MI5 watch (not) for sale

[MikeO996]

Shame, this would have been highly collectable. Seems unfair that it supposedly can't make it's way onto the open market.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2550527/Ex...

[mikeveal]

I have to disagree. As with most brightblings*, it's better that it never see's the light of day again
.
If only they could implement a similar marketing policy for the rest of their range, "Protecting the realm from crimes against good taste" would be a suitable inscription, then seal 'em in a time capsule and send them all to the bottom of the Mariana Trench.

• Some older models excepted, the 70's top time is a thing of beauty for example.

But then, I suppose I could be accused of being a hater. In my defence, it's only because they're all such damned ugly brash, tacky looking things!

[rog007]

mikeveal said:

...it's only because they're all such damned ugly brash, tacky looking things!

I've tried, really tried, but just cannot warm to them either. Good job others do otherwise they'd go bust!

[yeti]

mikeveal said:

I could be accused of being a hater. In my defence, it's only because they're all such damned ugly brash, tacky looking things!

All of them? Yes, you're a hater

[Hoofy]

A different type of public sector watch thread.

[tobinen]

yeti said:

Not usually a Breitling fan but that looks super

[dom9]

yeti said:

That is lovely and I looked at one/ considered it when I was buying me El Primero but the rest of them, I also 'struggle' with!

If I was given one, I'd be very happy I am sure. But I find it unlikely I'll ever buy one!

Shame this guy isn't allowed to sell his watch though - seems unfair if he bought and paid for it?!

[andy tims]

So, you're a top secret spy and you wear an MI5 logo'd watch??

[yeti]

andy tims said:

So, you're a top secret spy and you wear an MI5 logo'd watch??

Priceless isn't it

I've no doubt he worked at Vauxhall Cross but as a back-office dreamer. Bless.

Where does it say he's not allowed to sell it? They're not pleased, but it's his and they won't confirm authenticity according to the article..?

[Hoofy]

andy tims said:

So, you're a top secret spy and you wear an MI5 logo'd watch??

Dunno what you mean. This watch is issued to US spec ops. It says so on the dial.

[JD84]

Almost identical to the RMP CPU one. The planet oceans that have been done are nice though. I have heard talk of 5k for these one offs.

[andy_s]

Lots of specialist units have gone the Brietling route, RAF, 264 sigs, 22 etc. Seems this guy was on the surveillance teams - sounds glamorous but in reality a nightmare of weeks away from home in cheap accom, little/no notice on o/t, pay's not great, over-stretched etc - like a lot of public sector probably!

[mikeveal]

yeti said:

All of them? Yes, you're a hater

Perfect. Thank you. That chrono is clearly the exception that proves the rule.

The Transocean (your 2nd pic.) does little for me I'm afraid. Agreed it's not got the usual Breitling tackyness, but for me it's missing that understated touch of class.

That said, I do like the chrono.

[yeti]

mikeveal said:

That said, I do like the chrono.

It's unusually nice isn't it

[dom9]

yeti said:

Where does it say he's not allowed to sell it? They're not pleased, but it's his and they won't confirm authenticity according to the article..?

Reading between the lines:

"Despite the auction supposedly ending at 7.45GMT on Sunday, the ad had been removed from eBay on Sunday afternoon."

And, "'All members of the Security Service have to sign the Official Secrets Act and as such are required not to reveal for whom they work - or have worked - once they leave,' a security source told the paper."

So, I assume he's not allowed to sell it on such a 'public' website, at least!

[Kaelic]

andy_s said:

Lots of specialist units have gone the Brietling route, RAF, 264 sigs, 22 etc. Seems this guy was on the surveillance teams - sounds glamorous but in reality a nightmare of weeks away from home in cheap accom, little/no notice on o/t, pay's not great, over-stretched etc - like a lot of public sector probably!

22 don't wear Brietling's they get a special PO to wear, was having a good look at one in Spain with 2 serving 22 members who were showing them off, look exactly the same as a normal PO but the backs were engraved with their initials and the year they passed selection. Along with the Excalibur in flames of course.

I know the boys from Poole also get PO's but with their logo on the back.

On OPs they swear by the GShock Mudman

[andy_s]

Kaelic said:

22 don't wear Brietling's they get a special PO to wear, was having a good look at one in Spain with 2 serving 22 members who were showing them off, look exactly the same as a normal PO but the backs were engraved with their initials and the year they passed selection. Along with the Excalibur in flames of course.

I know the boys from Poole also get PO's but with their logo on the back.

On OPs they swear by the GShock Mudman

Heck - getting my watches confused :headshot: you're correct of course - I think it's mainly RAF sqns that go for the personalised Brietlings.

[MikeO996]

dom9 said:

And, "'All members of the Security Service have to sign the Official Secrets Act and as such are required not to reveal for whom they work - or have worked - once they leave,' a security source told the paper."

Which rather raises the question, when can they wear the watch, on their own at home?
Or maybe it's okay if their shirt cuffs are nice and long.

[Chaz9950]

MikeO996 said:

dom9 said:

And, "'All members of the Security Service have to sign the Official Secrets Act and as such are required not to reveal for whom they work - or have worked - once they leave,' a security source told the paper."

Which rather raises the question, when can they wear the watch, on their own at home?
Or maybe it's okay if their shirt cuffs are nice and long.

The issue was not (well, not so much) that the guy selling a secret watch. It was more that he had 'revealed' his spy-identity. Had the advert been much more carefully worded, or even sold through a big dealer or franchise, no such issues would have been aired. Well, most likely anyway....

[dom9]

Chaz9950 said:

The issue was not (well, not so much) that the guy selling a secret watch. It was more that he had 'revealed' his spy-identity. Had the advert been much more carefully worded, or even sold through a big dealer or franchise, no such issues would have been aired. Well, most likely anyway....

That was my view... There is a 'way' of selling it, but on a public site like eBay is not the right one