Watch Chronicles with a Fighter Pilot's Rolex GMT Pepsi 1675 | Bob's Watches
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- Опубліковано 2 жов 2024
- F-100 Fighter Pilot David Kramer joins us today with the incredible story of how he came to purchase his first watch in this episode of Watch Chronicles. Shop now: www.bobswatche...
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00:38 GMT Master 1675
00:56 “The way I got it was…”
02:02 China Fleet Club
03:12 “...and it cost $146.”
03:35 “I wore the watch through the rest of my combat missions”
05:29 Overhead demonstration of the Rolex 1675
06:18 “Turning more into jewelry piece than a tool piece…”
06:54 “Part of the uniform…”
07:48 “Vintage holds a place in my heart…”
09:54 “How many missions flying with the US Air Force?”
10:10 Interesting story out in the field
11:22 Outro
Shop the pre-owned Rolex GMT Master: www.bobswatche...
What makes an exceptional vintage Rolex watch even more incredible? A fascinating story straight from the mouth of the original owner. Even if it’s sold or passed down to a family member, the watch will become legendary because watch enthusiasts often relish in the history of the watch itself and will continue to retell its story whenever the opportunity presents itself.
We recently came across the story of Vietnam fighter pilot David Kramer and his Pepsi GMT Master, and boy, does it have quite the story to tell, complete with photos of him wearing his Rolex while in the service.
Read on or continue watching this video to hear more about how he acquired his beloved Rolex and the adventures it went on during his time in the military.
What was your first watch? Comment below for a chance to be featured in our next episode of My Watch Stories.
MY FIRST WATCH - DAVID KRAMER
It was May 1969 when F-100 fighter pilot David Kramer bought his first Rolex - a GMT Master with the famous Pepsi bezel. He was a fighter pilot in Vietnam and had made his way to the China Fleet Club, the Royal Navy’s expansive base exchange.
While he was in Hong Kong, he planned to buy a watch, camera, and stereo equipment. He purchased a Nikon F1 camera, a Nakai Tech Dec, and some speakers and a receiver. All that was left to buy was a reliable wristwatch.
During this time, he went to council with another pilot, who informed him that there was only one watch to buy, and that watch was the GMT Master.
Its dual-time capabilities and unmatched precision made it the perfect tool watch for any globetrotting fighter pilot. And for only $146, he would come to learn that it was quite the bargain that would one day become a valuable investment.
Rolex released the GMT Master in the 1950s, equipping it with an extra hand and a rotatable 24-hour bezel. By setting the GMT hand to home time, the dial is free to display local time. David’s example also features a dual-toned insert to distinguish between AM and PM hours.
Interestingly, when Kramer purchased his Rolex, the GMT Masters on base were inscribed with the Thunderbird logo, which he assumes was contracted by the Air Force. This small detail certainly piqued our interest and only adds to the overall character and value of the watch.
Kramer considered the GMT Master as part of his uniform.
He recalls that his GMT Master was stolen the first three months while stationed on the base PhuCat. He eventually got it back and still owns the watch today. In fact, it has since become something of a family heirloom that he plans on passing down to his son one day.
A watch worn every day will undoubtedly incur some signs of wear. And David’s Rolex is no different. During our interview, he also recalled the time that he was getting out of the plane and hit the watch on the rail, knocking the bezel off.
But, of course, this only adds to the rich history of the watch.
After 31 years and 184 missions, David Kramer finally retired from the military, with his trusty GMT Master still strapped to his wrist.
He had it serviced in 2017 at Springer Jewelers. To this day, it remains one of his most treasured possessions.
Although he doesn’t plan to sell his Rolex GMT Master, David is a big fan of Bob’s Watches. We are honored that he chose to share his story with us and the rest of the watch collecting community.
Vintage Rolex watches are truly a joy to collect and wear. The way that they age can be enough to capture the attention of even the most experienced luxury watch collectors.
Even the examples kept pristine in their watch boxes are irresistible because the tiniest details, from the font placement on the dial to the size and shape of the hands, are intriguing.
But what makes a watch even more exceptional aside from its outward appearance? A fascinating history and David’s Rolex certainly delivers.
