5513 milsub at auction for $50k

[southtexas]

Did anyone else see this auction that closed yesterday? Thoughts on the watch itself? Obviously bezel insert is service. I’ve seen mention that hands could be sword or Mercedes or a combination from factory...is that correct? How about engravings on outside caseback. And what about serial on Caseback being different than serial on case?

https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item...itish-military




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[Haywood_Milton]

Mil subs of 1970s ff. were manufactured and supplied with sword hands, period.

[Haywood_Milton]

Further to my first comment, I have now looked at the details.

Incorrect, non-matching case-backs are frustratingly common on mil subs. They were often serviced together, which obviously lent itself to mix-ups. It is a part of their history, but does affect value.

This watch, then, would appear to be missing its correct bezel, missing its correct hands, has the fundamental case / back mis-match......but there is an essence of mil sub left in them and what appears to be an original dial. Bit of a mess, price probably reasonable.

Would be very satisfying to match the parts with their correct, corresponding watches. It does happen occasionally and there are a number of us with our own registers of mil subs, Comex watches etc. Anyone know the full numbers on both parts?

[southtexas]

Thanks very much. Your explanation of the Caseback mismatch is exactly what I’d assumed. I got the hands info from a fairly thorough write-up on a blog/marketplace site, didn’t know what to make of it. Had you seen this watch for sale anywhere?


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[Haywood_Milton]

I have now returned to my office and found more details of this watch.

Yes, it appears that it surfaced in 2015 with the same seller - it is Watches of Knightsbridge, isn't it? < lips tighten >

I note that the watch with corresponding, mis-matched parts had surfaced elsewhere in 2010.

[Haywood_Milton]

Originally Posted by southtexas

I got the hands info from a fairly thorough write-up on a blog/marketplace site

"typical and indiscriminate rehash of myths and third party information, including this specific toot which has been expounded for years by those whose mil subs have Mercedes hands and would wish that they were original."

On this point, it may be worth reflecting that at least half of my own, many mil subs have Mercedes hands, so it would be very much in my interest to support the claim that they were original. I cannot.

[rootbeer7]

brilliant thread and knowledge Haywood. It must be amazing to swap & reunite correct parts.

[southtexas]

Originally Posted by Haywood_Milton

"typical and indiscriminate rehash of myths and third party information, including this specific toot which has been expounded for years by those whose mil subs have Mercedes hands and would wish that they were original."

On this point, it may be worth reflecting that at least half of my own, many mil subs have Mercedes hands, so it would be very much in my interest to support the claim that they were original. I cannot.

Fully understood. I wasn’t sure of the veracity of the info on the site, which is why I didn’t link to it.

In my 10 years of watching the forums, I recall maybe 1 instance of legit sword hands popping up for sale. I imagine finding a set would be a tall order for anyone not in the right collecting circle.

And yes it was watches of Knightsbridge. I wondered why they selected the venue they did. One would think that watch, even with its service parts, would have done better at a more prestigious auction house (unless the watch had a history?)?