RedSea Dive Watches

Detective Randy Curtis has been with the Seattle Police Department for the past 22 years.  The past 14 years have been on the bomb squad.  He is also an Underwater Explosives Recovery Specialist in the Pacific Northwest.

Q&A with Detective Curtis:

Q) Have you ever actually had to defuse a real bomb?
A) Yes. We typically refer to the process as ‘Rendering Safe’ though.

Q) How many?
A) Too many.  

Q) Are you ever nervous?
A) Too busy ‘rendering safe’ to be nervous.

Q) What do you do for fun?
A) Scuba diving.  My RedSea Holystone fits perfectly in both worlds.

A Bomb Squad Technicians Gear List

The bomb squad equipment call-out list is very mission specific, dependent upon the dynamics of the known and taking into account ‘unknowns’.  Of course the usual assortment of tools typically found in a ‘leatherman-style’ tool are invaluable and having a pocket knife handy is always a good idea. My Dad always said, “A gentlemen should always have a sharp pocket knife available.”  I live by this credo.

But, TIME is typically imperative.  Most every explosive is triggered to detonate along some kind of timeline.  We attempt to apply our best ‘guess-timate’ what the bombers timeline might be.

The most widely popular pieces of equipment we use are portable x-rays machines & the MedEng EOD (Explosive Ordinance Disposal) Bomb Suit.  It is a comfy, little conglomerate of Kevlar & ceramic tile weighing a mere 90lbs.  On a cool day – it’s not a bad place to be.  On a hot day – it’s downright miserable inside.  Unless of course you’ve got a SegWay transport device (pictured above).  In the picture though he’s not wearing the very important helmet – it would cover-up his smile

More about Randy

Besides recreationally diving Randy also serves as the only Underwater Explosives Recovery Specialist in the Pacific NW. As Randy put it “it’s always a good day when you can get wet.” He entered scuba diving as a hobby with his wife and though he prefers clear, moderate temperature dives for recreation – he’s also found diving in the Puget Sound to be amazing.  There too, a trusted timepiece is amongst your best-buddies.

This past September, the RedSea Holystone got its first glimpse of action as it made Randy’s equipment list as he lead the “advance-team” of President Obama’s protection detail during his visit to the Pacific NW.  Other notable details Randy has served on include protecting former Presidents Bush, Clinton, & G.W. Bush.  Not to mention General Schwarzkopf, Anita Hill, Paul McCartney, The Rolling Stones, Carl Sagan, and the Dali Lama!

And just last week, Randy taught a ‘Community Academy’ class for the Seattle Police Department where fifty members of the community came to learn about different aspects of police work – Randy taught the ‘bomb squad’ portion.  To start the class off, he walked into the room in the aforementioned full bomb suit – ninety pounds of ceramic-tile & Kevlar in EOD green.  Awesome!

In the picture he’s wearing an EOD 9 (Explosive Ordinance Disposal) bomb suit on his last mission in the rainy Pacific NW.  It is 90 lbs. of Kevlar & ceramic tile designed to protect your style-conscious bomb technician. The other picture highlights the ‘Tools of the Trade’ as he called them.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So what’s next for Randy and his Holystone? Hitting-depth on an actual dive of course! He and his wife are headed to the Caribbean for a much needed vacation. “Typically, I take several watches – for whatever mood strikes while in paradise. The Holystone has already got the top-spot; after all it came with its own great travel case!”

Partings Words

Gentlemen, after having worn my PVD version of the Holystone for the past several weeks; I have set aside my Oris, Rolex & Panerai. You have created a wonderful timepiece. I love my Holystone.

Since having received my Holystone I have received several compliments from friends & acquaintances that are aware of my affinity toward timepieces. One co-worker, fellow bomb squad detective/owner of a Hublot, Phillip Patek, Omega, & Tag Heuer timepieces – daily asks to ‘try-on’ the Holystone.

I hope to inspire others to give ‘RedSea’ a chance. Now, I’m thinking my wife ought to get a Stainless Six Pounder a try as her dive watch!