SIGforum
Vietnam veteran and his watch....

This topic can be found at:
https://sigforum.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/320601935/m/4400061474

September 03, 2020, 08:23 AM
tacfoley
Vietnam veteran and his watch....
If you are a watch lover, and even more, a veteran of Vietnam, then you MUST watch this two part article on youtube. A wounded US Marine is getting care and attention in the jungle from a Corpsman - take my watch, he asks.

Fast forward fifty years, to the very day, and he is holding it in his hands again, battered and worn. This is the story of two US Marines and the memories that rejoined them, and of Rolex/Tudor Watch Company, who made it like new again.

The Long Return, Part I: Restoring The Tudor That Took A Bullet In Vietnam -

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oItoh4YOupI

You really can't put a price on this happening.

Have something handy to wipe your eyes, y'know, just in case there's some dust around, eh?
September 03, 2020, 09:07 AM
Snake207
That was BEYOND awesome!

Thank you for sharing that.


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September 03, 2020, 09:16 AM
mdblanton
That's some terrific engineering and an even more awesome story behind it!

Michael
September 03, 2020, 09:31 AM
rsbolo
That was very interesting. What a great story.


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Yes, Para does appreciate humor.
September 03, 2020, 09:36 AM
mcrimm
Outstanding. Thanks for sharing. Part 2 shows the refurbishment of the watch. And, Yes, there was a lot of dust in the air this morning.


I'm sorry if I hurt you feelings when I called you stupid - I thought you already knew - Unknown
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When you have no future, you live in the past. " Sycamore Row" by John Grisham
September 03, 2020, 10:01 AM
Yanert98
Thank you for sharing this.
What a fantastic story.


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"If you are not prepared to use force to defend civilization, then be prepared to accept barbarism.." - Thomas Sowell
September 03, 2020, 10:07 AM
Skull Leader
Here is part 2 that covers the restoration.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZXsl-zDdWM

Very cool!
September 03, 2020, 10:09 AM
FiveFiveSixFan
That was great! Thanks, tac.
September 03, 2020, 10:15 AM
71 TRUCK
Great story, thank you for posting it.



The Second Amendment to the United States Constitution.

A well regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.

As ratified by the States and authenticated by Thomas Jefferson, Secretary of State


NRA Life Member
September 03, 2020, 10:49 AM
jhe888
This is a good story. Cheers to all involved.



The fish is mute, expressionless. The fish doesn't think because the fish knows everything.
September 03, 2020, 11:07 AM
YellowJacket
Sincere thanks for sharing.


There ain't much difference in the man I want to be and the man that I really am.
September 03, 2020, 11:29 AM
Mars_Attacks
It has the Aegler movement.


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Eeewwww, don't touch it!
Here, poke at it with this stick.
September 03, 2020, 11:33 AM
Boss1
Incredible.

Restoration would have been a tough call. But I can definitely see how awesome it would be to have back on the wrist in all it's battle scared glory and pass it on to future generations. That watch has an epic story.

This is one of those stories that help explain collector's 'afflictions.' Big Grin

ETA - Props to the Nato strap...without it, that watch would probably still be buried in the dirt over there.

Boss


A real life Sisyphus...
"It's not the critic who counts..." TR
Exodus 23.2: Do not follow the crowd in doing wrong...
Despite some people's claims to the contrary, 5 lbs. is actually different than 12 lbs.
It's never simple/easy.
September 03, 2020, 12:28 PM
HK Ag
The only thing that watch needed after the amazing refurb was a vintage bezel.

That would balance the dial and un-lumed hands.

Thanks for posting.

HK Ag
September 03, 2020, 01:12 PM
drill sgt
Semper Fi brother Semper Fi. As the "Gunney" would say = "Out F----ing Standing". ................ drill sgt.
September 03, 2020, 03:44 PM
jhe888
They restored it as little as possible, I think. A vintage bezel would have been great, but I am guessing there just wasn't one available.



The fish is mute, expressionless. The fish doesn't think because the fish knows everything.
September 03, 2020, 03:45 PM
SigLaw
That was outstanding and Rolex/Tudor did an amazing job bringing the watch back to life. I really enjoyed this, thank you.


________________________
"Don't mistake activity for achievement." John Wooden, "Wooden on Leadership"
September 03, 2020, 03:55 PM
maxwayne
A very impressive story.
September 03, 2020, 04:16 PM
wreckdiver
Awesome story about an awesome experience. Heroes, all of them!!


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"Once abolish the God, and the Government becomes the God." --- G.K. Chesterton
September 03, 2020, 10:41 PM
P210
Great story. Thanks for posting it.