Watch Info · Military Submariner · Royal Navy · 1970s
The Military Submariner
Rolex Ref. 5513 & 5517 — Issued to the Royal Navy
On This Page
Overview
The Royal Navy Submariner
Many watch manufacturers have supplied timepieces to military services around the world, but the Rolex watches made specially for the Royal Navy in the 1970s have captivated collectors in a way that few other issued watches can match. The combination of a proven professional instrument with specific military modifications — and the documented history behind each batch — makes the Mil Sub one of the most sought-after references in the entire Rolex canon.
The general consensus is that approximately 1,200 watches were made. Unfortunately, many did not survive active service, and of those that remain, only several hundred are still in their original unmodified configuration.
Base Reference
5513 & 5517
Issued To
Royal Navy (MOD)
Era
1970s
Est. Production
~1,200 pieces
Survivors (Original Config.)
Several hundred
Dial
The Dial
The “T Swiss T” tritium marking — 6 o’clock position
The dial itself is a regular 5513 production dial, but the most distinctive modification is the large “T” in a circle positioned above the depth markings at the six o’clock position. This marking indicates the presence of tritium in the markers — a requirement of the Ministry of Defence specification for issued watches.
| Base Dial | Standard 5513 production dial |
| Key Modification | Large “T” in circle above depth markings at 6 o’clock |
| Significance of “T” | Indicates presence of tritium luminous material |
| Depth Markings | Present — standard 5513 format |
| Dial Variants | Small batch with larger markers and slightly different coronets confirmed |
Hands
The Sword Hands
The hands are among the most visually distinctive features of the Military Submariner and are the primary reason these watches are instantly recognisable on the wrist. They are commonly referred to as “sword” hands — a term that perfectly describes their elongated, tapered profile.
| Hand Style | “Sword” hands — elongated tapered profile |
| Comparison | Very similar in appearance to Omega Seamaster hands of the era |
| Authentication Note | Omega Seamaster hands are sometimes used as replacements. Seasoned collectors can identify them by differences in shape and length. |
| Rolex Availability | Rolex no longer produces sword hands. Factory stock is exhausted. |
| Condition Issue | Due to their larger surface area and tritium content, sword hands are prone to flaking or oxidation over time. |
Sword hands are not exclusive to the Mil Sub — Omega Seamaster hands are dimensionally close and have been used as replacements. A knowledgeable collector will detect the substitution from basic differences in shape and length. When in doubt, compare against a confirmed original.
Bezel & Insert
The Bezel Insert
The bezel itself is standard production, but the insert on many Military Submariners is a specially manufactured variant with minute markings running around the full circumference of the insert — a configuration unique to the Mil Sub within the 5513 family.
| Bezel | Standard 5513 production bezel |
| Insert — Military Spec | Full 60-minute markings around entire insert circumference |
| Insert — Alternate | Standard 15-minute bezel insert (also correct, depending on batch — see Configurations) |
| Uniqueness | Full 60-minute insert is unique to military specification within the 5513 range |
Case
The Case
The case is a standard 5513 production case with one critical modification that immediately identifies it as a military-issue piece: the spring bars are replaced with fixed metal bars designed to accept a NATO strap. This was a functional military requirement — NATO straps were standard issue and the fixed bars ensured the watch remained on the wrist even if the strap was compromised.
| Case Reference | Standard 5513 |
| Key Modification | Fixed metal bars in place of spring bars |
| Purpose | To accept and secure a NATO strap per MOD specification |
Caseback
The Caseback — MOD Markings
Caseback — MOD part number and issue markings
The caseback is the single most important authentication feature of the Military Submariner. Every genuine example carries an MOD (Ministry of Defence) part number and a set of standardised military markings. These markings follow a consistent format but vary meaningfully between delivery batches — making cross-reference with other watches from the same batch essential for authentication.
| MOD Part Number | Begins with 0552 or W10 |
| Military Mark | Broad arrow / triangle with “hat” symbol above |
| Below Mark | Issue number and year of issue |
| Batch Variation | Caseback numbers differ significantly by delivery batch — must be compared to confirmed examples from the same batch |
Caseback — MOD engraving detail (note the `-2` suffix in the source filename)
Important — Serial & Caseback Numbers
For reasons of protecting original owners and preventing fakers from exploiting specific batch data, detailed caseback information and serial number ranges are intentionally not published on this site. This is a deliberate and principled decision. Do not attempt to authenticate a Mil Sub based on numbers found on internet forums alone.
Configurations
Correct Configurations by Reference
Several configurations of the Military Submariner are considered correct and original, depending on the delivery batch and age. The variation between batches is significant — watches delivered at different times came with different components, all factory-correct for their batch. This is a critical point that even experienced collectors sometimes overlook.
| Reference | Hands | Bezel Insert | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5513 Mil Sub | Sword hands or Mercedes hands | Full 60-min or 15-min insert | Both hand types and both bezel inserts are correct from factory, depending on delivery batch |
| 5517 Mil Sub | Sword hands only | Full 60-min insert only | Made as a double-reference 5513/5517. Only sword hands and full 60-min bezel are correct for this reference — no exceptions |
5513 — Sword or Mercedes hands
5513 — Full 60-min or 15-min bezel
5517 — Sword hands only
5517 — Full 60-min bezel only
The 5517 was produced by Rolex as a double reference — designated 5513/5517. Configuration variations that are acceptable for the 5513 are not acceptable for the 5517. Cross-referencing with the delivery batch records remains the most reliable way to confirm correctness.
Authentication
Buying a Military Submariner — Know the Risks
These are expensive, deeply desirable watches, and as a consequence there are many convincing fakes in the market. The quality of counterfeit Military Submariners has improved significantly over the years, and amateur identification based on photos alone is not sufficient.
Collector Advisory
Do not purchase a Military Submariner without documentation from Rolex Geneva or Rolex UK, and/or significant provenance, and/or the direct assistance of someone with deep and demonstrable knowledge of Rolex military pieces. There is too much money at stake to be wrong. This recommendation will be disagreed with by some — but the risk of an expensive mistake on an unverified piece is real.
| Recommended Documentation | Rolex Geneva or Rolex UK service records / extraction letters |
| Provenance Value | High — original owner documentation, MOD issue records, chain of custody |
| Expert Assistance | Strongly recommended — seek someone with confirmed specialist knowledge of Mil Sub batches |
| Forum Opinions | Insufficient alone — do not rely on internet identification without hands-on expert review |
| Serial / Caseback Numbers | Not published on this site — intentional policy to protect owners and deter fakers |
Collector Notes
Why These Watches Matter
5513 Military Submariner — original configuration
The 5513 and 5517 Military Submariners are very special and highly desirable pieces. Like the COMEX watches — and particularly the 5514 — they represent instruments made by Rolex with a specific, demanding role in mind. They were tool watches first, used in active military service across war zones and operational theatres.
Some of these watches tell extraordinary stories about the heroism of their owners. Others carry more humble histories — worn through training, service, and daily military life. Both are equally worthy of preservation.
A correct Military Submariner is a piece of both Rolex history and Royal Navy history — an intersection that is unlikely ever to be repeated. For many collectors it is the centerpiece of an entire collection.