Field Marshal Sir Charles Ronald Llewelyn Guthrie, Baron Guthrie of Craigiebank, wearing a Rolex datejust and likely a Panerai Luminor.
Watches in the wild: Jay Morton Former UKSF (SAS) rocking a Breitiling Emergency.
Jay Morton had a distinguished 14-year military career, with a decade of service in the UK Special Forces ( SAS ) and four years with the Parachute Regiment. He went on four tours in Afghanistan, three in Iraq, and two covert deployments.. His personal choice of watch a Breitling Emergency
Rolex GMT Master Pepsi worn by Michael Edwin Thornton — U.S. Navy SEAL & Medal of Honor Recipient
We love seeing watches out in the wild. Today’s feature is a Rolex GMT-Master “Pepsi”, worn by Michael Edwin Thornton — U.S. Navy SEAL and Medal of Honor recipient.
A tool watch paired with a life defined by service, endurance, and quiet courage.
Background
Full Name: Michael Edwin Thornton
Born: March 23, 1949 — Greenville, South Carolina, USA
Service: United States Navy (1967–1992)
Final Rank: Lieutenant
Units: SEAL Team 1, SEAL Team 6, Naval Advisory Group, MACV-SOG
Conflicts: Vietnam War, Gulf War
Major Awards: Medal of Honor, Silver Star, three Bronze Stars (with “V”), two Purple Hearts
Early Life & Enlistment
Thornton graduated high school in 1967 and immediately enlisted in the U.S. Navy. He completed BUD/S training in Coronado, California, and was assigned to SEAL Team 1, deploying shortly thereafter to Southeast Asia.
Heroism in Vietnam
Medal of Honor Action — October 31, 1972
During a reconnaissance mission near the Cửa Việt River Base in Quảng Trị Province, Thornton’s patrol was surrounded by heavy enemy fire. Another SEAL officer, Thomas R. Norris, was critically wounded and presumed dead.
Ignoring the ongoing firefight, Thornton ran back through enemy fire, neutralized threats at close range, and carried Norris to the water’s edge. He inflated Norris’s life vest and towed him—along with another wounded teammate—through rough surf for nearly two hours until rescue craft arrived.
For these actions, Thornton was awarded the Medal of Honor by President Richard Nixon on October 15, 1973.
Thornton remains the only Medal of Honor recipient in more than a century to have received the award for saving the life of another Medal of Honor recipient.
Later Career
Following Vietnam, Thornton served as a BUD/S instructor, trained with the British Special Boat Service, and in 1980 became a founding member of SEAL Team Six, the Navy’s first dedicated counter-terrorism unit.
He earned his commission as a Navy officer in 1982, served through Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, and retired in 1992 as a lieutenant.
Legacy
Michael Edwin Thornton’s story is one of loyalty, resolve, and action under impossible conditions. His Medal of Honor citation reflects courage “above and beyond the call of duty”—not in pursuit of recognition, but in service to his teammate and his mission.
A Rolex GMT-Master was built to endure demanding environments. In Thornton’s case, it’s worn by someone who lived them.
Omega Launches The Fourth Generation Seamaster 'Planet Ocean"
Omega Launches The Fourth Generation Seamaster 'Planet Ocean"
What’s new
• Omega has introduced the ** fourth generation ** of its “ Seamaster Planet Ocean” dive-watch line.
• This update marks a significant redesign: new case shape, thinner profile, and redesigned bracelet.
• Key specs: 42 mm diameter, 13.79 mm thickness, lug-to-lug 47.5 mm.
• Case material: steel + grade 5 titanium inner ring; dial colours include black, blue, and orange versions.
• Movement: Omega’s Calibre 8912 (Master Chronometer certified) with ~60-hour power reserve.
• Water resistance: 600 m.
• Bracelet/strap: redesigned slimmer links and rubber-strap options.
• Pricing (US): starts at US $8,600 on rubber strap for black/blue; higher for orange and on bracelet.
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The cool
• The redesign is the biggest leap yet for the Planet Ocean line, making it more wearable (because it’s thinner) and visually sharper.
• The updates reflect Omega’s push to make the model more modern and refined while retaining its dive-watch credentials.
• For your watch business interests: this signals where Omega is putting its design-muscle and could affect secondary-market interest or trade-in values of earlier Planet Ocean models.
