Comments on: Wants & Desires | British Military Rolex

By: Lineage of Influence

Lineage of Influence — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 21:28:44 +0000

@ JohnP. The watch in that auction you posted is a 5517, the more collectible of the Milsub variants (with its original sword hands which adds a fair amount of value). The one shown in this post is a 5513 with the standard spec Mercedes hands, hence the lower price. Still a damn fine watch though and more money tha I’m ever going to be spending on one.

A decent alternative for anyone after something like this are Tudors submariner that was used extensively by the military (mainly due to it’s lower price). When I get my arse in gear I’ll do a post on them.

By: Unlucky

Unlucky — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 08:43:20 +0000

Why not pick up a Canadian one for a fraction of the price.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Rolex-TUDOR-MILSUB-Canadian-Military-Submariner-94010-/280516906039?cmd=ViewItem&pt=Wristwatches&hash=item41501c4c37#ht_13642wt_876
And, if anyone wants a Horween strap for another fraction of the going rate let me me know. I’ve got shell in black or even better (imho) veg tanned horse butt.
s_willis@rocketmail.com

By: Leitz Noctilux

Leitz Noctilux — Sun, 06 Jun 2010 21:19:55 +0000

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g136/Basel2006/April%202010/5517A.jpg

Here is another one of mine, issued NOT to the Royal Navy or Marines, but to a helicopter pilot of the Army Air Corps.

By: Larry

Larry — Sun, 06 Jun 2010 21:16:41 +0000

Michael,

Check out Bathys Watches. I bought the base model without the bezel. They run around 600 dollars and you get a wonderful tool watch designed in Hawaii and produced in Switzerland. You can get them with an ETA movement if you prefer.

Aloha,

Larry

By: JohnP

JohnP — Sun, 06 Jun 2010 18:23:08 +0000

An absolute classic and a steal at that price, even if not all original. Here’s one from a couple of years ago at £55k, guess that was about $80k US at the time.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/edinburgh_and_east/7392129.stm

By: Veronica

Veronica — Sun, 06 Jun 2010 12:08:36 +0000

OMG Gorgeous gorgeous gorgeous. Always have preferred the sporty Rolexes over the dress watches. Somehow, dress watch suits Cartier more than Rolex. This one looks like it can withstand a punch!

By: patrick b

patrick b — Sun, 06 Jun 2010 01:23:06 +0000

$20k-$30k is actually a pretty good deal compared to what Mil-Subs fetched at the last big Antiquorum Rolex auction in June of 2008. IIRC there were two mil-subs and both sold for prices way north of $100K ($140K and $160K seems ring a bell). $30k seems like a bargain! I’ll take two :)
There was also a nice story about the same timeframe of a Scottish guy who brought a genuine Mil-Sub into his local Rolex AD and asked them to remove the permanent lug bars so he could install a regular bracelet. Thankfully the dealer recognized what the customer had and he eventually sold it to a collector in the UK (who owns several mil-subs). IIRC, the lucky gent inherited the watch from a family member who had obtained it when he was in the service. I often dream of finding something like that at a yard sale…a guy can dream, right?

By: Frankie

Frankie — Sat, 05 Jun 2010 01:15:08 +0000

Leitz: I would really like to get my wrist around a tan one if possible. Shoot me an email when you get chance, frankie@fatfrankies.com

By: Leitz Noctilux

Leitz Noctilux — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 21:44:44 +0000

Frankie;
They are made by a friend who makes much of the cordovan stuff for Brooks Brothers, he doesn’t retail them but if you really want one, I will see if I can get one for you. They run around $100 and come in black, or this tan colour.

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g136/Basel2006/April%202010/5512B4.jpg

By: Frankie

Frankie — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 19:59:07 +0000

Leitz: Where did you get the G10 made from Horween cordovan from? Looks great.