Mil Sub on Antiques Roadshow on TV in UK yesterday.

[ratty]

Hello

I don't know if anyone else saw this TV programme show yesterday in the UK.

Someone brought in a Submariner to be examined by an expert.

I would be interested to hear what other people who know more than I do about these watches thinks about the expert's description on the watch. As I have said, I don't have much knowledge of these pieces but I was surprised by some of his comments.

He pointed out the small 'T' printed on the watch's face and explained that.

He pointed out the engraved numbers and signs on the back and explained them saying that the watch was 'dated' (my word) from 1977 and was originally for issue to the SBS.

He explained that the military had requested that the bezel be marked with individual marking for the 0 to 15 minutes. I thought that mil subs had individual minute marking all around the bezel. The watch appeared to have a standard bezel to me!

He pointed out that the military requested different larger 'sword' hands. Again the watch appeared to me to have standard hands.

He pointed out that the spring bars are 2mm thicker on military watches. My understanding is / was that the spring bars are fixed and can not be removed. This watch appeared to have a standard metal bracelet when I was expecting a nylon or other material strap to be fitted.

I'm sure there was something else but I can't remember what it was!

I'm sure that some will find the section of the programme interesting and I would really like to hear what people who know more than I do about these watches thinks of his assessment.

Can anyone tell me if my view on mil subs is correct please.

Thanks

[OrangeSport]

It's here:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode...ow-town-hall-1

I agree, some of it was odd. I expected solid bars and the hands looked normal to me. Also, he said he was inspired to buy the watch after reading the Bond books; I thought he wore an Explorer in those, and the Sub just appeared in the films as the director was wearing one and they couldn't borrow an Explorer.

[locutus49]

As I recall, the author Ian Fleming wore an explorer when he wrote the first books, but the Rolex model worn by Bond was not specified. I could be wrong.

[ratty]

Originally Posted by OrangeSport

It's here:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode...ow-town-hall-1

I agree, some of it was odd. I expected solid bars and the hands looked normal to me. Also, he said he was inspired to buy the watch after reading the Bond books; I thought he wore an Explorer in those, and the Sub just appeared in the films as the director was wearing one and they couldn't borrow an Explorer.

Clip about watch starts at about 33:33.

[GolfPunk]

He said the 'Lugs' were 2mm thicker not the spring bars

[ming the merciless]

I also saw the programme and was surprised at some of the experts remarks. That sounds a lot of money to me for such a recent watch.

[strafer_kid]

There certainly were aspects of the experts synopsis that did seem a bit inconsistent with much of the expert views and history one normally hears. Aside from the T on the dial and caseback, it seemed like an ordinary 5513? Also don't recall him mentioning fixed bars or bracelet?

[Old Expat Beast]

Full coverage next door in the Vintage section. https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=385869