Rolex - The Geneva Watch Auction: THREE Geneva Saturday, May 14, 2016 | Phillips

The Geneva Watch Auction: THREE

Geneva Auction 15 May 2016

  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: 1968
    Reference No: 5513
    Case No: 1'946'442
    Model Name: Submariner "Propiedad Armada De Chile"
    Material: Stainless steel
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. 1520, 26 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Rubber
    Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel pin buckle
    Dimensions: 39.5 mm. Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial and movement signed.
    Caseback further stamped 442 and IV.68

  • Catalogue Essay

    Launched in 1962, reference 5513 is considered amongst watch collector as the purest vintage Submariner.
    Armed Forces around the world commissioned Rolex to custom make watches for their high-ranking officials and personnel. Amongst the military watches produced by Rolex, those made in the 1960s and 1970s for South American military forces were the most uncommon probably because of the political turmoil of that period. Amongst South American military watches, the Submariner reference 5513 commissioned by the Chilean Navy is by far the rarest and most sought after especially since only four of these models are known to date.

    The Rolex Submariner models commissioned for the Chilean Navy were delivered with an engraving on the outside caseback reading "Propiedad Armada de Chile". Unlike the civilian versions of these watches, those designed for the Navy not only had the serial number engraved in-between the lugs at 6 o’clock, but also had the last 3 digits inscribed in the caseback. Furthermore there was no movement number. This reference 5513 comes correctly equipped with its original caseback and matte dial. The latter, along with the bezel have aged beautifully to a dark grey color .
    As we can assume these watches were used and worn often by the recipients in military environments, the present example is especially well preserved in overall excellent condition, making it a worthy example for the discerning Submariner collector.

  • Artist Biography

    Rolex

    Swiss • 1905

    Founded in 1905 England by Hans Wilsdorf and Alfred Davis as Wilsdorf & Davis, it soon became known as the Rolex Watch Company in 1915, moving its headquarters to Geneva in 1919. Like no other company, the success of the wristwatch can be attributed to many of Rolex's innovations that made them one of the most respected and well-known of all luxury brands. These innovations include their famous "Oyster" case — the world's first water resistant and dustproof watch case, invented in 1926 — and their "Perpetual" — the first reliable self-winding movement for wristwatches launched in 1933. They would form the foundation for Rolex's Datejust and Day-Date, respectively introduced in 1945 and 1956, but also importantly for their sports watches, such as the Explorer, Submariner and GMT-Master launched in the mid-1950s.

    One of its most famous models is the Cosmograph Daytona. Launched in 1963, these chronographs are without any doubt amongst the most iconic and coveted of all collectible wristwatches. Other key collectible models include their most complicated vintage watches, including references 8171 and 6062 with triple calendar and moon phase, "Jean Claude Killy" triple date chronograph models and the Submariner, including early "big-crown" models and military-issued variants.

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233

Rolex

Ref. 5513
An extremely rare and fine stainless steel divers wristwatch made for "Armada de Chile"

1968
39.5 mm. Diameter
Case, dial and movement signed.
Caseback further stamped 442 and IV.68

Estimate
CHF30,000 - 50,000 
€27,500-45,900
$30,900-51,500

Sold for CHF161,000

Contact Specialist
Nathalie Monbaron
+41 22 317 81 83

The Geneva Watch Auction: THREE

Geneva Auction 15 May 2016