Royal Navy Interest - Fine Rolex Oyster Perpetual Submariner...

Hammer

£8,000

Royal Navy Interest - Fine Rolex Oyster Perpetual Submariner 'metres first' stainless steel gentleman's wristwatch, reference no. 5513, serial no. 116xxxx, circa 1965, bi-directional rotating bezel with black insert, metres first 'Swiss-T<25' black dial with gilt text 'Rolex Oyster Perpetual 200m = 660ft Submariner', dot and baton hour markers, minute markers, Mercedes hands and sweep centre seconds, screw-down crown, cal. 1530 26 jewel movement, the inside case stamped 5513 and dated 'III.63', the case back engraved 'M.F. Alford Royal Navy', later Oyster bracelet with fliplock clasp and extension, reference 93150 and dated 'CP12', 40mm bezel 
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** Receipt and 24 month guarantee for full service and new bracelet dated 18.4.23, Watchworks Bristol (Rolex Accredited Watchmakers)
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** Private provenance, the watch was purchased new by the present owner who has provided the following statement:

"I joined the Royal Navy in 1963 and in 1964 I qualified as a Navy Diver. I arrived in Singapore in 1964 and bought this Submariner at the Rolex Dealership in Orchard Road, Singapore City. 

I have dived all over the near and far east including Singapore, Pulau Tiomen, Hong Kong, Kobe Harbour in Japan, Kuching, Jesselton, Labuan in Borneo, The Nicobar Islands, Maldives, Mauritius, Seychelles, the coast off Mombasa in Kenya. I have repaired shark nets off the Forces beaches at Aden, as well as the Red sea off Djibouti and Assab. I have dived off Malta and Gibraltar and also all around the United Kingdom Coast. The deepest this watch has been in water is 400 feet off the coast of Bali. I have also worn this watch in numerous simulated pressure dives to 660 feet in compression chambers in Portsmouth and Plymouth.  I have worn this Submariner for 60 years" - M.F. Alford, 12th April 2024.

More Information

Box and Papers - no, service receipt and guarantee from Watchworks Bristol.
Movement - currently functioning.
Dial - very nice patina, the very outer edge from the seven to the five position has some tarnishing/wear otherwise appears in good condition.
Glass - some heavy scratches.
Hands - infill appears good, hands with general surface tarnishing.
Case - bezel rotating, case sides with surface marks and general scratches, some heavier scratch marks to the top left lug, some mild surface scuffs to the case back and stamped 'M.F. Alford Royal Navy', probably a service bezel insert.
Crown - adjusting correctly.
Bracelet - later replacement, some heavy scratches to the top endlink and adjacent link, further general light surface marks to the bracelet and clasp.
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Condition reports are provided for general guidance only. Please view images and further information can be obtained upon request. Gardiner Houlgate do not guarantee the working order or time accuracy of any lots. Due to the opening of the wristwatch case backs, it is recommended watches are re-sealed by professional technicians to ensure any stated water resistance is retained