The New Patek Philippe Cubitus Collection
Reference 5821/1A – Stainless Steel, Green Dial, Time & Date 45mm Retail Price $41,243
5821/1A: Case: 45mm (10-4 o’clock), 44.5mm width (3-9 o'clock incl. crown) x 8.3mm thickness x 44.9mm lug-to-lug - stainless steel case, two-part construction - vertical satin-finished and contrasting polished accents - sapphire crystals front and back - screw-down crown - 30m water-resistant
Dial: Sunburst olive green, horizontally embossed - white gold applied hour markers with white luminescent coating - White gold rounded baton-style hands with white luminescent coating
Movement: Calibre 26-330 S C - in-house - Patek Philippe Seal - automatic with central 21k gold rotor - 212 components incl. 30 jewels - 27mm x 3.3mm - 28,800 vibrations/hour - Gyromax balance, Spiromax hairspring - 35h-45h power reserve - hours, minutes, seconds and date
Bracelet: integrated steel bracelet, satin-finished and polished - fold-over clasp with lockable size-adjustment system (4 position micro-adjustement)
Reference: 5821/1A-001
Reference 5821/1AR – Stainless Steel & Rose Gold, Blue Dial, Time & Date 45mm Retail Price $61,276
5821/1AR: Case: 45mm (10-4 o’clock), 44.5mm width (3-9 o'clock incl. crown) x 8.3mm thickness x 44.9mm lug-to-lug - 18k rose gold and stainless steel case, two-part construction - vertical satin-finished and contrasting polished accents - sapphire crystals front and back - screw-down crown - 30m water-resistant
Dial: Sunburst blue, horizontally embossed - rose gold applied hour markers with white luminescent coating - rose gold rounded baton-style hands with white luminescent coating
Movement: Calibre 26-330 S C - in-house - Patek Philippe Seal - automatic with central 21k gold rotor - 212 components incl. 30 jewels - 27mm x 3.3mm - 28,800 vibrations/hour - Gyromax balance, Spiromax hairspring - 35h-45h power reserve - hours, minutes, seconds and date
Bracelet: integrated 18k rose gold and steel bracelet, satin-finished and polished - fold-over clasp with lockable size-adjustment system (4 position micro-adjustement)
Reference: 5821/1AR-001
Reference 5822P – Platinum, Blue Dial, Instantaneous Grand Date, Day, And Moon Phase 45mm Retail Price $88,378
5822P: Case: 45mm (10-4 o’clock), 44.5mm width (3-9 o'clock incl. crown) x 9.6mm mm thickness x 44.9mm lug-to-lug - 950 platinum case, two-part construction - vertical satin-finished and contrasting polished accents - Baguette diamond (0.02 ct) set into the bezel at 6 o’clock - sapphire crystals front and back - screw-down crown - 30m water-resistant
Dial: Sunburst blue, horizontally embossed - white gold applied baton-style hour markers with white luminescent coating - White gold rounded baton-style hands with white luminescent coating - Double aperture for the grand date in an embossed, beveled frame - Subsidiary hands in white gold painted white
Movement: Calibre 240 PS CI J LU - - in-house - Patek Philippe Seal - automatic with 22k gold micro-rotor - 353 components incl. 52 jewels - 31mm x 4.76mm - 21,600 vibrations/hour - Gyromax balance, Spiromax hairspring - 38h-48h power reserve - hours, minutes, small seconds, moon phase, instantaneous day of the week and instantaneous big date
Strap: navy blue strap with cream stitching - Composite material, fabric pattern - 950 Platinum Cubitus fold-over clasp
Reference: 5822P-001
New Inventory: Tudor Black Bay Bronze m79250ba-0001 Unworn. Includes Box and Papers/Warranty.
Tudor Black Bay Bronze m79250ba-0001 Unworn. Includes Box and Papers/Warranty.
https://www.watchnoble.com/tudor-black-bay/tudor-black-bay-bronze-m79250ba-0001
New Inventory: Pre-Owned Rolex 126900 Air King Black Dial Stainless Steel
New Inventory: Pre-owned Rolex 216570 Explorer II White Dial Stainless Steel 42mm
New inventory: Pre-owned Rolex 16700 GMT Master Pepsi Blue/Red Bezel Steel Oyster Bracelet
The Rolex 16700 GMT Master Pepsi: A Timeless Classic
The Rolex 16700 GMT Master, affectionately known as the "Pepsi" due to its iconic red and blue bezel, is a celebrated model in Rolex’s legendary GMT Master series. Originally designed for international pilots and travelers, the GMT Master is revered for its functionality, precision, and unmistakable aesthetic. The 16700 GMT Master, produced from 1988 to 1999, marked the final generation of the original GMT Master line before the transition to the GMT Master II series.
