The Shumate dive watch was requested by, and designed for, the U.S. Special Forces Green Berets and one model for the Navy SEALs. The watch is named after Sergeant Major Walter L. Shumate, a legend in the Special Forces community and the man who was instrumental in the creation of the Special Forces Underwater Operations School.
This customized Shumate, in collaboration with NFW, is a top-shelf, extremely refined yet rugged dive watch that looks & feels fantastic in any setting and no matter what you’re wearing – a business suit or a wetsuit.
Proceeds from the GBF Edition featuring the Special Forces Crest will be donated to the Green Beret Foundation.
Our new watch is a dive watch that was built in memory of SGM Walt Shumate, who I knew personally back in the day. Walt was, in his own words, a divemaster extraordinaire. And he was.
He helped generate the start of the Special Warfare School at Key West on diving. And he really helped promote diving within the Special Operations community of the US army. Walt and I served together in the 5th Special Forces group. Then, later on we served together at the unit where Walt was one of the original plankowners of the training division of the unit. He did a superb job there and spent much of his life, even after he retired he stayed on and remained at the unit as a firearms instructor and training instructor. He even went so far as to ensure that his mustache - he had a hell of a handlebar mustache - is mounted on a plaque in the unit dining facility. And his ashes when he passed away were scattered over Range 19.
Walt was a hell of a guy and it’s great to be associated with and have the ability to generate funds to help Special Operations Soldiers and their families. And that’s exactly what this watch will do.
— Richard Rice
5th Special Forces Group
US Army 1966-94
At first glance, the NATO strap can be a bit confusing and there are many ways to wear and configure NATO straps. Rich's preferred method will keep your watch secure in a "nice, neat package."