Rolex

• cal. 1530 automatic nickel lever movement, 26 jewels • black lacquered dial, luminous triangular, dot and baton indexes, outer minute and second track, luminous Mercedes hands • brushed and polished Oyster case, black bezel calibrated for 60 units, screw-down crown and back with inscription • case, dial and movement signed

Please note that the movement has not been checked for timekeeping accuracy and Sotheby's will not be held responsible for any repairs should they be require. Movement is in working order while cataloguing. Dial in good condition. Hands and indexes are no longer glowing. Case in good condition, back engraved MAR 001.
"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 very rare reference 5508 inscribed to the case back ‘MAR 001’ was most probably used by the French Marine Nationale. Replacing the reference 6536/1, the 5508 appeared with and without the depth rating indication. The present watch being part of the second version with ‘100m=330ft ‘ to the dial.
This watch is accompanied by its invoice from the Service des Domaines, which is a French government agency which deal with state owned property, and was sold through auction in 1992. This was almost certainly carried out to reduce military stock from the Marine Nationale, as was similarly done with many Breguet type XX watches sold to the French Air Force.
This extremely rare piece has remained in private hands for the last 22 years.

A similar example is illustrated in Skeet, M. & Urul, N., Vintage Rolex Sports Models, 2002, pp. 35.