Rolex at the PX

[Stud Screw]

I find it fascinating that there was a time when Rolex watches were sold at the PX. Has anybody here (or perhaps their fathers or grandfathers) ever purchased a Rolex from a PX? What model was it? When was it purchased? How much was it? How about pics? Much appreciated!


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[dardeca]

Px?

[Roger Lococco]

Military base department store


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[srf52]

Originally Posted by Stud Screw

I find it fascinating that there was a time when Rolex watches were sold at the PX. Has anybody here (or perhaps their fathers or grandfathers) ever purchased a Rolex from a PX? What model was it? When was it purchased? How much was it? How about pics? Much appreciated!


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...I purchased a Submariner 5512 in 1971 from a USN PX (HK) while in the service.. Paid $201 USD for it.

[garyk]

Originally Posted by Stud Screw

I find it fascinating that there was a time when Rolex watches were sold at the PX. Has anybody here (or perhaps their fathers or grandfathers) ever purchased a Rolex from a PX? What model was it? When was it purchased? How much was it? How about pics? Much appreciated!


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Just wasn’t smart enough, Early 70s, I bought a stereo from the PX in Japan. Sansui 5000X, dual turntable and Pioneer CS 99a speakers. Wonderful stereo, still have it, still works but replaced the turntable a long time ago. It’s worth some money but not like any Rolex from that era would be now.

[121Ranger]

I bought my first Rolex at a PX in Germany when I was stationed there in 1985. It was a GMT Master and I paid $660 for it. I was 22 and sold it a couple years later. How I wish I had kept it......

[garyk]

Originally Posted by 121Ranger

I bought my first Rolex at a PX in Germany when I was stationed there in 1985. It was a GMT Master and I paid $660 for it. I was 22 and sold it a couple years later. How I wish I had kept it......

I bought one of those stateside around the same time, I think it was about $1800, might have been a few years earlier...

[Dr. Robert]

PX - post exchange

[AJMarcus]

Some still sell Rolex and other Swiss brands. Usually it’s the larger facilities.

[Doc Savage]

I remember seeing them in PXs in Europe in the 80s, but I had just started a family and had little extra cash at the time.

[Father and Son]

Great thread. Hope to hear more firsthand stories and pls post pics of you have em. Thank you for your service...

[aayates]

My dad bought me my first rolex from a px in 1981; it was an air-king for $300. My son has it now.

[PNBLWZD]

My dad bought a Rolex from the PX while stationed in Germany in the late 1960’s. Also bought camera and stereo gear which he still has, but the Rolex got stolen in the mail being sent in for service.

[Rolex_Rookie]

Here’s a great clip from the Antique Road Show about a GMT purchased at a PX in Germany. The guy’s reaction at the end is priceless.

https://youtu.be/li0mRLcGbU8


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[skyblue12]

Or BX if you was in the Air Force. I only know this because I was in the RAF and used to use the Yanks facilities for shopping because they were so much better than ours if they'd let you.

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[shaunylw]

Originally Posted by skyblue12

Or Bx if you was in the Air Force. I only know this because I was in the RAF and used to use the Yanks facilities because they was so much better than ours for everything.

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That’s what i was thinking! My dad was in the air force for 20 years and i grew up on military bases. I remember getting to go into the bx, i loved it!


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[swaini3]

Originally Posted by srf52

...I purchased a Submariner 5512 in 1971 from a USN PX (HK) while in the service.. Paid $201 USD for it.

[siempreko]

In 1989-90 I could have purchased a sub from AAFES (Army Air Force Exchange Service) for $1,000. At the time, this was a significant discount! I remember wrestling with it, then getting distracted by a squirrel... or a girl...


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[buzzroll]

I have my dad's watch he got at the PX when he was stationed in Korea.

[phillip ridley]

Originally Posted by srf52

...I purchased a Submariner 5512 in 1971 from a USN PX (HK) while in the service.. Paid $201 USD for it.

