The Rolex Forums   The Rolex Watch

ROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEX


Go Back   Rolex Forums - Rolex Forum > Rolex & Tudor Watch Topics > Vintage Rolex Discussion

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 5 October 2024, 06:55 AM   #1
jedly1
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: mel(oz)/Yorks(uk)
Posts: 1,929
Simply the best Submariner I've owned Rolex 5510 RAN

Some of you may remember myself and another gentleman talking about 5510 Big Crown Submariners supplied to the Royal Australian Navy a few months ago, well as we met here it only seemed polite to give those interested an update, maybe some of you will enjoy seeing the watch , half a world of travel to discuss and share and I was very grateful to come home the new owner of what is probably the best Submariner I've been lucky enough to own...... period... and that's a big statement for me.


I do appreciate that I am very lucky , I get to bounce around the world hunting watches and get to handle some of the most amazing and special examples , often from original owners whose stories i can listen to for hours . Many of the watches I handle never get seen in public before going into some of the more discrete collections around the world especially if they are duplicates of something I already have in my own collection , but this one is so special and close to my heart I had to share it here in full where I met the owner seemed rude not to.

I think this is EASILY the best Submariner I have been lucky enough to own ... Milsub, 369, Big crown "Bond" Submariner, original provenance , condition ...it is all here a one watch complete Submariner collection .

Having owned almost 100 Milsub's now , dozen. and dozens of Comex , Arab logo dials , bucketloads of Paul Newman Daytonas and crazy museum quality 369 dial civilian submariners , I have to say, for me personally this watch has ticked every single box as a plastic Australian that now calls this place home and as a diehard tool watch collector .

Having talked a few months ago , we arranged to meet next time I was in UK, Ironically him being an Aussie living in UK and me being a pommie in Australia. I headed over for Goodwood revival in September and had the pleasure to pop in for a pint en route to talk all things RAN for an hour ..... almost 5 hours (and a parking fine later )the world was set straight , I had drooled sufficiently all over the watch , the history of the RAN Clearance diving teams, and the fantastic life the original owner had lived across the globe.

The watch in question is to date the only known 'Full spec ' 1958 Rolex 5510 big crown Rolex Submariner still with original radium lume '369' dial ( I was fortunate enough to be able to take 3 other 5510 to compare geiger reads to confirm my own visual pre. inspection ).

issued to the original owner by the Royal Australian Navy and until now still owned by the son of the original recipient , a well documented officer in the RAN clearance diver teams .


For those that don't know, which will be most , Circa 1963 , following the radium scares at the start of the 1960's it is felt the RAN 5510 still in service were recalled and relumed using (a slightly unsightly) tritium based compound and put back into service . Of the 5 watches known to date , 4 have relumed dials ( one of which was formerly mine) , one has been relumed again in more recent times and one watch does retain what is possibly the original lume but without any RAN stores numbers .

Of the known watches only a single watch , one of the re-lumed watches, retains its original RAN issue numbers , most numbers likely removed prior to disposal at clearance Auction in the 1980's and 90's.

Of the known watches none have RAN owner provenance beyond being possibly bought at disposal auction.

Luckily for me , this watch was issued to the officer after qualifying as a clearance diver and joining CDT1 , but was damaged in action on an arduous recovery job somewhere early in 1962 at Botany Bay ( see attached letter ) .

With a big chunk out of the glass and a stalled centre second hand the watch was demoted to be wearable on dry land only and mostly thrown in a kit drawer until being bought out by the officer later in his career when leaving the service ( and going on to other worldwide adventures ! ) whilst he I guess just went and got another from stores.

The watch remains as it left the factory and issued , in full original spec , beat up a bit as you'd expect . The glass is chipped ( but polished smooth with time and now polywatch ) the centre second hand white paint has all but faded away and doesn't run , the minute cracked hand lume was floating around in there but has been pulled out now and luckily hadn't damaged the dial !

The well documented officer had some high profile exploits clearing unexploded mines in Australia and meeting his son and listening to the stories his dad relayed to him , not just from the time in the CD teams, but also later in live an 'independent contractor" , international art dealer and then salvor has been a real pleasure ....

Luckily his son also still had a copy of the Royal Australian Navy clearance divers full manual, first issued in 1966 , which I don't believe any of us have ever seen before ( telephone directory thick ! ) which details every single aspect of being a Clearance Diver , training , procedures , kit , and of course plenty of Australian humour , because well you know , it's not the British Navy 😜...

There is a nice section on watches featuring a picture of a 5510 , and a section on the watches and who got them , making it indisputable they were issued to RAN.

With a memory stick full of military service records , extracts from several books quoting and mentioning the diver , and of course photos I've got plenty of reading ahead .

The glass will have to be replaced , seals replaced. the movement serviced and the hands stabilised , maybe a pearl , but then she's good to go !!!

Milsub , 369 dial , big crown , provenance ..... I think that's it ...I may have concluded the watch game !!

