Ologanpo... not every ones cup of....

Love it or hate it. But as a collector these straps are also special to me.

During the Vietnam War, soldiers and sailors would often take R&R in the city of Olongapo located near the Subic Bay Naval Station.  It was in Olongapo many Navy Divers, Seals, UDT members and Army / Marine Special forces would have watch bracelets crafted carrying custom insignias.   These bracelets, now named for the city in which they were made, were a cottage industry of the natives of the city who handmade each.   Bracelets were crafted for a specific Seviceman and therefore each is found w/ a unique set of insignias.  Most often these bracelets are found attatched to a Benrus Type I dive watch (as above), though they are found on many others as well - from original pairings to unlikely current partners.

Billy's Olongapo Page

Courtesy to Billy from Watch Addicts INC