From Praesidus comes another take on a watch icon that was used during the Secret War in Vietnam/Laos/Cambodia. Watches like this truly respect the designs of the past. MACVSOG Operatives needed deniability in all their gear including their watches. To have watches made outside of America would ensure if they were captured there was zero ties back to the US Government. A lot of them would end up turning to the Seiko 6619 as their work horse watch. A watch initially meant for dress occasions would now be used by these shadow warriors to operate behind enemy lines. Time keeping being instrumental to operations they needed a robust and highly legible watch. These modern interpretations by Praesidus really hit the nail on the head when it comes to honoring the watches of the past. To look down at your wrist and see the Rec Spec (Short for Reconnaissance Specification) having all the DNA and stories of the conflict in Southeast Asia behind its design really humbles you.
I will speak briefly on the history of MACVSOG and the reason why I believe this watch is a great American made modern interpretation of the 6619 and how it's the perfect entry level Sketchy Watch.
Created on 24 January 1964, Military Assistance Command Vietnam Studies and Observations Group, AKA MACVSOG, or simply SOG for short, was a highly secretive and classified multi service special operations unit that conducted unconventional warfare operations during the Vietnam War. Their missions ranged from enemy personnel snatches, to rescuing downed pilots, to conducting rescue operations for POWs, Reconnaissance, clandestine agent team activities in partnership with the CIA and psychological operations to name a few.
This Unit was composed of predominantly Army Special Forces but was not limited to that organization alone, the command had men serving in it from different branches of the US military and even Vietnamese Air force.
With this wealth of knowledge and skill sets from multi-service backgrounds is what made MACVSOG a serious fighting force with an array of talent ranging from Vietnamese King Bee Pilots to Tier 1 Operators from the highest levels of US special forces. MACVSOG had an over 100 percent casualty rate, the men of SOG were all either wounded, killed or missing in action. Even with that statistic shared during the war the men of SOG still threw on their gear and climbed aboard King Bee helicopters and took the fight to the enemy. Truly fearless men operating at the tip of the spear. Operating in the shadows of the Vietnam war SOG was responsible for cross border operations into Laos and Cambodia.
These teams were often small, approximately 4 to 6 men and augmented with Vietnamese personnel. Affectionately called Little People by the Green Berets, these fierce Vietnamese fighters had a serious hate for the NVA and Vietcong. They were not American soldiers fighting on some foreign land; these native soldiers were fighting in their own backyard for the freedom of their people from oppressive communism. They would bring a level of expertise that can be rarely taught and has been earned over a lifetime of being in the bush. Combining their little people's understanding of the jungle with the Green Berets' support of the strongest military in the world was what made them so lethal. Although small, these teams were stacked against almost unbelievable odds, their success was never truly known and unfortunately, their sacrifices were not either.
It was not uncommon for an entire team to go missing immediately following insertion into an objective. The thick jungle would swallow up helicopters and US servicemen if the right precautions were not taken before a mission kicked off. With the other members of SOG on standby to conduct a rescue mission to either rescue their down teammates, ensure the grim task of body recovery could be achieved or at the very least take the fight to the enemy who had just wiped out their comrades.
Stories of MAC V SOG were captured in very little literature throughout the years from being held to a strict NDA; these members were forbidden to share their stories of war until many years after. Even till this day some of their missions are classified. Magazines like Soldier of Fortune would share some small articles on the Successes of SOG which when read would seem completely unbelievable but were very real and true.
Now knowing this brief history of SOG take another look at these images of the Rec Spec and you will paint it with a completely different brush. The DNA is there. The stories are there. The sacrifice of great men alongside their indigenous brothers is there. Very few companies out there truly honor history when releasing a watch that they say pays tribute to the past. They seem to pour new steel into an old dusty mold and call it a tribute. Praesidus from what I have seen and held does not do this. They have their own specific take on the watches of the past and make a modern watch that truly fits the bill of the unit they are respecting and honoring. Also being made in America is a bonus!
Some Quick Specifications of the Rec Spec:
Case Diameter- 38mm
Dial- Applied indexes with diamond cut date window- Superluminova
Thickness Including Glass- 11.8mm
Material- 316 Stainless Steel
Finish- Vertical Brushed and Polished
Lug Width- 20mm
Glass- K1 Sapphire Coated Mineral Crystal with AR Coating
Water Resistant- 5 ATM
Movement- Seiko NH36 Automatic Movement, Day-Date Complication
All these Specs make a great, do I dare say Sketchy everyday driver of a watch that has again as listed above the ability to rise above in some of the most extreme circumstances. The Rec Spec should be on everyone's list looking to get a reliable and affordable timepiece that is versatile and under the radar like its forefathers. The RecSpec is a no flash, no nonsense field watch that sits comfortably against the competition.
I personally grew up on these stories of the secret wars in the shadows of Vietnam which led me to join the military and serve in Recon Units myself. I have a good understanding of what it takes to be a part of similar units and if there's one thing I can share from personal experience is it takes a serious quiet professional with some extreme mental fortitude to be a Recon Patrolman.
Hats off to Praesidus for putting this watch together and keeping the history of these great units alive, Great work.
I would also like to add before closing this article that there are still men out there in the jungles of Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia that were killed or missing in action who have not yet been recovered. They will never be forgotten as long as we keep their history alive and honor their selfless service. Please remember to respect these heroes and their sacrifice.
“You Are Not Forgotten”
As Always
Stay Sketchy
- Derek