Shown here with my A6538 red depth 369 , my RAAF 5510 found rusted solid in a bag of broken watches a few years ago , I reckon it's a pretty nice triple set .
Attached Images
File Type: jpg IMG_4969.jpg (192.8 KB, 762 views)
File Type: jpg IMG_0116.jpg (61.0 KB, 742 views)
File Type: jpg IMG_4949.jpg (97.4 KB, 741 views)
File Type: jpg IMG_5055.JPG (94.9 KB, 746 views)
File Type: jpg IMG_4982.JPG (111.6 KB, 740 views)
File Type: jpg IMG_5011.jpg (145.4 KB, 741 views)
File Type: jpg IMG_5012.jpg (130.9 KB, 745 views)
File Type: jpg IMG_5013.jpg (152.4 KB, 738 views)
File Type: jpg 5578AD62-25DB-4234-BA4F-92F46DF22EEA.jpg (107.4 KB, 738 views)
File Type: jpg IMG_4974.jpg (83.2 KB, 742 views)
File Type: jpg IMG_4951.jpg (216.8 KB, 742 views)
jedly1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 5 October 2024, 06:58 AM   #2
jedly1
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: mel(oz)/Yorks(uk)
Posts: 1,929
bit more

you get the idea....big memory stick to read. !!
Attached Images
File Type: jpg IMG_5131.jpg (150.1 KB, 740 views)
File Type: jpg IMG_5143.jpg (127.9 KB, 731 views)
File Type: jpg IMG_5142.jpg (153.2 KB, 731 views)
File Type: jpg IMG_4975.JPG (85.4 KB, 736 views)
File Type: jpg IMG_5141.jpg (168.9 KB, 725 views)
File Type: jpg IMG_4832.jpg (162.4 KB, 726 views)
File Type: jpg key to Surfers.jpg (35.1 KB, 726 views)
File Type: jpg IMG_5184.jpg (287.6 KB, 722 views)
File Type: jpg IMG_5185.jpg (47.4 KB, 728 views)
Attached Files
File Type: pdf Surfers Paradise (2)1966.pdf (59.0 KB, 49 views)
jedly1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 5 October 2024, 07:54 AM   #3
Mark020
"TRF" Member
 
Mark020's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Amsterdam
Posts: 2,132
Fantastic story and fabulous watch
Mark020 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 5 October 2024, 07:56 AM   #4
jamie mcilhatton
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Real Name: Jamie
Location: Scotland
Posts: 26
Fantastic post and watch
jamie mcilhatton is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 5 October 2024, 09:28 AM   #5
watchcrank
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Real Name: michael
Location: Florida
Watch: explorer II cream
Posts: 1,664
Once in a life time for most, huge congratulations. M
watchcrank is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 5 October 2024, 10:09 AM   #6
Dan S
2024 Pledge Member
 
Dan S's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: Colorado, USA
Posts: 6,268
That watch has everything going for it.
__________________
@oldwatchdan on IG
Dan S is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 5 October 2024, 10:28 AM   #7
Pete17
2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member
 
Pete17's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Real Name: Pete
Location: Base Camp
Posts: 627
Congrats Jed on a great find! I know how you’ve loved these milsubs for decades and this one takes the cake. Looking forward to seeing it in person


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
__________________
Take care
Pete
Pete17 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 5 October 2024, 10:49 AM   #8
brandrea
2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member
 
brandrea's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Real Name: Brian (TBone)
Location: canada
Watch: es make me smile
Posts: 77,918
Bravo
brandrea is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 5 October 2024, 11:26 AM   #9
cowboy music
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: Texas
Watch: 5513
Posts: 136
Amazing! Thanks for sharing. That's a wonderful story.

cowboy music is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 5 October 2024, 11:27 AM   #10
00Seven
"TRF" Member
 
00Seven's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Real Name: Nick
Location: Kennesaw, GA
Watch: Omega
Posts: 825
Amazing. Congrats!
00Seven is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 5 October 2024, 12:06 PM   #11
Autococker07
2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2019
Real Name: Jim
Location: NWFL
Watch: 126710
Posts: 51
Wow, thats an amazing watch!
Autococker07 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 5 October 2024, 02:08 PM   #12
Dr.Smellody
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Salem, OR
Posts: 5,394
Wow. Just fantastic ��
Dr.Smellody is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 5 October 2024, 03:18 PM   #13
996marty
"TRF" Member
 
