Hello there,

I'm posting to ask advice on a Royal Navy Clearance Diver Seamaster, it was part of a limited run of 150. Limited information on the website as to their value, and popularity.

Can anyone enlighten me with these?

Many thanks

 

Do you have one or are you trying to find one?

Can you post a pic? I've no idea what they look like.

 

I have one, unopened and still wrapped up. The photos are from issue.

 

I know nothing about this model.

There are a huge number of limited edition Seamasters which limits the desirability of many of the individual editions. That says said, 150 is a very limited run.

 

Seamasters have been able to be group bought by military units for a while.
150 is quite a large run as I thought 10- 25 was the normal

Different to issued as the owner / unit still has to pay for them and sell them or have them sold before hand.

Not really a premium over a normal one in my book.
" hey look I bought a watch off a clearance diver "
" Cool can you dive "
"Nope, just bought the watch of someone that could"

 

Never heard of a clearance diver before. Looked it up...very cool. Cool watch too.

 

I think 150 is the maximum order on a batch.

I know of other British units that order 50 at a time, and in the UK, as I understand it, these are all being dealt with through one boutique.

They get a discount (a good one), and have to show ID on collection, and as you say @STANDY pay for it themselves as a personal purchase.

Current model being used for this purpose (military personal orders I think it’s called) from what I have been told, is the previous gen Planet Ocean - with the units crest on the sapphire caseback so you can still see the movement.

It’s cool, but 100% in agreement that if you’re not from the unit and wearing one... maybe not so cool.

This is not like buying an issued watch for historical significance - it’s a marketing thing.

 

Have seen a few US military ones over time. Airforce and Navy.

Also have been shown a Australian units one by the actual owner.

 

The ones I’ve seen here in a boutique have been SAS, and Royal Marines.

I met an RAF tornado pilot (he’s moving over to the Typhoon) recently who has a 2nd gen x-33 with his units crest on the back... he said most of the guys fly wearing a g-shock.

 

Probably a good thing.

Think SAS guys who can breath under water.

If you meet them when they're working, it's not good for your health.

If you meet them while they're playing, well, same outcome really.

 

What would anyone say as to their value? I've seen various figures.

 

It’s just an std issue with a fancy caseback. There are a few out there. It’s no different to the Breitling Squadron Specials, less so in fact as there are no dial markings, not really a mitary watch as such. There may be a small premium over a std 2255 but not huge. It’s more Walter Mitty than David Stirling IMO.

 

What someone will pay - note this is not the same as what some dealers ask (thinking of the dreamer who wanted $25k for the F15 Eagle case backed X-33).

As @padders says, price of a regular one, plus a small percentage, say 10-20% max.

Bear in mind these were bought new at a discount of 30-40%, and that if you bought it, and wanted to sell it at a later date, you need to find someone else who's willing to pay a premium for a case back from a unit they weren't in either.

 

Think of it the same as a sporting jersey with a players name on it

Few bucks more for the name on the back than a blank jersey


Not worth anywhere as much as the jersey the actual player wore in a grand final match and signed
( which is what the seller thinks their selling )