Rolex

• cal. 1520 automatic nickel lever movement, 26 jewels • black lacquered dial, applied luminous triangle, baton and dots indexes, luminous Mercedes hands, outer minute and seconds divisions • stainless steel brushed and polished Oyster case, bi-directional rotating bezel calibrated to 60 units, screw-down crown and back engraved with serial number inside, fixed lugs • case, dial and movement signed

Movement is in working order while cataloguing, but it has not been tested for the accuracy of time keeping and a service might be required at the buyer's expense. Later dial nicely crackled and aged into a perfect example of a "spider" dial. Indexes and hands are no longer glowing. Case in good condition with small dents to the right side band. Later bezel in good condition.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. All dimensions in catalogue descriptions are approximate. Condition reports may not specify mechanical replacements or imperfections to the movement, case, dial, pendulum, separate base(s) or dome. Watches in water-resistant cases have been opened to examine movements but no warranties are made that the watches are currently water-resistant. Please note that we do not guarantee the authenticity of any individual component parts, such as wheels, hands, crowns, crystals, screws, bracelets and leather bands, since subsequent repairs and restoration work may have resulted in the replacement of original parts. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue. In particular, please note it is the purchaser's responsibility to comply with any applicable import and export matters, particularly in relation to lots incorporating materials from endangered species.NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

**Please be advised that bands made of materials derived from endangered or otherwise protected species (i.e. alligator and crocodile) are not sold with the watches and are for display purposes only. We reserve the right to remove these bands prior to shipping.

Important Notice regarding importation into the United States of Rolex watches
Sotheby's cannot arrange for the delivery of Rolex watches to the United States because U.S. laws restricts the import of Rolex watches. The buyer or a designated agent may collect the property in the country of sale."

This watch is a typical example of a Military issue Rolex Submariner with reference 5517 engraved on the left bottom lug and reference 5513 between the lugs produced for one year only between 1974 and 1975. At that time only one batch was delivered to the British Ministry of Defence.  Another particularity of Military watches noticeable on this piece resides in the serial number inside the case back matching the usual digit between the lugs. This particular example bears a dial from the mid 80’s that has beautifully aged into a spider dial.

The outside of the case back is engraved with the following markings:
W10: British Ministry of Defence
6645: NATO code for wristwatches
99: NATO country code for UK
9237697: NATO code for diver’s wristwatches
926: assignment number
79: year of assignment