Read our expert's description
Brand :
Rolex
Collection :
Submariner
Model :
Submariner
Reference :
Rolex - 5517
Category :
Wrist Watch
Condition :
Like new
Period :
1970's
Watch ID :
865 78
Movement :
Automatic
Caliber :
1520 T
Case material :
Steel
Case form :
Barrel-shaped
Dial color :
Black
Reference Detail :
5517 / 5513 ,
Complications :
Central second
Description :
ROLEX. AN EXTREMELY RARE STAINLESS STEEL AUTOMATIC WRISTWATCH WITH SWEEP CENTRE SECONDS, HACK FEATURE AND MILITARY MARKINGS, MADE FOR THE BRITISH ROYAL NAVY.SIGNED ROLEX, OYSTER PERPETUAL, MILITARY SUBMARINER MODEL, REF. 5517/5513, CASE NO. 5'339'782, CIRCA 1978.Cal. 1520 automatic movement, 26 jewels, black dial with encircled T indicating tritium, luminous dot, baton and dagger numerals, luminous sword hands, sweep centre seconds, tonneau-shaped water-resistant-type case, black revolving bezel calibrated for 60 units, fixed lug bars, screw back with military issue numbers O552/923-7697, unit number 865 78 and serial number repeated on the inside, screw down crown, case, dial and movement signed.39 mm. diam..Special Notice.Prospective buyers should be aware that the importation of Rolex watches into the United States is highly restricted. Rolex watches may not be shipped into the USA and can only be imported personally. Generally a buyer may import only one watch into the USA. For further information please contact our specialists in charge of the sale. Please note other countries may have comparable import restrictions for luxury watches..View Lot Notes >.Lot Notes.US$120,000-180,000.MilSubs are extremely rare by definition as they were never delivered to the public but only made for the military. Some examples have survived, others have disappeared and some were damaged. For those examples that have survived, few of them are of collectable quality. Collectors of rare vintage Rolex watches are extremely find of MilSubs, especially those that have survived in excellent condition, such as this fantastic specimen offered here for auction at Christie's..This watch is an outstanding example of a military reference 5517/5513, impressing by its beautiful and original overall condition..Furthermore, both the reference and serial numbers finely engraved between the lugs are clearly legible and proof of the beautiful life the watch has enjoyed for the last decades. The dial is intact and displays attractive lumes of vanilla-like colour. Furthermore, all key elements a demanding and savvy Rolex connoisseur would expect to see are united in this example: fixed bar lugs, large sword hands, the international symbol for Tritium encircled T on the dial, the unique bezel with sixty minute markers (rather than only the first fifteen minutes), the hack feature, the outside of the case back marked with the military broad arrow sign, Ministry of Defense issue number and unit number, furthermore the inside of the case back repeats the serial number which is commonly only found between the lugs..The present MilSub is also accompanied by a letter from Rolex confirming the delivery of the watch to the British Royal Navy - a valuable proof of authenticity for any discerning collector..Finding close to perfect examples are today near impossible, therefore the present MilSub must be considered one of the best specimen to come up at auction in recent years.
