As some of you know. I have been working with Raffles on a few new products this year to offer to the forum
6350 explorer dial
6610 gloss dial
1016 tropical dials
and now offered from Raffles -
The Commando ref 6429
Very few Rolex models that have managed to escape the wider watch collector conscience. However, the Commando is one of those very few models that have achieved that feat. Launched in the very late 1960s and produced for a small handful of years until 1972, the Commando was originally produced for the U.S. Military and sold as Rolex’s cheapest watch for approximately $108 at the time, which was half of the price of a Submariner, at Army bases.
Featuring a 34mm stainless steel case, a riveted Oyster bracelet, a flat polished bezel and a black 3-6-9 dial, it takes very close inspiration from the Explorer, whose robust construction translated quite well into a watch that was to be worn by soldiers. However, as is believed, Rolex didn’t sell-out of Commando stock, and so they turned to Abercrombie & Fitch, the then high-end outdoors outfitter, to sell their excess Commandos. As is also rumoured, this excess stock was also stamped with the name “COMMANDO” on the dial at 6 o’clock so as to leverage the timepiece’s rugged background and austere design language with the outdoorsmen who would eventually buy the last remaining pieces. Today, the Commando has evolved into one of Rolex’ rarest models that is seldom seen for sale on the open market.
I’ve seen varying theories on how and where the Commando was sold:
Without more information, it’s hard to know which theory true, but I’m slightly inclined to believe some version of the second. While the serial numbers of these watches indicate production in the late 1960s or 1970, Abercrombie ads or sales receipts for the model don’t seem to appear until 1972. Thus, it seems plausible that the Commando was sold exclusively at military PXs for a couple years before Rolex partnered with Abercrombie to sell through the rest of its inventory.
Gen Example for reference:
First impression.
Offered in white and aged lume . I opted the White lume so that I can age it to the color desired.
specs of the build.
Raffles 34mm oyster case - sterile with sterile flat case back
Raffles 6mm narrow Rolex crown
Ofrie Han 6595 hands
Ali Datejust seconds hands.
Asian ETA 2824 movement with rotor removed.
Clarks T12 service crystal
Raffles 19mm Oyster bracelet
I first removed the sapphire crystal on the case set for a used T12 crystal I had in my parts , The lip is cracked on the crystal , but it will hold until my cousins order arrives with a domed acrylic that will fit the 34mm case .
Assembly was a snap. Unlike the Mochacha or Yuki Dial , the raffles dial has feet for both DG and ETA Movements. Mounts nicely onto the eta movement.
Installed the handset and dropped it into the case., buttoned it up (after removing the rotor) and installed it on the Raffles 19mm solid oyster bracelet
I held off aging the dial and hands , along with the case set so that other will see how the parts arrive , untouched. When the crystal arrives I will pull it apart and age the dial and hands and update this thread with the "aged appropriate " look.
As always , questions and comments welcome. Stay tuned for udpates.
Thanks for looking
369
6350 explorer dial
6610 gloss dial
1016 tropical dials
and now offered from Raffles -
The Commando ref 6429
Very few Rolex models that have managed to escape the wider watch collector conscience. However, the Commando is one of those very few models that have achieved that feat. Launched in the very late 1960s and produced for a small handful of years until 1972, the Commando was originally produced for the U.S. Military and sold as Rolex’s cheapest watch for approximately $108 at the time, which was half of the price of a Submariner, at Army bases.
Featuring a 34mm stainless steel case, a riveted Oyster bracelet, a flat polished bezel and a black 3-6-9 dial, it takes very close inspiration from the Explorer, whose robust construction translated quite well into a watch that was to be worn by soldiers. However, as is believed, Rolex didn’t sell-out of Commando stock, and so they turned to Abercrombie & Fitch, the then high-end outdoors outfitter, to sell their excess Commandos. As is also rumoured, this excess stock was also stamped with the name “COMMANDO” on the dial at 6 o’clock so as to leverage the timepiece’s rugged background and austere design language with the outdoorsmen who would eventually buy the last remaining pieces. Today, the Commando has evolved into one of Rolex’ rarest models that is seldom seen for sale on the open market.
I’ve seen varying theories on how and where the Commando was sold:
- One theory claims that there were two versions of the Commando: the version printed with “Commando” at 6 o’clock and a version left blank at six. This theory typically claims that the blank version was sold at military post exchanges (“PXs”), while the “Commando”-stamped version was sold at Abercrombie & Fitch.
- A second theory claims the Commando was first offered exclusively at military PXs. A couple years later, the watch was sold at Abercrombie to get rid of Rolex’s remaining inventory. Under this theory, the Commando was sold at military PXs for a couple years in the late 1960s and early 1970s, and then at Abercrombie in 1972.
Without more information, it’s hard to know which theory true, but I’m slightly inclined to believe some version of the second. While the serial numbers of these watches indicate production in the late 1960s or 1970, Abercrombie ads or sales receipts for the model don’t seem to appear until 1972. Thus, it seems plausible that the Commando was sold exclusively at military PXs for a couple years before Rolex partnered with Abercrombie to sell through the rest of its inventory.
Gen Example for reference:
First impression.
Offered in white and aged lume . I opted the White lume so that I can age it to the color desired.
specs of the build.
Raffles 34mm oyster case - sterile with sterile flat case back
Raffles 6mm narrow Rolex crown
Ofrie Han 6595 hands
Ali Datejust seconds hands.
Asian ETA 2824 movement with rotor removed.
Clarks T12 service crystal
Raffles 19mm Oyster bracelet
I first removed the sapphire crystal on the case set for a used T12 crystal I had in my parts , The lip is cracked on the crystal , but it will hold until my cousins order arrives with a domed acrylic that will fit the 34mm case .
Assembly was a snap. Unlike the Mochacha or Yuki Dial , the raffles dial has feet for both DG and ETA Movements. Mounts nicely onto the eta movement.
Installed the handset and dropped it into the case., buttoned it up (after removing the rotor) and installed it on the Raffles 19mm solid oyster bracelet
I held off aging the dial and hands , along with the case set so that other will see how the parts arrive , untouched. When the crystal arrives I will pull it apart and age the dial and hands and update this thread with the "aged appropriate " look.
As always , questions and comments welcome. Stay tuned for udpates.
Thanks for looking
369
Last edited:
