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Navy SEALs and their Watches, Part 1

 
 By: cazalea : November 12th, 2018-21:07
Hi Guys, I've been teasing the Rolex Forum a bit with photos of two Tudor Submariners that I had the opportunity to clean and polish. Now I can tell you some of the story behind those watches, and a few other watches I've been happy to play around with. U...  

Navy SEALs and their Watches, Part 2

 
 By: cazalea : April 21st, 2015-11:33
In this series I am providing some background on US Navy SEALs and their Rolex, Tudor and Seiko watches. In this post I'd like to focus on a particular gentleman name Moki Martin, who brought me some Tudors to refresh. Here we are: Gary, Mrs C, and Moki. ...  

One of the best posts I've read on this board

 
 By: ChristianDK : February 22nd, 2017-20:28
In the 13 years I have been here. A big thank you for putting together this, and sharing these wonderful and fascinating stories. Sincerely Christian

Thank you very much

 
 By: cazalea : February 22nd, 2017-21:06
Moki is a great guy and it\'s a privilege for me to share his stories, while the sun is still shining... Cazalea ...  

Moki‘s stainless steel bracelet from the Philippines

 
 By: stromer : May 23rd, 2019-11:38
Dear Cazalea, my wife and myself are currently spending our vacation in California and are staying with friends in the Sacramento area before heading south. Our friend retired as a Colonel from U.S. Army after serving in different joint operations and pro... 

Good observations & the answers

 
 By: cazalea : May 23rd, 2019-13:26
Moki just confirmed the details for me. MOKI's bracelet with curved wings and parachute was a very early model, and designed by an Army Special Forces guy who was in the Philippines - hence the tanks and curved wings. At a reunion a couple years ago I got...  

Thanks a lot, Cazalea and Moki!

 
 By: stromer : May 24th, 2019-10:09
That‘s what I would call a complete answer to a question! It is so interesting to hear the details behind a story My friend earned his own jump wings (Army) during his career and was quite interested to heat how this story would go. Thanks again, also fro... 

Navy SEALs and their Watches, Part 3

 
 By: cazalea : April 21st, 2015-11:35
This is Part 3 of my report on Navy SEALs and their watches. It's time to look at the Seiko dive watch worn by a recently-retired SEAL today. Still in his Forties, my most-recently-retired SEAL friend is named Derrick. A 26-year veteran of the US Navy and...  

Navy SEALs and their Watches, Part 4

 
 By: cazalea : April 21st, 2015-11:40
This is the final segment of my study of the Rolex, Seiko and Tudor watches worn by US Navy SEAL team members (retired). I will conclude with some watches that belong to gentlement I don't know well. I have taken photos of their Rolexes while servicing th...  

Please Please Please expand and give us some more!!!

 
 By: ik2000 : April 21st, 2015-12:26
Absolutely riveting reading, you've given us access to the personal world of individuals that is usually shrouded in either secrecy, or 'myths'! Thoroughly enjoyed every word, and would definitely read more! I guess I just find these guys a pleasant relie... 

Epic post dear Mike

 
 By: Ares501 - Mr Green : April 21st, 2015-13:05
Do we really need to answer Your last question? :) Sincerely D

Thank you for these great stories! :)

 
 By: blomman Mr Blue : April 21st, 2015-15:17
Very enjoyable read! Best Blomman

What a thread!

 
 By: Mark in Paris : April 21st, 2015-15:17
These articles are fantastic to read. The watches look incredible and full of historical "material". Thanks a lot for this work. Cheers, Mark

Naval vessels very stealthy these days

 
 By: MTF : April 21st, 2015-15:55
These are not even the stealthiest ones made.... ...  

I put in some of the stealthier ones, but you must have missed them

 
 By: cazalea : April 21st, 2015-18:14
they are so stealthy, they are invisible! Actually the Navy trains sea lions and dolphins and beluga whales to help with surveillance of its ships. We see these trainers in action - a pair of outboards with red/orange patches are the giveaway sign that tr...  

Wow, Mike!

 
 By: mkvc : April 21st, 2015-23:27
I enjoy my watch hobby, but I have to admit your watch hobby is much more interesting than mine. Thanks for another superb series.

Thank you

 
 By: Mally : April 22nd, 2015-01:42
for this excellent post and great insight into the lives of these very brave men (& their watches, of course!) Cordially Mally

Amazing thread Mike!

 
 By: andrewluff : April 23rd, 2015-09:40
I enjoyed reading every word and the accompanying stories and pictures. Thanks for taking the time and sharing this information with us... it is amazing these stories which are now shared as it will be a shame for them to be lost one day. Cheers Andrew

amazing read...

 
 By: ocwatching : April 23rd, 2015-13:11
thanks for this... Thank you to all the service folks that protect this land...

Trading war stories for watch stories.

 
 By: patrick_y : April 26th, 2015-12:21
Nice stories! And nice watches! Does any Navy Seal wear a single JLC Seal Watch?

OK, more stories

 
 By: cazalea : April 21st, 2015-13:38
A couple short stories from Brownie, the USAF flier: We didn't have reason to get into the higher regions of supersonic flight when we were flying missions at our home base in the US. In Spain, however, an opportunity arose where we were asked to take our...  

Great stories! (nt)

 
 By: MTF : April 21st, 2015-15:49
:-)

We should not forget that Blancpain provided some great watches to the SEALs.

 
 By: amanico : April 21st, 2015-13:51
The Milspec: The TR 900: Super post, Mike! Best, Nicolas ...  

"Blancpain provided...watches...to the SEAL's..." curious for more details

 
 By: ThomasM : April 23rd, 2015-16:43
Hi Nico, provided as in gifted to individual team member, or...

Wow now that is some great reporting.

 
 By: Bill : April 21st, 2015-22:12
There is so much to absorb i need to patiently read through but as a fan of Rolex and the real life stories from original owners is so cool. So many thanks to the kind men who shared their stories and for your kind patience in listening and sharing. Bill

What a fascinating topic!

 
 By: pingtsai : April 21st, 2015-22:40
Amazing report Mike. The whole military culture is so interesting so it's great to see that they appreciate watches too. Great job, bravo.

A very Fantastic series and fine images,

 
 By: DonWishnow ( Wish) : April 22nd, 2015-18:35
My wife and I had a family Friend (May he Rest in Peace) that was in UDT and went on to become a Navy Diver. Saw many practice run when I would visit Hampton Roads, VA. Please continue this very fine series and Thank You. Bravo Zulu to the Members.

Great thread !

 
 By: RobCH : April 23rd, 2015-07:37
Thanks

That was true fun to read, Mike!

 
 By: CaliforniaJed : April 23rd, 2015-17:24
After reading your post, who can deny that our watches are often a true reflection or our personalities? Best, Jed

Thank you very much Cazalea

 
 By: Gelato Monster : November 13th, 2018-00:32
The best story of watch and owners. Thank you to all Serviceman

Cool write up!

 
 By: claes_t : November 13th, 2018-02:26
Being former Swedish navy my self, I’m pleased to see a Swedish boat in the first picture.

Absolutely brilliant post

 
 By: farhad19620 : November 13th, 2018-06:12
one of the best I have read on any watch forum. Thank you.