Authenticating a Milsub

[tenerific]

Looking at a 5513 Milsub and am wondering two things -

- Do Milsubs always have fixed spring bars or not really?
- Are there ways to run the case back numbers anywhere?

[lee fowler]

Originally Posted by tenerific

Looking at a 5513 Milsub and am wondering two things -

- Do Milsubs always have fixed spring bars or not really?
- Are there ways to run the case back numbers anywhere?

Haywood is your man and I am sure he will be along soon.

[Juhuatai]

To answer your question 1, yes. The spring bars are soldered in. Haywood would know the answer to your second question I'm sure.

[mjclark32]

Another vote for Haywood
May want to send him a PM:
https://www.rolexforums.com/member.php?u=14127

[cardiel]

May want to send him a PM:

I don't think he receives PM's here.....he has mentioned this before. And anyway aren't Milsubs reference 5517 rather than 5513?

[tenerific]

I had my references wrong. One I’m looking at is 5512 and does NOT have fixed spring bars.

T dial, engraving on the back, sword hands.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Juhuatai]

If it's a 5512 then yes it is okay to not have fixed spring bars. Haywood has discussed this before I believe.

[Haywood_Milton]

Did I hear my name?

5512 with sword hands sets some alarm bells ringing.

I will be able to tell you if the case number is possible for a military 5512 or not.

1970s mil sub can be 5513, 5517 or double reference 5513 / 5517.

Late 1950s / early 1960s mil subs encompass some other models :-)

No, I don't take PMs here. Too many messages from people asking for my opinion of watches offered by other dealers, or how much they should sell their watch for on the forum, whether I can find them a steel Daytona for list price or which model I think is the best investment. It's a shame, as I would have been willing to help members with more thoughtful requests. I can, of course, be found in the real world beyond the forum, internet or physical.

A typical 5513 mil sub might be found with a dial like this :



Most 5512 mil subs appear now to have the crude MOD / Burford redial with super-tall crown.

H

[Mike Wood]

Originally Posted by tenerific

Looking at a 5513 Milsub and am wondering two things -

- Do Milsubs always have fixed spring bars or not really?

YES.

- Are there ways to run the case back numbers anywhere?

NO. Mr Henry Hudson, the former General Manager of Rolex UK, would kindly provide issue details (including case back issue numbers if he had them noted) of Rolex military Submariner watches from his records.

Since Mr Hudson's retirement, this information has not been available through official channels.

Several milsub enthusiasts retain private databases of watches for their own amusement...

Mike Wood