Submariner | James Bond's Rolex Submariner | Military Submariner

Current Rolex Submariner Models:

Submariner 116610ln | Submariner 116610lv | Submariner 116613lb | Submariner 116613ln | Submariner 116618lb | Submariner 116618ln | Submariner 116619lb

Classic Rolex Submariner Models:

Submariner 14060m | Submariner 16610 | Submariner 16610lv | Submariner 16613 Blue Dial/Bezel | Submariner 16613 Black Dial/Bezel | Submariner 16618 Blue Dial/Bezel Submariner 16618 Black Dial/Bezel

Vintage Rolex Submariner Models:

Submariner 6200 | Submariner 6204 | Submariner 6536 | Submariner 6538 | Submariner 5508 | Submariner 5512 | Submariner 5513 | Submariner 5517 | Submariner 1680 | Submariner 16800 | Submariner 168000 | Submariner 14060

Military Submariner

Many watch manufacturers have made watches for the military outfits around the world, but the Rolex watches made specially for the Royal Navy in the 1970's have captivated Rolex collectors.
 

With the Military issue Rolex Submariner, or "Milsub" as they have become known, the general consensus is that approximately about 1200 watches were made and unfortunately many did not survive and of those that survive only several hundreds remains in their original configuration.

The Royal Navy had some specific modifications that were requested from Rolex. Lets take a look at some of the details.
 

The dial:
 

This one is a 5513 model , one of a number made especially for the Navy and supplied in 1976. It has solid bars fixed into the lugs so it can be fitted with a nylon strap. With a normal strap there is always a danger of losing the watch if one pin fails. The strap was also the method of attachment to the divers swim board, a rectangular board which also had a depth gauge and compass, the Navy diver used the swim board for basic navigation when attack swimming ships for planting limpet mines etc. The other important factor is less metallic material for when diving on magnetically influenced mines.

While the dial is a regular 5513 dial, the most distinctive modification if the large "T" in a circle above the depth markings at the six o'clock position. This was to indicate the presence of tritium for the markers.

The hands:

The hands are unique on this model and are often referred to as "sword" hands. The are very similar to the hands from the Omega Seamaster and are often used by some people to replace them but the seasoned collector will be able to tell due to some basic differences in the shape and length. Rolex does not make sword hands any more and their stock in not available. The hands due to their larger surface area and content of tritium often are prone to flaking or oxidation.

The bezel and insert:
The bezel is a standard production but the insert in many watches is a specially manufactured one with minute markings around the whole insert. This is unique for the military subs.

The case:
The case is a regular 5513 but the spring bars are fixed with metal bars to fit a NATO strap.

The caseback:

The caseback always has an MOD part number which starts with 0552 or with W10, a triangle with a hat on top and below an issue number and year.

Discussion.
These watches were delivered to the MOD in well know batches and their serials correspond. The dial are similar except for a small bath of dials with larger markers and slightly different coronets. The caseback numbers are quite different depending of the delivery date and must be compared to the another watch in the same delivery as they differences can be quite significant. To complicate the issues even more, some watches were delivered with Mercedes hands while others were delivered with the regular 15 min bezels. So that configuration can be correct depending on what batch it belongs. Also 5517 were made by Rolex as double reference 5513/5517.

These days, there are many convincing fakes around since they are quite expensive watches to acquire. To that point, we suggest not purchasing a mil sub without documentation from Rolex Geneva or Rolex UK and/or significant provenance or with the help of someone that has significant knowledge of Rolex military subs.

Different Configurations:
As mentioned earlier, there were several configurations of mil subs that are considered correct and original depending on the age and batch.
- The 5513 milsub was delivered with either sword hands or Mercedes hands from new
- The 5513 milsub came with either full 60 minute bezel insert or 15 min bezel insert from new.
-The 5517 milsub was delivered ONLY with sword hands and full 60 minute bezel
Closing

The 5513/17 military submariners are very special and highly desirable watches for collectors. The 5513 model was produced in 1977, its specs include: central second hand, self winding movement, waterproof, stainless steel military style case, polishing and brush process, screwed-down case back and crown, black bezel was bi-directional rotating, triplelock crown, fixed strap, 3927187 was engraved inside the case back, tie-axis to fix lugs, black dial, luminescent hands and hour markers, Cal. 1520 movement with rhodium plated, 26 jewels, line lever escapement, single metal balance wheel, shockproof device, free-sprung spring, stopping seconds device, 40mm in case diameter, 13mm in thick.

As for COMEX watches and in particularly the 5514 they represent and watch that was made specifically by Rolex with a specific role in mind. They were also used as tool watches as many of the COMEX watches and have seen very trying times in many different war zones. Some tell incredible stories about heroism of their owners while other tell a more humble story.

The bottom line is that a correct military submariner is a piece of Rolex and Royal Navy history and unlikely to be repeated.

2010 Update: The New Pro-Hunter Military Submariner 2010
 

The Rolex Vintage Military Submariner Circa 1972 ref 5513/5517 is one of the most sought after Vintage Rolex in the world of addictive Rolex collectors.

Commissioned by the British Ministry of Defense, Rolex had to design a Submariner that differed in many aspects from the standard Rolex Submariner ref 5513.

They have fixed bars:- the advantage of fixed bars was to make the watch lighter, and near impossible to lose the watch when worn with the Military G10 NATO Straps.

The Matt finish on the case gave the watch anti-reflective qualities when on daylight missions.

The special Gladiator Hands designed for much better visibility under low light conditions, either underwater or on night operations.

The Military Submariners have a bezel insert with full 60 individual minute markers, designed so that the SBS officers would be able to synchronize perfectly on dangerous covert missions.
The Pro Hunter Military Submariner

The Pro Hunter Military Submariner is a high quality customization of a Brand New Rolex Submariner Ref 14060M with a High Tec Military Carbon Fiber Insert developed by The Caparo T1 Engineering Team.

2011 Update: Ginault Mark I - The New Military Submariner

Ginault Watch Company presented their own interpretation of the "New Military Submariner" in 2011. The Mark I is actually based on a Rolex Yacht Master Design body. The dial is inspired by the latest Omega Seamaster Ploprof 1200M:

The Mark I implemented the famous Military Submariner's Sword Hands

It will be the most sexy looking Diver's watch on the market in the near future.