DeanS Loc: Capital City area of North Carolina

This is for you old-timers who did your thing in Viet Nam close to half century ago. I did my time in '67-'™68. There was sort of an un-written rule in my parts that you could not vacate the country unless you had your ticket punched with a Seiko, Sanyo and a Spotmatic. (Old-timers know what this means.) I acquired my Spotmatic (which I still own with its 1.4/50) as required, but was able to escape without the Sanyo and Seiko. Later, feeling guilty that I had violated my sacred oath, I acquired my Seiko after completing a tour at the Pentagon, and arriving for my final at SAC Hqtrs in Omaha. I couldn'™t bear the guilt any longer, and in August '71, I hit the BX at Offutt and picked up my Seiko. Sad to admit, I never did get the Sanyo.

The photos below are of that Seiko. These show the abuse this watch experienced in its 44 years of service without the back ever coming off. It was my daily until the bracelet started coming apart. If you look closely at the band, you will see a variety of paperclips that have been tailor-cut to fit in the links. After the band became unsightly, it became my "œgarage watch", and served well until the summer of '15, when at last, it succumbed to the fate that befalls many timepieces, the mainspring broke.

In its entire life of 44 years, I never spent a single dime on maint, and it ran as accurately on the last day as it did in'71. I have far more expensive watches acquired over the years, but they have cost me a small fortune in maint, more than a hundred times what I paid for this one in '71.

I guess they really don't make '˜em like they used to!

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strobe Loc: Central Iowa

I bought the duplicate of this back when I was in college in the 70s. My wife now uses it. She's gone through many watches, from inexpensive to expensive, purchased and hand me downs, but this is the first one that he's been able to wear for more than a year and still run. She's worn it for 30 years or so. I lost it for about a year, it fell down behind my dresser and trying to fish it out with a yard stick seems to have pushed it behind the file cabinet and that doesn't get moved too often. I purchased a newer one then and when it was found I let her borrow it until she found one she liked. Hasn't given it back to me since. Of course, I haven't asked for it back either.

DeanS Loc: Capital City area of North Carolina

Nice story. Thanks for your reply and sharing.

jkoar Loc: The Gunks, NY

Thanks for the story. Sanyo makes many things. What was the Sanyo? Happy Thanksgiving!

Erv Loc: Medina Ohio

That brought back some good and bad memories. I still have mine too. But do not use it to much. In Nam for 3 years.

DeanS Loc: Capital City area of North Carolina

"Thanks for the story. Sanyo makes many things. What was the Sanyo? Happy Thanksgiving!"

The Sanyo was stereo stuff!

DeanS Loc: Capital City area of North Carolina

Thanks Erv. You and I, and others like us, were the lucky ones. There were 58,000+ who were not so lucky. Their names are permanently engraved on a big, black granite wall in DC. Some facts here for those interested: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vietnam_Veterans_Memorial

Erv Loc: Medina Ohio

We are very blessed Dean!! I went in on the hubby system. 8 of us went over and stayed together. But we lost one very good friend too.:( Not a good time!!!!!!

donrtaylor

I was in Nam from 67-68 also.....had a Seiko just like that one. Didn't last quite that long, but it was a bargain. We all lost some friends over there, but it got much worse after I left!

DeanS Loc: Capital City area of North Carolina

When the US pulled out, it was sheer hell, I hear.

hotglassguy Loc: Jeffersonville, IN

Like you I punched my "Spotmatic" ticket while on liberty in Hong Kong. Great camera and I still use the f1.4 on my DSLR. Good lens and still just as fast as when I got it in '66.

DeanS Loc: Capital City area of North Carolina

Thanks. I still have the Pentax and 1.4 glass, but haven't shot film in years.

Steve3265 Loc: Fulton, IL

#1 Thank you to yourself and all those that have servered to protect all of us. I keep each and everyone of you in my prayers. On this day of Thanksgiving I hope everyone remembers that we celebrate this day because of people like yourself.

That being said the pictures tell such a story when you know what you're looking at. What a wonderful grouping. Thanks so much for sharing your story and photos!

DeanS Loc: Capital City area of North Carolina

Thank you Steve, for your thoughts. It is this kind of gratitude that makes America the greatest country on the earth. All those that trash this country, even with its warts, should go to some of the places folks like us have been, then come back and do and say the things that should embarras them. God Bless America!!!

romanticf16 Loc: Commerce Twp, MI

My wife gave me a Seiko Day and Date with real numbers on the dial 30 years ago. Last year the Day/Date setting failed but the watch stilll kept great time. I had Seiko replace the whole movement for $140. The wife thought I was crazy but it'll last me the rest of my lifetime!