Best investment ever....wish I had a time machine and all I would ask for is a 1969 1680, 6542, 6241, 5508, 5510, 6263...oh heck, I would buy them ALL.

[fmc000]

Originally Posted by buzzroll

I have my dad's watch he got at the PX when he was stationed in Korea.

Amazing piece!

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[Peter123]

Naive question. To military basis still sell Rolex?

[Old Expat Beast]

My 1966 Datejust 1603 sold at the Torrejon USAF Base Exchange in Spain, in 1968.

[Tokyo Time]

The Yokota AAFES had Rolex up till 18- years ago and the NEX inside The New Sanno Hotel actually had Rolex for a brief moment 2 years ago but they were used from a local gray dealer and soon got booted.

[zapokee]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

My 1966 Datejust 1603 sold at the Torrejon USAF Base Exchange in Spain, in 1968.

Oh my actual gosh.

[buzzroll]

Originally Posted by fmc000

Amazing piece!

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Thanks! I'm looking for a better bracelet...

[buzzroll]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

My 1966 Datejust 1603 sold at the Torrejon USAF Base Exchange in Spain, in 1968.

Really nice!

[springer]

Back during the time that I served in the U.S. Army from 1972-74, watches could be purchased at almost every PX. While the Rolex brand was available at the time, it was not a brand that GIs were eager to purchase due to the price. Functionality was the key for any decision regarding a watch purchase then and I can speak for many who served during the era that I served and state that the Seikos were by far the most popular watch brand being sold through the PXs.

My choice was a Seiko DX automatic day-date model that I still own to this day - complete with the original bracelet. I wore the watch until around 1980 when it eventually ended up in my proverbial "sock drawer" where it was unworn and unattended for over three decades. I finally had the watch serviced a few years ago and now wear it occasionally where it always brings back many memories of my younger years.

[springer]

While my previous post highlights my PX Seiko watch which was purchased during 1972, in the spirit of this thread, I'd like to submit my 1970 Rolex GMT that I purchased several years ago. This watch was originally sold during the Vietnam War years to a soldier in the U.S. Army serving in an airborne unit. It was sold at a PX in Thailand during January 1972 and is fully documented with the original PX purchase receipts depicted in one of the attached photos.

What is interesting about this watch is that it was complete with the original GMT Jubilee bracelet as well as a custom made Olongapo stainless steel bracelet with the airborne insignia adorned on each section of the bracelet as well as the Rolex coronet on the clasp. The watch also came with all the original paperwork, warranty paper, accessories and purchase receipts from the PX in Thailand where the watch was purchased. Additionally, the box set is very unique and unlike any other that I have seen before during the time period the watch was sold.

This is probably one of my favorite watches and every now-and-then it gets broken out for a little fresh air and sunshine!!!

[Frakis]

Originally Posted by springer

While my previous post highlights my PX Seiko watch which was purchased during 1972, I'd like to submit a Rolex GMT that I purchased several years ago in the spirit of this thread. This watch was originally sold during the Vietnam War years to a soldier in the U.S. Army serving in an airborne unit. It was sold at a PX in Thailand during January 1972 and is fully documented with the original PX purchase receipts depicted in one of the attached photos.

What is interesting about this watch is that it was complete with the original GMT Jubilee bracelet as well as a custom made Olongapo stainless steel bracelet with the airborne insignia adorned on each section of the bracelet as well as the Rolex coronet on the clasp. The watch also came with all the original paperwork, warranty paper, accessories and purchase receipts from the PX in Thailand where the watch was purchased. Additionally, the box set is very unique and unlike any other that I have seen before during the time period the watch was sold.

This is probably one of my favorite watches and every now-and-then it gets broken out for a little fresh air and sunshine!!!

Wow! This is certainly a keeper! The provenance is amazing. Thank you for sharing! I love seeing these old GMT’s!