[ActionJ]

I need some help from my fellow WUS WIS!

A buddy of mine is going through BUD/S training right now (Navy SEAL pipeline) and if he hangs in there for a bit longer, he will secure Hell Week soon. If he makes it through, he wants a watch that the original UDT / Frogmen / SEALs wore back in the day. I'm not quite sure how far "back in the day" he means, but this is really an open question as I'm not in the least bit knowledgeable about military watches.

Any feedback or direction is appreciated. Best, VintageArmadillo

 

[Hardscrabbler]

I met a guy who went through BUDS in the 1980s, and he said they wore Casio "Arnies".

Also take a look at Cabot Watch Company. They offer new versions of service-issued watches from the 1970s/1980s they developed for the British military.


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[cuthbert]

In the 60s and early 70s they were using the Benrus Type 1 and 2 if I remember correctly. Also quite a lot civilian Seikos.

 

[yankeexpress]

Casio Arnie then, Casio G-Shock now

AMW-320, kind of a stupid watch for a Navy Seal. A G-Shock is a much better watch for the job.

 

[Brother Rat]

I met one with a Kobold once, but the most common SEAL watch is a G Shock. Though back in the day, I believe they were issued some form of Seiko diver for a time.

 

[longstride]

In the 60's - 80's Rolex 5513.

70's and 80's Benrus Type 1 or 2...

...MKII's take on the Benrus, the Paradive 3 just recently made available...

 

[cuthbert]

In the 60's - 80's Rolex 5513.

Suure...we all know that every GI in WWII wore a Rolex.:roll:

And absolutely not the American made (to comply to the military procurement policy of "buy American") Fifty Fathoms Rayville Torneau:

http://people.timezone.com/jmerino/history50.pdf

Unlike the fantomatic Rolexes there are pics that prove it was used when Kennedy was Prez.

But we all know that for the "Superlative brand" the US Navy procurement must have made an exception.

 

[longstride]

Cuthbert you are 100% right the Tornek Rayville's were indeed an issue watch for the UDT (pre-SEAL frogmen) in the 1960's they were available for a few years but there is strong evidence (mostly anecdotal) that specialized outfits like the Navy SEAL's and some Ranger and Green Beret elements were issued with Rolex Sub's.

That doesn't mean all or even most US Military ever got near a Rolex as an issue watch but all military personel did have access to buying Rolex watches at very respectable discounts through the military PX stores.

 

[longstride]

Cuthbert you are 100% right the Tornek Rayville's were indeed an issue watch for the UDT (pre-SEAL frogmen) in the 1960's they were available for a few years but there is strong evidence (mostly anecdotal) that specialized outfits like the Navy SEAL's and some Ranger and Green Beret elements were issued with Rolex Sub's.

That doesn't mean all or even most US Military ever got near a Rolex as an issue watch but all military personel did have access to buying Rolex watches at very respectable discounts through the military PX stores.

Welcome To RolexMagazine.com...Home Of Jake's Rolex World Magazine..Optimized for iPad and iPhone: U.S. NAVY SEALS Rolex Submariner Heritage

...and this following account is excellent...Lt Mike Slattery....an active duty UDT/SEAL during the Vietnam conflict....in this webpage there is his account of some of his missions in 1969, you will find pictures of his issued Tudor Sub on an Olongapo bracelet...

http://www.dealingtime.com/udt/

There are several former US military personnel here on WUS who have related using Seiko 6306/6309's during their service careers in special forces. I can't point to any specific threads but if you want to search im sure you will find the threads!

 

[longstride]

So ActionJ my recommendation for current production watches that have historical links to real vintage issued Navy SEAL watches I would look at the following...

#1. MKII Paradive 3. http://boutique.mkiiwatches.com/specialist-series/paradive-gen-3.html

#2. Seiko SRP 777... https://www.jomashop.com/seiko-watch-srp773j1.html?nosto=productpage-nosto-1

...so neither of these watches are actual historic 'Navy SEAL' watches but they have their DNA firmly linked to watches that were used extensively by SEAL's in bygone decades.

Many personel today wear Casio G-Shock's they are very rugged and utilitarian but don't have much Mojo like the older watches do.

I need some help from my fellow WUS WIS!

A buddy of mine is going through BUD/S training right now (Navy SEAL pipeline) and if he hangs in there for a bit longer, he will secure Hell Week soon. If he makes it through, he wants a watch that the original UDT / Frogmen / SEALs wore back in the day. I'm not quite sure how far "back in the day" he means, but this is really an open question as I'm not in the least bit knowledgeable about military watches.

Any feedback or direction is appreciated. Best, VintageArmadillo

 

[cuthbert]

Cuthbert you are 100% right the Tornek Rayville's were indeed an issue watch for the UDT (pre-SEAL frogmen) in the 1960's they were available for a few years but there is strong evidence (mostly anecdotal) that specialized outfits like the Navy SEAL's and some Ranger and Green Beret elements were issued with Rolex Sub's.

That doesn't mean all or even most US Military ever got near a Rolex as an issue watch but all military personel did have access to buying Rolex watches at very respectable discounts through the military PX stores.

Welcome To RolexMagazine.com...Home Of Jake's Rolex World Magazine..Optimized for iPad and iPhone: U.S. NAVY SEALS Rolex Submariner Heritage

...and this following account is excellent...Lt Mike Slattery....an active duty UDT/SEAL during the Vietnam conflict....in this webpage there is his account of some of his missions in 1969, you will find pictures of his issued Tudor Sub on an Olongapo bracelet...

Dealing Time

There are several former US military personnel here on WUS who have related usinf Seiko 6306/6309's during their service careers in special forces. I can't point to any specific threads but if you want to search im sure you will find the threads!

Yes I am aware that some LRRP and Seals used privately purchased watches especially if they had to operate outside South Vietnam (a military issued watch found in Laos or Cambodia would have been the proved proof of the US involvement in the conflict outside the political boundaries definied by Washington), but I doubt they were issued.

The 6306/9 arrived too late to see service in Vietnam, the 6105 was the Vietnam Seiko along with other models (the only one I remember is the 7002) as it was cheap and rugged, at that time a Submariner costed like three 6105, the Tudor in question was even more affordable, so we aren't really talking about luxury watches issued by the government to few lucky servicemen.

 

[longstride]

I don't think the enquiry was limited to watches worn in the 1960's - I'm glad that you are aware that SEAL's had Rollies and Tudors - the main question is what did SEAL's wear in previous decades, in the 60's it was the Rayville the Rolex and the Tudor, the Rolex and Tudor continued on into the 70's and 80's along with the Benrus. from the 60's to the present you will find quite a few Seiko's of various stripes 6217's, 6105's, 6306 & 6309's, 7002's and I'm sure SKX's plus tons of Aqualand's and Suunto's etc....

The superstars are going to be the Rolex the Tudor I'm sure more than a few Omega Seamaster 300's and away from that big dollar club a lot of mechanical Seiko's....I think the later Quartz watches are tough and accurate but probably aren't what the OP was posting about or looking for.

Modern production watches I have outlined above, Blancpain 50 fathoms is there also as is the Tudor but is getting into big $$$ territory, the MKII's and the Seiko are within reach for most, real historic watches are going to be cabinet queens.

 

[longstride]

Here's one more link to MWR about a SEAL: get together several years ago in San Diego. This is a partially ruined thread (victim of Photobucket sharing) but the text is still very valuable reading.....Rolex 5513's and Tudor Sub's feature throughout.

http://www.mwrforum.net/forums/show...ER!!-SEAL-Reunion-WARNING-Hairy-wrist-content!!