Skip to content
The Encyclopedia of Horology

Wristwatch · Military diver's wristwatch

Rolex Military Submariner Ref: 5513

Partially verified

This military wristwatch is a Rolex Submariner reference 5513 dating to circa 1975, issued to the British Royal Navy under Ministry of Defence specifications. It features a 39mm stainless steel tonneau case with fixed bar lugs and a black calibrated rotating bezel insert. The matte black dial is marked with an encircled 'T', tritium-lumed dot, baton, and triangular markers, broad sword hands, and an arrow-tipped seconds hand. Power is provided by a 26-jewel automatic caliber 1520 movement. According to the source, the exterior case back is engraved with military issue code 0552/923-7697 377/75, and it is mounted on a grey fabric strap.

Rolex Military Submariner reference 5513 on a grey fabric strap
Rolex Military Submariner reference 5513 on a grey fabric strap — Bonhams. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.bonhams.com
Category
Wristwatch · Military diver's wristwatch
Maker / attribution
Rolex
Reference
5513
Catalogue / lot identifier
251
Source-reported date
Circa 1975
Country
Switzerland
Source-reported serial
3927195

Source-reported attribution and specifications are not independent authentication. A listing does not establish present ownership, current display, availability or permission to reproduce.

Object description

Military Specification and Case Construction

This wristwatch represents a military-adapted variant of the Rolex reference 5513, produced to British Ministry of Defence standards. The 39mm stainless steel case displays a tonneau form with brushed and polished surfaces, equipped with fixed lug bars intended for pass-through fabric straps. It features a black calibrated rotating bezel insert marked with individual minute graduations across the first fifteen minutes.

According to the auction catalog, the case interior bears the date code 'I.72' alongside an engraved serial number matching the exterior marking between the lugs ('No.3927195'). The exterior case back is recorded with military issue stamping '0552/923-7697 377/75', denoting Royal Navy issue in 1975.

Evidence for this section
  • “Brushed and polished tonneau form, screw down back, inside back date coded I.72 and engraved 3927195, outside back engraved 0552/923-7697 377/75, black calibrated bezel insert, fixed bar lugs, No.3927195 between the lugs”
  • “The military numbers on the back of this particular watch refer to it being issued in 1975.”

Dial and Hands Configuration

The black dial features white outer minute divisions, luminous dot hour markers, and baton indexes at the cardinal quarters. Prominently positioned below the center arbor is an encircled 'T' inscription, denoting the original application of tritium luminous material.

Time is indicated by broad polished sword hands with luminous inserts and a sweep center seconds hand terminating in an arrow tip. As observed directly on the piece, the luminous compound on both the hands and the hour plots demonstrates visible aging.

Evidence for this section
  • “Dial: Black, Tritium T, luminous dot hour markers, baton quarters, white outer minute divisions, broad polished sword hands with luminous inserts, arrow tipped centre seconds”
  • “Broad sword hour and minute hands with aged luminous fill”

Movement and Unverified Catalog Details

The catalog records the internal power unit as an automatic 26-jewel Caliber 1520 movement, signed across the case, dial, and movement. The watch is mounted to a grey fabric strap secured by an associated plated buckle.

Because the case back has not been removed for independent visual inspection in this entry, all internal details—including the caliber designation, jewel count, inner case back date code of 'I.72', and exact condition of the movement—rely entirely on the seller's documentation rather than direct physical review.

Evidence for this section
  • “Movement: 26-jewel Cal.1520 automatic”
  • “Buckle/Clasp: Associated plated buckle”
  • “Signed: Case, dial & movement”

Open research questions

  • Does direct examination of the inner case back verify the reported 'I.72' date code and engraved serial number '3927195'?
  • Can direct physical inspection confirm the caliber 1520 stamping, jewel count, and signatures on the movement plates?
  • What is the exact metallurgical composition and origin of the associated plated buckle fitted to the fabric strap?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Rolex Military Submariner Ref: 5513
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
ModelMilitary Submariner“Model: Military Submariner”
Reference5513“Reference: 5513”
Movement26-jewel Cal. 1520 automatic“Movement: 26-jewel Cal.1520 automatic”
Case Engraving0552/923-7697 377/75“outside back engraved 0552/923-7697 377/75”
Case Size39mm“Size: 39mm”
StrapGrey fabric“Strap/Bracelet: Grey fabric”
Inner Case Back Date CodeI.72“inside back date coded I.72”
Case Serial Number3927195“No.3927195 between the lugs”
BuckleAssociated plated buckle“Buckle/Clasp: Associated plated buckle”

Visible details

  • Matte black dial marked with a coronet and an encircled 'T' indicating tritium
  • Broad sword hour and minute hands with aged luminous fill
  • Calibrated black rotating bezel insert with minute graduations for the first fifteen minutes
  • Grey fabric pass-through strap fitted via fixed lug bars

Research qualifications

  • Internal movement, case interior date code, and external case back engravings are source-reported and not visible in the primary image
  • Associated buckle is noted as plated

Photograph identity and source facts were screened before import; rights clearance remains pending.

Consulted source

Bonhams : Rolex. A rare military stainless steel automatic wristwatch issued to the Royal Navy Military Submariner, Ref: 5513, Circa 1975

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record eb7771b1c4

Terms in this record

Glossary explanations for terms named in this object’s record.

Other military diver's wristwatch records