Rare Rolex 5513 / 5517 Steel Military made for the British Armed Forces, 1970s

Rare Rolex 5513 / 5517 Steel Military made for the British Armed Forces, 1970s
Rolex Submariner manufactured in 1978 for the British Armed Forces. Black dial, automatic Caliber 1520, 26 rubies with stainless steel Oyster case, screw-down crown and caseback. Case number: 3XXXXXX Closure: associated stainless steel buckle. Accessories: courtesy strap is attached. Dimensions: 39.5 mm Signed: case, dial and movement. According to experts, the Submariner's military dials are marked with a T above the depth indication, the lugs have solid bars, and the casebacks are engraved with a military man. men. issue number, delivery date and the famous "Broad Arrow". Some 5513s and all 5517s fitted Rolex with wider "spade" hands and a new bezel that was fully calibrated at 60 units. Other reference 5513 models came with any combination of hands or bezels. Nicknamed "Milsub" by collectors, the modifications made since then have become well known in the world of vintage watches. Given the conditions and environments for which they were manufactured, specimens in good condition that have not changed since production are incredibly desirable, and specimens with fully calibrated bezels and "spade" hands even more so. So the watch above ticks all the boxes for the discerning collector's eye. This reference 5517 can certainly be seen as an excellent opportunity to add a very nice piece to any collection. Provenance: the property of a deceased watchmaker, Barcelona.