The Long Return, Part II: Restoring The Tudor That Took A Bullet In Vietnam

Last September, we brought you the story of 1st Lieutenant Barry Jones, Corpsman Lorrie McLaughlin, and a very special Tudor Submariner that was able to reconnect the veterans some 50 years after the battlefield in Vietnam sought to tear them apart. If you haven't watched the original video, please take a moment to learn the story of how this severely damaged Tudor came to be and how it was returned to 1st Lt. Jones in the exact same condition in which it left Da Nang in 1968.

So where does the story go from here? Well, what if we told you that, after having the watch returned to him its battle-damaged state, 1st Lt. Jones had hopes of seeing his storied Tudor restored and ready for another tour on wrist.

[MrRmacattack]

Tudor PR completely on point. This has gained them more respect and appraisal as a company in my eyes.

[humblebragging]

this story makes me proud as one of Tudor owner.. it’s not just a timepiece, it’s a heritage of horology in its highest values.

[maxwellpinilis]

Did anyone else cry when he put the watch back on his wrist?

[christopherliang]

One of if not the best videos Hodinkee. Pleased to see such a genuine connection to the watch.

[krunkasaurus]

What an incredible story. Well done Hodinkee and Tudor!

[Manaz]

This video was spot on amazing! Thank you Hodinkee and Tudor for, if this was 100% truthful, doing what's right. If everyone could be selfless and act in good faith like this, we'd live in a much better place.

[nicksss]

Incredible, beautiful work from Tudor. I’m still on the fence about removing this pieces history and restoring it, but the process and result has swayed me somewhat to agree with what they achieved. Awesome story!

[kevinngomez]

Tudor, Ben, Hodinkee, you’re doing gods work.

[Billeh]

I totally forgot about the first episode which I had put, at the time, to watch later. Thanks for the reminder- brought to tears almost. Thank you for your service. Would really like to meet these guys and others like them.

[neelsengupta]

Absolutely amazing story, well done, Tudor, and thanks for documenting this in video, Hodinkee 👏👏👏

[stevesmith]

This Brought a lump to my throat !Brave American Soldiers! Well done Tudor!

[michaelriera]

Hodinkee, this video is at another level. Thanks for telling the story.

[nickschiffers]

This is one of the best videos on YouTube! I love the story, can you imagine that you have a watch that is like a friend for life. I was so happy when I got notified and saw this video. He deserved this! Thank you both for your service. And let this watch bring you and the later generation of your family great joy. Hodinkee thanks for sharing this great moment with us.

[danicadam]

It turned out much better than I anticipated. What a beautiful story.

[leed]

Amazing story and video, well done Hodinkee 👏

[Florissvdv]

Incredible story, and fantastic work by everyone at the Hodinkee team for allowing them to tell it. This is simply what it's all about.

[Tone_Jammer]

Superb. Makes me respect watchmakers even more. And the best thing for that vet is the watch is now worth 10x more! Not that he'd sell it of course, but it's great to see him wearing and using something that would almost certainly otherwise just be sat in some collectors safe.

[Sestorema]

Phenomenal Story...
...and great Tudor 👍❤️

[emendoz]

What an amazing story, and an amazing watch. My 1962 Rolex/Tudor 7928 doesn’t have quite a history but it is in my view an equally amazing time piece.

[andrewlu]

Well done. Best video you've produced to date - what an amazing story. Thank you for sharing and a huge shout-out to Tudor. Please keep up with this style of videos!