5517 Full spec all original Milsub W10

General

Any milsub is rare...but an actual 5517 is a whole different ball game, assigned it's unique model number in the records at Geneva and engraved between the lugs as such... produced specifically for the British MOD .......W10 army supply, 5517, perfect dial, original matching sword hands, unmarked 60 bezel….super fat case...superdome...papers ...what are you waiting for...NOT to be confused with a 5513 milsub ... one of a batch of 50 originally supplied and with only a very small number surviving in some of the most notable collections around the world.

The W10 issued watches ( Army) were only sent out in small numbers and it is felt by many that these watches were supplied through the Army depot at Castle Donnington with many going to the SAS forces, and other to the Army Air Corp (AAC) and as such are highly sought after.

Throughout the 1970's the Rolex Watch Company supplied the British Ministry of Defence (MOD) with a unique divers watch, the specifically designed Military submariner. The watch was designed with certain unique features to meet the MOD purchasing specification and to supersede and improve on the Omega 300 as the MOD's divers watch of choice. These features include ;

- Over sized gladiator sword hands for increased luminous visibility
- Full 60 minute marked bezel for addition countdown time
- Fixed case bars for extra durability
- Dial marked with a 'circle T' to denote the tritium used in the dial construction
- Engravings to denote the piece as property of the Crown
- Engravings to denote the unique stores numbers of the piece

Due to a high rate of attrition, disposal by the MOD and a decade of dealers 'restoring' these watches to civilian standards there is only a fraction of the original 1000 or so supplied left in existence, of this there is an even smaller number that retain the full original specification and have not lost their original features to servicing needs.

Case

40mm stainless steel oyster case expertly detailed by Rolex UK, fixed case bars, crisp engravings all around. Issue numbers and Nato stores marking to case rear.

Dial

Beautiful deep patina on this 'smudge crown' 5517 dial.

Bracelet

None - nylon canvas nato strap.

Accessories

Rolex UK paperwork.