captain that wore a black dial 16570.

[2001jesper]

Surely he puts it one the safe between missions Nevertheless, super cool to see the watch being used as a tool

[sinkholeninja]

Originally Posted by Recondope

I served in Naval Special Warfare from 08-12, not as a SEAL but as a crypto tech, and there were a few team guys that owned Rolex watches, Subs and SDs being the two that were most common. One of the commanders wore his on base but when we deployed (or trained) the common fare for watches were G Shocks and a couple of Suuntos. The only Rolex I saw on either deployment while in Afghanistan was a hard charging British SAS Captain that wore a black dial 16570.

I believe that the standard issue for British forces is G Shock as well these days. This particular scene in the documentary was from a shootout between the Team 7 and ISIS fighters in Mosul.

[Old Expat Beast]

Are you sure that's a Rolex?

[Beo3]

A dear friend of mine spent 10 years as a SEAL in the late 70's and into mid 80's. . He said that the submariner was the watch used for dives and it was returned at the end of the day.

He included that they were also beat to hell.

[HogwldFLTR]

Now a days I think it's G-Shocks, fwiw.

[maxx0ne]

Originally Posted by Recondope

I served in Naval Special Warfare from 08-12, not as a SEAL but as a crypto tech, and there were a few team guys that owned Rolex watches, Subs and SDs being the two that were most common. One of the commanders wore his on base but when we deployed (or trained) the common fare for watches were G Shocks and a couple of Suuntos. The only Rolex I saw on either deployment while in Afghanistan was a hard charging British SAS Captain that wore a black dial 16570.

That is spot on. If it’s not gps watches then g shocks it is. On deployment they’re many subs being worn because it ties the watch to some action to later pass the watch to their kids.

[Hollie_Rollie]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

Are you sure that's a Rolex?

That’s a good call. It definitely looks like one at first glance


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[MrGoat]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

Are you sure that's a Rolex?

Sure doesn’t look like Mercedes hands to me.


Sent from my Apple privacy invasion product

[bridgs]

Good catch!

[Greglaw]

Definitely not a Rolex.

[sheldonsmith]

Here’s a Seal wearing a Submariner on an obstacle course on Minus4Plus6.com

https://www.minus4plus6.com/ringtone...Helmet_Cam.mp4

~ Sheldon

[Richard Carver]

During Viet Nam the Navy issued Tudor subs to UDT teams (UDT is military abbreviation for blowing s**t up underwater).

It's a fascinating history, google it, lots of information.




Most of the frogmen kept their Tudors, don't know if that was OK with the Navy or not. :)

[sinkholeninja]

Originally Posted by Beo3

A dear friend of mine spent 10 years as a SEAL in the late 70's and into mid 80's. . He said that the submariner was the watch used for dives and it was returned at the end of the day.

He included that they were also beat to hell.

Cool, didn’t know that. I believe that Tudor Subs were a standard issue watch for the Seals a while back.

[sinkholeninja]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

Are you sure that's a Rolex?

I’ll try to grab a better screenshot and repost.

[sinkholeninja]

Originally Posted by Richard Carver

During Viet Nam the Navy issued Tudor subs to UDT teams (UDT is military abbreviation for blowing s**t up underwater).

It's a fascinating history, google it, lots of information.




Most of the frogmen kept their Tudors, don't know if that was OK with the Navy or not. :)

Exactly, was actually just replying to another comment regarding Tudor Subs. Hodinkee did an amazing Talking Watches episode with a retired Seal, Moki Martin, where he talked about his Tudor Sub and the missions he’s been on:

https://www.hodinkee.com/articles/ta...es-moki-martin

[HogwldFLTR]

Originally Posted by Richard Carver

During Viet Nam the Navy issued Tudor subs to UDT teams (UDT is military abbreviation for blowing s**t up underwater).

It's a fascinating history, google it, lots of information.




Most of the frogmen kept their Tudors, don't know if that was OK with the Navy or not. :)

Underwater Demolition Teams, Pretty tough groups. Nice photos!

[swiss_seth]

I wouldnt wear a Rolex into combat. If I were to get fragged or captured why give the junto chief a nice watch. Lol


G shock all the way with everyone i have seen deploy too

[S52]

This thread should be the only response to any

"safe to shower, wash my hands, swim in the pool, swing a golf club" with my rolex type threads we get on here.

[cr420]

It’s a Submariner, it’s documented in a book about this deployment.

[BLACKHORSE 6]

More Navy SEAL and Rolex/Tudor content:

https://www.hodinkee.com/articles/ta...es-moki-martin

Also… Go Army! Beat Navy!

[cr420]

That was a great interview, thanks for sharing it

[BLACKHORSE 6]

Originally Posted by cr420

That was a great interview, thanks for sharing it

Talking Watches is pretty much the best thing Hodinkee has going, and that’s my favorite of the bunch. The best part was when they showed the picture of him wearing his Tudor while on patrol in Vietnam. He’s also rocking some sort of beret as headgear. All the SEALs I ever met down range always had to be stylish while on the job!

[NYC6]

https://www.rolexmagazine.com/2017/0...ubmariner.html

Brits SBS were also issued Submariners at some point in time.

[Oldbigmouth]

Several operators and contractors wear a Rolex in case they find themselves in a situation that they may need to trade their way out of. Kind of a last line of defense bartering tool. Not many things you can carry that have such brand recognition and value in a small package.

[Recondope]

Originally Posted by Oldbigmouth

Several operators and contractors wear a Rolex in case they find themselves in a situation that they may need to trade their way out of. Kind of a last line of defense bartering tool. Not many things you can carry that have such brand recognition and value in a small package.

This was cold war era CIA clandestine services personnel typically working alone and under non-official cover who would wear a Rolex for those purposes. And that was a personal decision that they made. Perhaps some still do in modern days but I do not believe it is commonplace. JSOC units have been known to be issued "barter kits," that contain US currency and gold when operating in non-permissive environments in covert capacity for a worst case scenario.