Reply With QuoteErrrr WOW. :shock:
As always Mike, thanks for sharing something so so special. :)
Unfortunately it didn't come with pictures of the owner frying eggs with Superman or any other movie stars like the infamous "Bobles' 5510" on eBay :lol: but my latest acquisition, which has sat languishing forgotten in a drawer for thirty years, is pretty much the crowning glory of my milSub collection!
The watch is a 1957 ref. A/6538, with a number of characteristics which make it unique to the British military, and very significantly, the only A/6538 which I have ever seen still retaining its original "German silver" bezel.
A very small number of Submariners were ordered by the Bristish Ministry of Defence in the late 1950's, possibly for experimental purposes. It is likely the watches were originally fitted with standard 200m 660ft Submariner dials with radium luminous markers, radium hands, and radium bezel marker, similar to the watch below
As the real danger of radium became apparent, the watches were recalled to the Ministry of Defence in the early 1960's, where the watchmakers at the observatory at Herstmonceaux Castle in southern England fitted dials with tritium luminous markers, tritium hands, and bezel inserts with tritium markers dots. The dials were printed for the Ministry of Defence with a very clear and legible 3-6-9 lay-out, with a very tall Rolex coronet, and the T-circle signifying tritium luminous compound. The dials are also referred to as the "Burford dials".
The bezel on the watch is unique to the A/6538, being much deeper than that fitted to the civilian Submariner watch (possibly for better grip when wearing thick diving gloves?), and is made from a metal alloy referred to as German silver. The extra height of the bezel necessitates a "double height" glass retaining ring, but the bezel does not clip very securely and invariably these watches lose their original bezels (replacements are unobtainable :-( ). I'm pleased to say my watch also retains its original period super-dome crystal, which buffed up nicely with a little Poli-watch! The winder is the big 8mm Brevet crown, and althought the bezel "champfers" are still quite sharp, the watch has a few battle scars!
The watch also retains its original fixed strap retaining bars. These look like regular spring bars, but are again made from a metal alloy similar to the German silver bezel, and the ends of the pins are brazed into place. The Rolex reference number A/6538 is clearly engraved at the 12 o'clock case-end
but a case number was never engraved at the 6 o'clock case-end, and the case side is left brushed
The case back is engraved with British military issue numbers. These appear to be electro-eroded into the case back. The 0552 code signifies Royal Navy issue, with a five digit number below. Other watches have appeared with H.S. caseback engravings, signifying use by the Hydrographic Service (map making and exploration).
Inside, the watch is powered by the Rolex calibre 1030 movement
The inside of the caseback has a few more unique characteristics: the model reference number 6540 is struck-out three times, and replaced by a larger A/6538; and as with other A/6538 milSubs, the caseback is punched with the date code III.57
I'd like to think my Christmas came early, but I'm hoping Santa may grant my wish for a new arm and leg to replace the ones I sold to pay for this one!
Hopefully, that has to tick all the British milSub boxes for my collection now (A/6538; 5513; double-reference 5513/5517; 5517 Army-issue; 5517 Navy-issue)... if you can think of any more, keep it to yourself!!
MW
:shock: :D 8) :D :shock:
Errrr WOW. :shock:
As always Mike, thanks for sharing something so so special. :)
Mike, truly fantastic post, which unfortunately may not be read as much as on Watch Talk?
I could use that photo of the crown as my computer desktop image it's that nice 8)
Great idea Steve. Wonderful picture Mike.Originally Posted by burnsey66
Crowning glory indeed, that is just a fantastic piece!
Oh my sainted trousers!
That is THE grail of watches for me, 369 Milsub WOWSA, how rare is that and in wonderful nick :D
Splendid, just splendid :P
Yep, that's what I said when I saw it!!
Dunno about wonderful, but certainly honest!
Thank you for the kind words gents!!
:)
That's really rather wonderful and one I had never heard of. Thanks for posting.
In the Sotadic Zone, apparently.
Beautiful piece! If I could only posess half the knowlede that you have about Subs...
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Fixed that for you :wink: :wink: :wink:
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Lovely piece isn't it?
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______
Jim.
If only I could possess half the Subs :wink:
Very nice - hate to think what it might have cost :shock:
great write up thanks and a very desirable watch.
8) 8) 8) just stunning 8) 8) 8)
Wowser! 8)
"I looked with pity not untinged with scorn upon these trivial-minded passers-by"
You've reminded me of why I got into all this in the first place, thanks for posting that! Fascinating history--
Lovely watch. It would be great to know the history behind some of the dings.
Amazing find (again) Mr Wood :)
When you look long into an abyss, the abyss looks long into you.........
Awesome,never seen such a wonderful & outstanding MIl before. :shock:
very nice mate love them old subs :)
Just stumbled onto this beauty...
I wish you a long and happy marriage and maybe a few more family members in the years to come 8)
Regards,
Marc
That was an interesting read, and I really like the watch. Personally, today's Rolex do little for me but that is what I call a watch, and with a great bit of history too.
Love to know what it went through during its issued life...!
Wow :mrgreen: Some history in that Sub for sure. Nice
Cool. :thumbright:
Had strange a dream about having this one in one hand and a vintage Daytona in the other :wink: Never did get the stains out!
Great stuff as usual. You're one of my favourites :)
What I admire is how Mike describes his Rolex watches and how he gives us access to the very rare pieces, complete with history and excellent images.
The perfect forumer,
Adrian.
Fascinating watch. Thanks for posting.
Br,
AP. :D 8)
This seemed like a bit of a bargain, along with it's SEAL/Vietnam provenance and the genuine Olongapo bracelet I thought it would go a bit higher than a few grand:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... AUS%3A1123
Be interested to see what you think of this one Mike?
Really crappy eBay listing, with a written description which totally failed to inspire any confidence in the seller...
This could have easily cracked US$10k with good pictures, a well-written listing, and the inclusion of the provenance and the Olangapo bracelet from the start...
:?
Great watch and write up. I did see a couple of milsubs for sale on TOWS site and wondered what the fundraising might be for.
Funnily enough after reading this yesterday I visited an old Royal Navy submariner. He served in the 50's and 60's.
I asked him about watches (hoping he'd have a drawer full of Rolexes and Seamsters) and he said that had to provide their own.
I didn't press him but I did wonder whether that was really the case.
Great post Mike.
Lovely piece. Keep collecting!!
Cheers,
Tim.
Really interesting, just goes to show how little I know. Ive got a Seadweller but might be swayed now to look at some 'vintage' rolexes. I know it sounds daft but Im always a little worried about really using an old watch. ie for swimming and diving. Do you ever get this beauty wet I wonder??? :lol:
Great post as usual Mike. Thanks for sharing!
Wowwwwww what an amazing post thanks.
I was wondering what was causing the purge Mike, so many lovely watches going so I assumed the incoming was going to be really special, however this really is the grail of MilSubs!! Many many contrats on finding such a rare bestie.
I wonder how long it will be before Kingston produce their version :roll: :( :x
Andy
Whoever does not know how to hit the nail on the head should be asked not to hit it at all.
Friedrich Nietzsche
Great watch!!! Congrats!
I too was wondering why a number of exceptional pieces were up for grabs - lovely watch!
It's just a matter of time...
Flippin heck Mike that was interesting!!
Appreciated
Jon
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