When I was in the Navy in 1973, a shipmate of mine bought his two-tone Rolex Date on a Jubilee bracelet in Hong Kong for around $300. I think I was wearing a Gruen Precision at the time that I paid $35 for. I thought he was nuts, but he said he'd never have to buy another watch again. Thanks now to Facebook, I was able to reconnect with him and he still has the watch to this day. I guess he was right after all. As to the GMT, as most people know, it was designed for airline pilots so they could tell the time in another time zone, specifically Greenwich Mean Time (GMT, duh!) or as we call it in the military, Zulu Time. As a Naval Aviator myself, I relied on the clock on the instrument panel. It had a stopwatch feature and was easy to manipulate while wearing flight gloves. With my left hand working the throttle and my right hand working the stick, there was no practical way to use a wristwatch while flying, especially landing and taking off from a carrier! I never saw combat, so I have no doubt that applies there even more. An airline pilot, however, could afford the luxury of using his wristwatch. Now of course, a wristwatch isn't necessary at all in aviation. I love hearing the history of the watches people bought so many years ago, especially one from a fellow aviator who still has his GMT to this day.
Thank you, Jim, so much for tuning in and sharing your story. It is amazing to hear about your reconnection from the Navy. Best to you!
I am a retired Airman also, a Missileer. I purchased my GMT Master in 1989 for $1200 from a buddy that was buying the new GMT Master II, Coke. It was my daily wear and I kept them and keep all my GMT hands set to Zulu time. It is a very useful complication for more than just the aviators. Love David’s story. Would have like to have heard some of the things he and his watch went through. Cheers, Jock
JD,
David is old school through and through…as any professional Military Aviator, he’s not going to say a word about any mission flown. I love how he deflected the question and answered with how he damaged his watch exiting the aircraft…Classic
Thank you so much for sharing, and taking your time to watch our video, Jock. Your story, as well, is incredibly meaningful
What an amazing story .. This makes so much sense.. My dad was an instructor in the Royal Marines .. we knew he visited Hong Kong in 1969 and whilst there bought a Rolex Submariner which he wore throughout his life .. I remember playing with it as a child and twisting the bezel round and round, listening to the clicks. He was so proud of the fact it self wound, it told the date and was crazily water proof! We never knew exactly where he bought it from but knew it was somewhere linked or owned by the navy .. This would definitely have been the China Fleet Club as that sounds so familiar now having seen this. Dad passed in 2008 and sadly the whereabouts of this special sentimental time piece is now unknown as it went missing assumed stolen. On a positive it’s lovely to hear this wonderful story as it reflects dads experience in almost every way except he dived in water opposed to flying in the air. Lovely to think that two servicemen a million miles apart who dedicated their lives for the safety and freedom of others shared the same space around the same time and enjoyed their journey of life reflected in the ownership of a special beautiful watch .. this is what owning a Rolex or other meaningful watch on your lifetime is all about. Thank you David for sharing your wonderful story and Bobs watches for bringing it to us. Great job. From the UK.
Thank you so much for sharing, what a wonderful story.
I have a 1967 Rolex GMT1 Pepsi 1675 that I paid $187 at the Naval Support Facility in Naples Italy. It had the riveted bracelet that’s rather loose now.
Now, sadly these watches are a symbol of hype, purchased by posers and douchebags to “flex” around others. “Yo, check out my PePsI bro!”
As a retired military pilot, this makes me sad. Hypsters have ruined it...
Century series pilots were very bold! Would have been interested in you asking him about the Glycine Airman use.
Unfortunately it's not a tool watch anymore. Now it's a watch for rich ones. No fight jet pilot could buy it anymore due to the waiting list and to stupidity increased prices... the real history is gone...
Wish you had guy into his Fast FAC role as a Misty Pilot - those guys where an incredible breed of pilots with an extraordinarily dangerous mission set
Outstanding story, of true hero’s.
So true! Thanks for tuning in😀
2:55 The bezel appears to have a service insert. Nice watch though!
Great stories and nice share
Thank you so much for your support, Craig!