An Overview of the Rolex ‘MilSub’ Submariner ref. 5517
Rolex ‘MilSub’ Submariner ref. 5517 / Credit: Rolex Passion Market
Ah the MilSub, the type of watch that seems totally out of reach. Not only for the price and prestige but even purely for its rarity. Of all the Submariners; the Double Red, the 6538, the No Date, and any other MilSub, my favourite is the 5517. Why?
Well for me, from a design point of view, watches are all about symmetry – especially as it pertains to the dial. More specifically, from the point of view of Submariners, the Rolex MilSub feels like an embodiment of the ultimate dive watch. Submariners are not only dive watches but known for their military provenance – made for the British Ministry of Defence in the early 1970s. And of all the Submariners, the MilSub is the obvious choice in that category. In addition, what is generally sought after in Submariners is the no date dial, most certainly in my case as one whose OCD insists upon symmetrical and matching dials across all the watches in my collection. From a symmetrical or design point of view, not only is the no date essential for me but also the sword hands and Tritium symbol that give it a look distinct from any other Submariner. Moreover, dive watches are meant to be real tool watches, water resistant and up for any challenge you can imagine. Submariners deliver on this, the Rolex MilSub moreso for one feature: the iconic NATO strap.
That’s what distinguished MilSubs from Submariners, but among the MilSubs, what is it that leads me to pick the 5517 above the 5513 and 5513/5517? It’s simple, the Rolex MilSub ref. 5517 is the only one to have been made exclusively for military use. That unique reference number and backstory being the sole distinction that takes it home for me. Yes, there’s other exceptionally rare Rolexes, and rare vintage watches for that matter, but if I had a choice, I can tell you I’d pick the 5517 over 99% of them. The leftover 1% is the only Submariner rarer than the 5517…