An old Seawolf and the original owner

[Demer03]

I must say, I'm a little wowed by what I've got here. I've been jonesing for another vintage Seawolf, and started hunting for an early datograph model. Found one on Reddit watch sales from a collector in Chicago.

Price was fair for head only and condition looked ok. It showed up Thursday and I threw it on a Forstner until I can source a correct bracelet. I didn't really pay much attention to the back until I started trying to date it. Engraved in the back is the original owners name. It's a unique one, J Paton Dellow.







Holy cow.... turns out he was a captain in the US Army Special Forces in Vietnam. Sadly, he passed in 2013, but I found this from his obituary:

" J Paton Dellow was born in Monroe Michigan.
J. attended the Kentucky Military Institute before transferring to New Trier Township High School in Winnetka, Ill., where he graduated in 1961. He attended the University of Wisconsin, where he earned a degree in History and a minor in Political Science. J. joined the United States Army in 1967 and was promoted to Captain while serving in Vietnam. While in the military, J. became a Green Beret, a member of the Special Forces Airborne, and was recognized with the Bronze Star for service against hostile forces. He was also awarded the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry."

Turns out he was on Facebook and has a couple of old pictures.



And double holy cow....here he is in country WEARING the Seawolf!



It feels really cool to be able to discover a watches history. I have half a mind to reach out to the family.

[Butch]

Nice story, thanks for sharing it with us.

[Ultra-Vintage]

Great History! 

[Cobber]

Wow, super cool story Demer,
If interested here's a link to my "story" from a few years back, regarding my dad's Jet Aeronaut which now sits in the National Museum of the USAF.

https://www.vintagezodiacs.com/zforums/index.php?topic=1462.0

[Demer03]

That was a great read. Thank you! - Mike