Vintage ROLEX Military Submariner 5517 Mid CASE - FOR REAL?

[BASSETHOUNDS]

Originally Posted by FIB112358

I also inquired about the serial number with the seller. It is not the serial number that you have stated above. I think you are missing a number anyway, as it is a 5mil case, not .5mill. Either way the last 4 digits on the mid case are not the same as the above serial. The quality on this case far out shines any of the fakes that I have seen posted here for discussion. I still believe it to be genuine example. If the fakes are this good now, lord help us when looking for spare case parts

You were lucky to get a reply , I also suspect the seller to monitor this thread .

[springer]

I viewed this auction today and couldn't see anything indicating the case is counterfeit. In fact, all looked to be in order - but this is based on my observations of the photographs.

I was curious so I called the telephone number in the auction and talked with Dimitri. The case originated in Sweden from one of their customers, who deals in vintage watches in Europe. Apparently they have done plenty of business, both buying and selling, with this Swedish customer in the past.

In my conversation with Dimitri, he appeared straight forward with answers to my questions regarding this case, and in general conversation concerning vintage Rolexes. The 5517 case was sold to someone in Australia. The serial number is 5339662.

[Safetrends]

Originally Posted by springer

I viewed this auction today and couldn't see anything indicating the case is counterfeit. In fact, all looked to be in order - but this is based on my observations of the photographs.

I was curious so I called the telephone number in the auction and talked with Dimitri. The case originated in Sweden from one of their customers, who deals in vintage watches in Europe. Apparently they have done plenty of business, both buying and selling, with this Swedish customer in the past.

In my conversation with Dimitri, he appeared straight forward with answers to my questions regarding this case, and in general conversation concerning vintage Rolexes. The 5517 case was sold to someone in Australia. The serial number is 5339662.

As I suspected, the case is genuine and is probably found in some old Rolex dealers stock that has been in a box somewhere. I would be interested in what it will look like when it is put together.

[pr0digy30]

Springer... thanks for ending the mystery. Should be interesting to see if this Sub "resurfaces" with all the trimmings at a later date.

[tudorman8276]

[Orchi]

Err buddies...Orchi finds it very odd that a loose Rolex issued "military" midcase(without caseback/bezel/sword hands/full 60 minute index bezel/movement)...
perhaps been restored n looking almost in brand new condition...
found its way in eBay auction...listed by a reputable Seller...

Rolex 5517 "Military" Sub watches were believed to have been issued by Rolex most likely in small batches...(in batches of running case series nos.)
fully assembled n supplied to UK Royal Navy...

The 5517 is mostly known to have the sword hands n full 60 minutes index bezel...

These watches(mostly double reference with 5513) were additionally engraved inside the caseback(by Rolex)...
n perhaps engraved on outside of caseback by the Navy...
n assigned to certain team members of UK Royal Navy Divers...

It would be more interesting to find out its history...
n how it ended up losing the other equally important parts...

Orchi once read that in early years(in 80s n 90s) before these Rolex "Military" 5513/5517 Sub watches became popular n highly collectible...
a Japanese watch trader brought quite a few of these "Military" watches back to Japan...
to be converted n sold as the regular 5513 Sub watches...

[STEELINOX]

Originally Posted by Orchi

Err buddies...Orchi finds it very odd that a loose Rolex issued "military" midcase(without caseback/bezel/sword hands/full 60 minute index bezel/movement)...
perhaps been restored n looking almost in brand new condition...
found its way in eBay auction...listed by a reputable Seller...

Rolex 5517 "Military" Sub watches were believed to have been issued by Rolex most likely in small batches...(in batches of running case series nos.)
fully assembled n supplied to UK Royal Navy...

The 5517 is mostly known to have the sword hands n full 60 minutes index bezel...

These watches(mostly double reference with 5513) were additionally engraved inside the caseback(by Rolex)...
n perhaps engraved on outside of caseback by the Navy...
n assigned to certain team members of UK Royal Navy Divers...

It would be more interesting to find out its history...
n how it ended up losing the other equally important parts...

Orchi once read that in early years(in 80s n 90s) before these Rolex "Military" 5513/5517 Sub watches became popular n highly collectible...
a Japanese watch trader brought quite a few of these "Military" watches back to Japan...
to be converted n sold as the regular 5513 Sub watches...

I still sense the presence of a rat !

[jedly1]

its fine. i've tracked this watches progress over the last couple years and know who had it in sweden and that it wa sput through bexley for service.. and it is known, case is fine, serial number is part of one of the pure 5517 batches.

there were approx imately 150-200 5517, 150-200 double reference (5513 between lugs, 5517 on back of one lug) - and probably 700 ish 5513 mislubs
so even stripped its a rare and interesting beasty.

http://www.network54.com/Forum/20759...+who+bought+it.

[pr0digy30]

Me too. How I long for the days of the old Ebay where you could talk to the buyer and see how they get made out.

[BASSETHOUNDS]

Mant thanks to buddy Orchi and buddy Springer to have cleared this up . The 150/200 batch seems to add up as well when we take in account the 5339771 I knew of .
I also received a mail from a prominent vintage watch dealer that also was confident that this case was indeed genuine . A bit thank you to him as well

[BASSETHOUNDS]

double post ?

[mcjp6]

Originally Posted by springer

The 5517 case was sold to someone in Australia. The serial number is 5339662.

Well if it ever went to Australia, five months hence and its now back in Denver, CO, and listed for sale again by the same seller. Same serial number.

More to speculate on........

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...ht_8403wt_1104

[jedly1]

somebody here ( both in the sense as a a trf'er and an aussie) was the wining bidder at one point .. but i believe after a lot of uniformed negative forum coverage was put off the idea and backed out, which is a bizarre notion AFTER you've bid on it but anyway... then it was re-auctioned and i'm guessing was ' shepherded' by the seller and didnt actually sell.

-

it is still real, it is still mint because bexley serviced it and i am sure it will still cause lots of discussion........ but it is also still a virtually impossible road back for it :(