Stunning condition rare 'double reference' milsub 5513/7

General

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.

Of the 1000 or so pieces original delivered to The MOD ...approximately 150-200 were a rare double reference ..that is to say they were manufactured as 5513 models but Rolex adopted the internal model number of 5517 to refer to Military submariners and so also engraved the model number 5517 on one lug. these pieces are highly coveted and very rare, not only did they suffer the usual woes of all 'Milsubs' but the small 5517 marks were easily polished off, it is important for the watch to belong to well researched batches to be accurately described as a double reference.

Case

40mm stainless steel. fixed case bars. original engravings to rear of case and internally. 5517 engraving to one lug.

Dial

this batch was the first to use the full size maxi dial so coveted by collectors and this one is in excellent condition.

Bracelet

Nato strap only

Accessories

Letter from Rolex UK confirming delivery and issue information. Rolex Service papers.