Rolex

This rare limited-edition GMT-Master II was produced by Rolex to commemorate the Sea King helicopter, of which only 123 examples were produced. The Sea King was in British Military service from 1969, and was used by both the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force. The Sea King helicopter had many variants and roles; ASW (Anti-Submarine Warfare-‘Pinger’), Commando (Utility and Troop Insertion-‘Junglie’), AEW (Airborne Early Warning-‘Bagger’), but it is probably best known in its role as a Royal Navy and Royal Air Force Search and Rescue helicopter. The last remaining Sea King was retired in 2018.

These special order GMT-Master II models were only sold to serving or ex-serving members of the Armed Forces involved with the Sea King helicopter, and they were never available to the general public. Rolex and the British Military have had close a relationship and collaborations for decades. Modern limited editions made for Special Forces are extremely sought after by discerning collectors.  

The present watch comes to us from its original owner and former Sea King Pilot, who served in the Royal Navy for 16 years, and who is still currently in active military service with the Royal Air Force. This watch was purchased in 2014, by the current and original owner, as a memento of his time flying the extraordinary Sea King helicopter. The owner’s close relationship with the serviceman who set up the collaboration with Rolex, allowed him to have the first pick of the batch of the remaining 122 figures, and he chose 014 to reflect his time on 814 Naval Air Squadron (1994-1996). He also remarked, in a slightly tongue-in-cheek fashion, which is obviously “Twice as good as 007”. The case back is so numbered 014/123.

It is presented with its original accessories, including the Guarantee Card, and is offered in an extremely attractive unworn condition, with full retailer seals. This watch, to any Rolex collector, would immediately sit in the top tier of modern Rolex sports models within a collection, and is likely the most well preserved example of the entire batch in a fully sealed retail condition.