The Mondani Collection of Rolex Wrist...

Geneva, May 14, 2006

LOT 31

Ref. 5517, ?S.B.S. Submariner? Rolex ?Oyster Perpetual, Submariner, 660 ft=200 m", Ref. 5517/5513. Case No. 5339807 stamped between the lugs and on the case back. Made in 1977 for the British Special Boat Service and issued in 1978. British military issue number 0552/923-7697, 876/78. Very fine and very rare, center-seconds, self-winding, water-resistant, stainless steel, military diver?s wristwatch with gray bezel and fixed bar lugs.

CHF 20,000 - 30,000

EUR 13,000 - 20,000 / USD 16,000 - 24,000

Sold: CHF 61,360

C. Three-body, polished and brushed, screwed-down engraved case back and crown, graduated revolving gray bezel for the decompression times, "Triplock" winding-crown protected by the "Crown Guard". D. Black with luminous round, triangular and bâton indexes. Luminous "Sword" hands. M. Cal. 1520, rhodium plated, 26 jewels, straight line lever escapement, monometallic balance, shock-absorber, self-compensating flat balance spring. Dial, case and movement signed. Diam. 40 mm. Thickness 14 mm.


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Grading System
Grade:
Case: 3

Good
Movement: 3*

Good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 3-01

Good

HANDS Original

Notes

This watch is from a series of watches ordered from Rolex by the British Navy for use by the commandos of the British Special Boat Service, one of the world?s most highly trained Special Forces. These watches all have fixed bar lugs which by stipulation of the British Ministry of Defence should not be less than 2 mm in diameter. Other stipulations were that the hands should be of sword type as they are more clearly legible under low light conditions, that the dials be marked with the ?Circle T? which is the international symbol for Tritium, and that the case backs be engraved on the interior with the case number to avoid backs being swapped during servicing, thereby rendering the issue mark invalid as the case numbers for all the watches are recorded against the Government Issue (G.I.) number in the Quartermaster?s register. This watch is illustrated in ?Rolex, Collecting Wristwatches?, by Osvaldo Patrizzi, 2001 Edition, p. 299.