For collectors, the Tornek Rayville series of watches are amongst the most unusual and sought after of all military wristwatches one can hope to find. Based on the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms, they were supplied to the U.S. Navy by Allen V. Tornek. Winning a competitive bid, he successfully determined a compliant way to offer the Fifty Fathoms through his U.S. company Rayville, in light of a restrictive “Buy American” act that prevented Blancpain and all other non-U.S.-based companies from competing. A total of approximately 1,000 examples were made in the early 1960s, and the U.S. Navy destroyed nearly all of them, making each exceptionally rare.

The Tornek Rayville model offered in the present lot is not only well preserved, but also features an exciting provenance that will delight any military watch enthusiast. It was formerly issued by the U.S. Marine Corps (a branch of the Navy) to Sergeant Maurice Jacques, who served with them for thirty years, with nearly six of them in combat. A true warrior, he won two Bronze Stars and a Purple Heart, and was the subject of an exhaustive biographical novel titled, “Sergeant Major, U.S. Marines” published in 1995.

In 1966, Sgt Jacques was issued the present Tornek Rayville TR-900 dive watch. Fitted with its original Nato strap and paired with Jacques’ wrist compass, it was worn during his years of service in Vietnam with Force Recon. The watch left Vietnam with him on January 15, 1971 and remained in his possession after he retired following a remarkable career as Sergeant Major of the 5th Marine Regiment, in 1978. The present watch was worn by Sgt Jacques during his three decades of service, and is accompanied by a personal letter written by a member of his family documenting his ownership.