Yup. I bought my first Rolex at the Exchange in Quang Tri for $167. It was a replacement for my Omega Constellation that got stolen in Sydney.

quote:

Originally posted by Johnny 3eagles:
Yup. I bought my first Rolex at the Exchange in Quang Tri for $167. It was a replacement for my Omega Constellation that got stolen in Sydney.

Do you still have the Rolex and what model was it?

quote:

Originally posted by houndawg:
The US military doesn't issue watches. If you want a watcb while in the military, it's up to you to go to any store that sells them, and buy one. I've heard that pilots in WWII were issued Hamilton watches. In Vietnam, Rolex Submariners were popular.

My father was a B17 pilot in WWII. He was not issued a watch. He said there was a clock on the dashboard of the cockpit. I have come to understand that the navigators were probably issued wrist watches, and that makes sense.

It is possible that fighter pilots may have had wrist watches.


.

I had one of these but honestly don't remember where or when I got it other than I was on active duty or what happened to it other than I don't have it any more. It was a small, lightweight, rugged plastic case of some kind, with a quartz movement. Did what it was supposed to.




I do own a Marathon SAR NSN 6645-21-558-0133 original October 2001 contract. I acquired mine when first available. If memory serves only 200 pieces were available for purchase as the bulk of the contract was issued to Canadian search and rescue troops. Actually bought two (pictured here with the supplied rubber strap on one and an aftermarket Zulu strap on the other) but subsequently traded one off. That is a move I now regret. I bought the well designed Marathon metal bracelet for mine when it subsequently became available.

I have a GG-W-113 dated 1970

quote:

Originally posted by 71 TRUCK:

quote:

Originally posted by Johnny 3eagles:
Yup. I bought my first Rolex at the Exchange in Quang Tri for $167. It was a replacement for my Omega Constellation that got stolen in Sydney.

Do you still have the Rolex and what model was it?

No, hocked it in Ogden Kansas in 1975 enroute to Germany. We were a young family then and I needed the money to take care of my wife and two kids. I was on deferred travel, had to leave them stateside while I found a place to live. I planned on replacing it when I got there.

Oyster Perpetual Datejust. Wish I still had it. Never replaced it

At least through the 1980s, there were several watches listed on on Army MTO&E at company level. Most units that had them kept them locked up in supply rooms and only handled during 10 percent inventories. Maybe they were hand-receipted to cheap First Sergeants or Company/Battery Commanders.

I imagine they were a remnant of the days when personal watches were less common and a soldier on CQ or guard duty may need to be issued one.

The watches I remember seeing were plastic-cased ones like Bald1 pictured or stainless steel-cased Hamiltons (IIRC) of similar design.

quote:

Originally posted by houndawg:
The US military doesn't issue watches. If you want a watcb while in the military, it's up to you to go to any store that sells them, and buy one.

Completely disagree! When I entered aviation cadet training, in 1961,the USAF issued all new cadets a wristwatch.

I have a Marathon GSAR Automatic(with US Govt Markings), with a metal bracelet with US insignia. Purchased from this reputable in-line vendor. You get 5% off with first order. I will post a picture later today.

https://www.longislandwatch.co...Watch_p/ww194006.htm

I have this Navigator's Watch,



I acquired it at a militaria show back in the '90s for $25. The crystal has a crack in it that doesn't detract from the appearance, but it's not waterproof. In addition to that it could really use a new band and, right now, the battery needs replacing. I have used it for daily wear since I purchased it, replacing the battery as needed. It could really use a new seal for the the battery access cover, come to think of it.

Are you interested in legitimate vintage watches, or modern watches that are homages to vintage watches?

I ask because there’s been a trend recently with watch manufacturers to dip into the back catalog for “heritage” models. You get the benefit of modern tech (construction, movements, warranty, etc.) while still evoking the originals.

Hamilton, Bulova, even Timex make nods to their old school ones.

quote:

Originally posted by Sir Guy:
Are you interested in legitimate vintage watches, or modern watches that are homages to vintage watches?

I ask because there’s been a trend recently with watch manufacturers to dip into the back catalog for “heritage” models. You get the benefit of modern tech (construction, movements, warranty, etc.) while still evoking the originals.

Hamilton, Bulova, even Timex make nods to their old school ones.

I’d looked at some of the new Hamilton watches within the last year and I’ve considered it. I like some of their Khaki mechanical models.

But the historical part of me wants one that’s of the period.

I had a Benrus and Bulova and, IIRC, a Hamilton that I bought from someone.

I spotted the Benrus and Bulova when I was in Supply picking up a 45. I saw the watches and asked. The Supply Sergeant gave me one or both (I can't recall) and I later gave one (the Bulova) back to him that didn't work well. Maybe it was then I got the Benrus-just don't remember. Neither was new.

Benrus worked fine and I wore it till I went on R&R to Tokyo. Of course Seikos were the cat's meow and I bought two.

Sent them to my brother to keep for me and he traded them off to some girl for something. I got nothing for them.

I can't recall what happened to the Benrus, but I think I gave it to someone.

I wore the Hamilton till I was coming home and picked up another Seiko somewhere.

Bob

quote:

Originally posted by straightshooter1:
Sent them to my brother to keep for me and he traded them off to some girl for something. I got nothing for them.

A new niece or nephew, maybe?

Nope, not that.

My brother was kinda dumb (he's actually very smart and makes a lot more money now than I ever did) but back then he'd never heard of Seiko (1968) and since I sent them to him, he figured they were cheap junk, so he made a trade.

Bob