996marty's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2019
Location: Uk
Watch: RolexGMT/Tudor7928
Posts: 4,181
A fabulous watch with some amazing history
996marty is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 5 October 2024, 04:52 PM   #14
joli160
2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member
 
joli160's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: NL
Watch: Yachtmaster
Posts: 14,744
Thank you so much for sharing. Glad you were able to acquire this one.
Amazing piece of history
__________________
Day Date 18238, Yachtmaster 16622, Deepsea 116660, Submariner 116619, SkyD 326935, DJ 178271, DJ 69158, Yachtmaster 169622, GMT 116713LN, GMT 126711.
joli160 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 5 October 2024, 05:41 PM   #15
rootbeer7
2024 Pledge Member
 
rootbeer7's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: london
Posts: 6,147
What an incredible piece of history. Would you (or anyone here) have a link to the most concise history of the big crowns? There’s a lot online but some conflicting info.
__________________
@imrootbeer7
rootbeer7 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 5 October 2024, 07:44 PM   #16
geoach
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2023
Location: Detroit
Watch: 18078
Posts: 538
thanks for the post so refreshing to read with all the other incoming posts or what watch to buy or wear
geoach is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 5 October 2024, 10:45 PM   #17
1William
2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: North Carolina
Watch: Rolex/Others
Posts: 47,671
Very nice.
1William is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 6 October 2024, 01:21 AM   #18
ratty
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Real Name: Graham
Location: UK
Watch: Daytonas and Subs
Posts: 2,802
Very nice.
ratty is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 6 October 2024, 05:03 AM   #19
DarknerImperator
"TRF" Member
 
DarknerImperator's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2017
Real Name: Francesco
Location: Italy
Posts: 118
Amazing History!!. Big Congrats!
DarknerImperator is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 6 October 2024, 05:44 AM   #20
subtona
"TRF" Member
 
subtona's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Real Name: gus
Location: East Coast
Watch: APK & sometimes Y
Posts: 26,578
Congratulations. Fantastic find.
__________________
subtona is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 6 October 2024, 07:31 AM   #21
linesiders
2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member
 
linesiders's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: RedSox Nation
Watch: U Talkn Bout Wilis
Posts: 5,501
Mic Drop
__________________
I'm a sailor peg. And I've lost my leg. Climbing up the top sails. I've lost my leg!
linesiders is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 6 October 2024, 07:45 AM   #22
Texasjim
2024 Pledge Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Real Name: Jim
Location: Lone Star State
Watch: ...this!
Posts: 216
Soooo awesome!
__________________
114060, 116010lv, 126710BLRO, 126610, 116600, 4x5513, 4x1675, 2x16610, 2x1680, 16610LV, 16710, 116500, 124300, 16803, 5512, 114300, 126618, 2x6536/1, 6205, 18038, 16570, 1665, 126333, 126603
Texasjim is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 6 October 2024, 08:48 AM   #23
suligeo
2024 Pledge Member
 
suligeo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: USA
Posts: 597
Cool piece 👌🏼


https://www.instagram.com/vintage_georgex/
suligeo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 6 October 2024, 11:20 AM   #24
one80
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2021
Location: Australia
Posts: 71
Amazing!
I'd be pretty happy with that "triple set" of military watches too... or even just one!
I imagine your collection is quite something to behold jedly1.
one80 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 6 October 2024, 08:12 PM   #25
Dom9
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2023
Real Name: Dom
Location: United Kingdom
Watch: SD16600 & 9411
Posts: 472
Wow! Lovely! That's quite the collection! Though I've always been a CG man, these and the Tudor 7924 are really growing on me!
__________________
Rolex 16610, 16600, 2 x Tudor 9411/0 black, 2 x blue and a black 79090
Dom9 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 6 October 2024, 11:58 PM   #26
subx
2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: usa
Posts: 541
Submariners linked with provenance of professional Diving history and/or Military are my favs, but THIS... is just stunning !
historically linked with diving, navy, log books and all, AND an incredibly rare reference to start with... and with 369 to boot !
that would the ultimate piece for me too ! Enjoy it to the fullest ~!
__________________
30 years of collecting Submariners.
subx is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 24 October 2024, 06:37 AM   #27
jedly1
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: mel(oz)/Yorks(uk)
Posts: 1,929
And by way of an update to close the circle fully

Huge thanks to RM for the super speedy service , full movement service completed in under three weeks ! ( it was pretty much untouched but with major impact having taken out a couple jewels and pivots in the big impact ) , new domed glass , waterproofed , debris removed and hands sorted ....good to go for another 65 years .
Attached Images
File Type: jpeg IMG_5608.jpeg (250.8 KB, 373 views)
jedly1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 24 October 2024, 10:07 AM   #28
flyinghell34
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Napoli
Posts: 323
Simply stunning!!
flyinghell34 is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 24 October 2024, 10:38 PM   #29
Pete17
2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member
 
Pete17's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Real Name: Pete
Location: Base Camp
Posts: 627
Looks great Jed, nice job on the bezel pip too.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
__________________
Take care
Pete
Pete17 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 25 October 2024, 12:46 AM   #30
JackGale
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2021
Location: Florida
Posts: 22
Thank you for the post. Great story. Great watch.
JackGale is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

DavidSW Watches

Takuya Watches

OCWatches

Asset Appeal

Wrist Aficionado


*Banners Of The Month*
This space is provided to horological resources.





Copyright ©2004-2024, The Rolex Forums. All Rights Reserved.

ROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEX

Rolex is a registered trademark of ROLEX USA. The Rolex Forums is not affiliated with ROLEX USA in any way.