The Rolex GMT Master was introduced in 1954 in collaboration with Pan Am Airways, at a time when long-distance international flights were becoming increasingly common. Pilots needed a reliable way to track multiple time zones, and Rolex’s solution was the GMT Master, featuring a 24-hour hand and a rotating bezel to display an additional time zone.
The 16700 model, released in 1988, continued the legacy of the original GMT Master but with several technical updates, including enhanced durability and functionality. However, it retained much of the classic design DNA, including the Pepsi bezel that made earlier models so recognizable.
The red and blue bezel of the Rolex 16700 GMT Master Pepsi is one of the most recognizable features in the world of luxury watches. The two-tone color scheme was both practical and symbolic. Red was used to denote daylight hours (6 AM to 6 PM), while blue represented the nighttime (6 PM to 6 AM), making it easy for wearers to track time at a glance. The color scheme also reflects a certain vibrancy and boldness, setting the Pepsi model apart from other luxury timepieces that tend to stick with more conservative palettes.
Over the years, the color of the Pepsi bezel became a defining characteristic of the GMT Master line, and collectors sought this model as a hallmark of the brand’s craftsmanship.
Key Features of the 16700
Movement: The Rolex 16700 houses the Rolex Caliber 3175 movement, an automatic movement offering reliable performance and precision. Unlike the GMT Master II models, the 16700 did not feature an independently adjustable 24-hour hand, meaning users could not set the second time zone independently of the local time. However, this made it a simpler, more straightforward timepiece.
Case and Materials: The 16700 features a 40mm stainless steel case, a material renowned for its durability and corrosion resistance. Its classic Oyster case, with a screw-down crown, ensures the watch is water-resistant to a depth of 100 meters (330 feet).
Crystal: It was equipped with a sapphire crystal, offering excellent scratch resistance. This was a modern upgrade, as older models used acrylic crystals, which were more prone to scratches and wear.
Dial: The dial of the 16700 remains uncluttered and legible, with luminous markers that improve visibility in low light conditions. It also features the iconic Mercedes hands (the hour hand with a circle near the end), further establishing its identity as a tool watch.
Bracelet: The 16700 came with Rolex’s famous Oyster bracelet, a robust and comfortable option, adding to the overall versatility of the watch. Some models were also offered with the Jubilee bracelet, a more refined alternative.
The production of the 16700 ended in 1999, as Rolex shifted its focus toward the GMT Master II line. The GMT Master II offered enhanced functionality, including an independently adjustable hour hand, allowing users to track a third time zone by using the 24-hour hand and bezel. Despite this innovation, the simplicity and vintage charm of the 16700 remained attractive to collectors and Rolex enthusiasts.
The Rolex 16700 GMT Master Pepsi has become a highly sought-after model, especially as vintage and neo-vintage timepieces have gained popularity in recent years. Its relatively short production run, combined with the fact that it was the last of the original GMT Master series, gives it a special place in Rolex history. Moreover, the Pepsi bezel, while featured on other models, maintains its iconic status with the 16700.
Rolex releases the new Deepsea Challenge 50mm diver watch
Rolex releases its first all-titanium watch as part of its regular lineup. The new Rolex deepsea Challenge goes deeper. With a water resistance of 11,000 meters (36,090 feet), it is now the king of dive watches (for now). The case size is a large 50mm. That is bigger than the good old Breitling Bentley models at 48mm. The watch is made of as Rolex calls it the RLX titanium (a grade 5 titanium). They have also brought back the polished chamfers on the lugs. All this big tech ultra dive watch comes at a big price tag of $26,000 USD. You could get a gold watch for that. We are sure this watch will have a following. Those with larger wrists, who want to make a statement or just own the best dive watch as for as tech goes will apply. We think it is a cool watch as far as innovation goes.