Bonhams
Lot 98
Rolex. A rare stainless steel Military issue automatic wristwatch being sold by a former member of the Royal NavyModel: SubmarinerReference: 5513/5517Date: Circa 1975Movement: 26-jewel Cal.1520 automaticDial: Black, 200m=660ft, luminous dot hour markers, baton quarters, gilt outer minute divisions, polished dagger hands with luminous inserts, centre secondsCase: Brushed and polished tonneau form, screw down back and shouldered crown, case back inscription reads '0552/923-7697' '704/77', inside back date coded I.72, fixed lugs, black calibrated bezel insert, No.3926793Strap/Bracelet: Grey NATO fabricBuckle/Clasp: Steel buckleSigned: Case, dial & movement Size: 39mm Accompaniments: Rolex service box, an extensive archive of original photographs, further copied photographs and newspaper cuttings relating to the vendors military service, Rolex service paperwork dated November 2020, individual Rolex presentation bookletFootnotes: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 (not present on this watch), an encircled 'T' on the dial indicating the use of luminescent Tritium, and solid steel bars fixed between the lugs.The owner of the current lot had a distinguished military career and is happy for us to share the following record of his career:- 10th September 1957- joined Royal Navy at shore base Collingwood Fareham for training as an aircraft electrician- completed 19th April 1958 to Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose -796 sqdn Gannet a/c. - Left Culdrose for HMS Eagle 16th July 1958 as a flight deck electrician. Left HMS Eagle for Culdrose 3rd March 1959 to 750 Sqdn Sea Prince a/c.With 750 Sqdn moved to RNAS Hal Far Malta. Arrived at RNAS Yeovilton from Hal Far 25th March 1961 until 9th October 1961 when joined HMS Hermes as Flt deck crash crew.- February 1964 to RNAS Lee on Solent as a member of Fleet Air Arm Field Gun Crew training for Royal Tournament at Earls Court July 1964.- 9th November 1964 joined RNAS Yeovilton until 15th November 1966 when returned to Lee to prepare for 1967 Field Gun Crew. After 1967 FAA Field Gun at Lee for leading electricians course.- 13th May 1968 to RNAS Portland 829 Sqdn. Wasp helicopters training as a/c electrician/aircrew missile aimer. While at Osprey completed ships diving course.- 22nd January 1970 joined frigate HMS Tartar as aircrew/electrician until 30th January 1972, when joined the 1972 FAA Field Gun Crew for training for Earls Court.- Left Lee for Osprey Portland on 28th January 1973 for Search and Rescue divers course, on passing to training as SAR crewman and on completion to Lee SAR August 1973.- 13th July 1975 left Lee for HMS Ark Royal SAR Flt. until August 1976 when rejoined Lee, vetting men volunteering as aircrewmen in Pre Flight Training Deptmnt.- 19th June 1978 joined frigate HMS Gurkha as aircrew missile aimer until June 1979 when required back at Lee SAR as chief aircrewman.- Stayed with Lee SAR from June 1979 until 22nd April 1981 when joined RNAS Yeovilton for training as a commando crewman. On completion of the courses joined 845 Sqdn wessex.- Left 845 November 1983 for Lee SAR-Stayed with Lee SAR until 7th August 1984 when left the RN after serving for 27 years.- Applied for a job with Bristow Helicopters and joined on 1st July 1989, staying with them working from a platform in the North Sea flying in Bell 212 helos until 1999 (when decided to quit while ahead).The vendor represented the Fleet Air Arm three times in the Royal Navy Field Gun Competition and videos are available online.For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com
