Rolex GMT-Master II 'Sea King'

With enough patience, a brand new Rolex can be secured at retail. Buying a pre-owned or vintage Rolex is even simpler, and our raison d’être here at Analog:Shift.

However, not just anyone can purchase a Rolex quite like this one.

Rolex and the British military have a longstanding relationship dating back nearly a century. In recent decades, the Crown has provided UK special forces and select squadrons limited runs of engraved sports watches for purchase by former and serving commandos, pilots, and other personnel. These timepieces aren’t made available to the public…unless one is resold by a former service member.

Such is the case with this particular Rolex, a GMT-Master II Reference 116710LN “Sea King.” Produced in a short run of just 123 examples, this extremely rare variant of a fairly common sports watch honors the Sea King helicopter, which saw service with the M.O.D. from 1969 through 2018. Used by the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force, the helo had several roles, perhaps most famous of which was its SAR (search and rescue) capacity. 

This particular piece, shares all of the same cues and features as any other Reference 116710LN: with its bidirectional rotating 24-hour bezel with a black ceramic insert, a glossy black dial with applied luminous indices and a matching handset with a green 24hr hand, and stainless steel Oyster bracelet with a signed fliplock clasp with Rolex's fantastic Easylink system.

It's when you flip the watch over where one is greeted with a beautiful, deep engraving of a Sea King helicopter, plus the words “Fear God and Honor the King, Sea King Since 1969, #105/123.” A special order dating to circa 2013, it’s accompanied by its factory goodies, and would have originally been sold to a serving or retired serviceman whose time in the military was associated with the Sea King helicopter.

Unique military watches such as this are extremely rare these days — all the more so ones from the likes of Rolex. If these timepieces pique your interest, we advise you to snag one while you can.

Especially this one! 

Though much younger than many of its heavy-hitting horological cousins, Rolex has been at the fore of contemporary watch design virtually since its inception in 1905 by founder Hans Wilsdorf. A veritable marketing genius, Wilsdorf understood the power of story, associating his watches with the most notable and intrepid athletes, explorers, soldiers and politicians of the 20th century. His efforts were clearly successful: Today, the word “Rolex” is nearly synonymous in the minds of millions around the word with “watch.”

From the early waterproof Oyster case of the 1920s through to the ultra-complicated Sky Dweller of today, Rolex models and innovations have captivated a global audience and permeated the zeitgeist unlike those of any other brand. Whether it’s a simple, time-only Air King, a function-first Submariner or a complicated GMT Master II for the jet set, a Rolex commands a certain respect on the wrist and says something about the discerning eye of its owner.

From the swimming of the English channel in 1927 to the scaling of Mt. Everest in 1953, Rolex watches have been associated with adventure for the better part of a century. Despite its association since the 1970s more with luxury and status than with commando operations behind enemy lines or sporting achievements, Rolex still makes one of the most robust timepieces available on the contemporary market. And the company continues to support scientific endeavors around the world.

Interestingly, for most of the firm’s history, Rolex largely did not produce its components in-house, including its movements. (Indeed, hand-wound Daytonas sold today at auction for eye-watering prices feature run-of-the-mill Valjoux movements that feature in watches from hundreds of other brands). It wasn’t until the early 21st century that Rolex became the vertically integrated manufacturing behemoth that it is today, purchasing everything from movement manufacturers to bracelet companies. (Notably, the Crown even forges its own gold.)

Whether one is attracted to the rich history of the brand or simply finds its products notable from an investment perspective, Rolex is a company whose wares are guaranteed to remain a benchmark for horological quality forever.

Our Pledge

Analog:Shift stands behind the authenticity of our products in perpetuity.

Condition

Since our pieces are vintage or pre-owned, please expect wear & patina from usage and age. Please read each item description and examine all product images.

Warranty

We back each Analog:Shift vintage timepiece with a one-year mechanical warranty from the date of purchase.

International Buyers

Please contact us prior to purchase for additional details on shipping and payment options.

All of our watches include complementary insured shipping within the 50 states.

Most of our products are on hand and will ship directly from our headquarters in New York City. In some cases, watches will be shipped directly from one of our authorized partners.

We generally ship our products via FedEx, fully insured, within 5 business days of purchase. An adult signature is required for receipt of all packages for insurance purposes. Expedited shipping is available at an additional cost. We are also happy to hand deliver your purchase in Manhattan or you may pick it up at our showroom.

Returns must be sent overnight or by priority international delivery, fully insured and paid for by the customer. A restocking fee may apply. Watches must be returned in the same condition as initially shipped.

We welcome international buyers, please contact us prior to purchase for additional details on shipping and payment options.