Details
CIRCA: 1975
CASE MATERIAL: Stainless steel
DIAMETER: 39 mm.
STRAP MATERIAL: Unsigned olive green nato strap
DIAL: Black
MOVEMENT: Automatic
FUNCTIONS: Time only
WITH: Rolex UK Bexley Office original letter dated 21 September 2006 signed by H.N. Hudson confirming that the present watch was supplied to Her Majesty's Dockyard, Devonport on 21 September 1977, Rolex London Service Centre service invoice and Rolex International service guarantee both dated 26 October 2006
Special notice
“The sale of non-NFT Lots numbered 1, 3, 4, 10 to 13, 18 to 20, 25 to 34 shall be governed by CONDITIONS OF SALE FOR CHRISTIE’S HONG KONG LIMITED – ONLINE-ONLY SALES: AUCTIONS AND BUY-NOW. Please refer to the correct Conditions of Sale and read carefully before placing any bid on a lot.”
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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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