
Jonathan Darracott
Global Head
Sold for £137,562.50 inc. premium
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Head of Department
Head of sale, Knightsbridge
In the early 1970s, the British Ministry of Defence commissioned a very limited batch of Rolex reference 5513 Submariners, designed to enhanced specifications to meet the demands of their Special Forces.
These "Military Submariners", or "MilSubs", differ in many ways from standard production pieces. They feature thicker, sword-shaped hands for enhanced legibility, a rotating bezel calibrated to 60 minutes, an encircled "T" on the dial indicating the use of luminescent Tritium, and solid steel bars fixed between the lugs.
As these watches were "tool watches" in the truest sense of the word, they were often repaired with service parts and in many cases heavily damaged during their years of military use. As such it is exceedingly rare to find a military issue Submariner in as well preserved, original condition as the present lot. The watch has never been offered at auction before.