ROLEX, MILITARY SUBMARINER REF.5513/5517 WITH "HUDSON" LETTER, MADE FOR THE BRITISH ARMYImportant information about this lot
Price Realised HKD 1,750,000
Estimate
HKD 1,200,000 - HKD 2,400,000
Estimates do not reflect the final hammer price and do not include buyer's premium, any applicable taxes or artist's resale right. Please see the Conditions of Sale for full details.
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ROLEX, MILITARY SUBMARINER REF.5513/5517 WITH "HUDSON" LETTER, MADE FOR THE BRITISH ARMY
This lot is offered by Christie's Hong Kong Limited
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Lot Essay
The present “Milsub” reference 5513 reveals the best of all ingredients this landmark model can possibly offer to the avid collector. The untouched dial is graced by the highly attractive discoloration of the luminous material to numerals and hands displaying a beautiful, uniform ivory tone. The bezel is the correct version featuring minute markings, unique for the military Submariner series. Futhermore the watch is fully confirmed by a letter issued by Rolex UK office with signature of H.N. Hudson.
The Military version of the Submariner ref. 5513 was adapted following the specifications requested by the British Ministry of Defence. The watches had to be fitted with fixed bar lugs with a diameter of at least 2 mm. The dials had to be easily readable and were therefore equipped with the larger “sword” hands. They also had to show the international symbol for Tritium, the encircled “T”. The hack feature allowing the precise setting of the time was another specific request. The models furthermore had a unique bezel with sixty minute marks rather than only the first fifteen minutes. The outside of the case backs was marked with the military broad arrow sign, Ministry of Defence issue numbers and unit number. Furthermore, the inside of the case backs repeated the serial number which is commonly only found between the lugs.
The outside of the case back of the present watch is engraved with the following markings:
0552 for British Ministry of Defense, 923-7697 for the NATO code (North Atlantic Treaty Organization), the Broad Arrow characterizing all watches owned by the British Army, the issue number and issue year.
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You have agreed to be bound by the Conditions of Sale and if your bid is successful, you are legally obliged to pay for the lot you have won. The purchase price for a successful bid will be the sum of your final bid plus a buyer’s premium, any applicable taxes and any artist resale royalty, exclusive of shipping-related expenses.
Condition report
A Christie's specialist may contact you to discuss this lot or to notify you if the condition changes prior to the sale.
The condition of lots can vary widely and the nature of the lots sold means that they are unlikely to be in a perfect condition. Lots are sold in the condition they are in at the time of sale.
Movement: ticking at the time of cataloguing, service recommended. Dial: extremely well preserved; luminous material nicely aged into warmer tone, does not react to UV; luminous material on the hands nicely aged to matching warmer tone; minor losing to the white minute indexes Case: inside case back stamped 5513 and IV 71, with marks possibly by watchmakers, and case number which matches the number between the lugs; bottom of the reference number and case number are partially worn out, but still legible; case with surface scratches and minor dent; bezel insert with discolouration and surface scratches; case back stamped 0552/923-7697, Board arrow and the issue number with issue year 77; back of the lug engraved 5517 Overall condition: excellent for its age
Cost calculator
Lot 11Sale 20909
ROLEX, MILITARY SUBMARINER REF.5513/5517 WITH "HUDSON" LETTER, MADE FOR THE BRITISH ARMYEstimate: HKD 1,200,000 - 2,400,000
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