Footnotes

• This particular watch has had a fascinating history and has been on many dives throughout its 30 year active service, the current owner started diving for the Royal Navy in 1968 and has dived off ships such as the H.M.S Zulu, H.M.S Tiger, H.M.S Cardiff, H.M.S Excellent and one in particular H.M.S Cardiff whilst in action during the Falklands War. The divers log book charts the long journey from Gibraltar to the Falklands, with stops and dives at the Ascension Islands. One entry dated 18/5/82 reads “ Ascension Island, Ship at anchor, Hull check and attempt to plug split fuel tank, dangerous conditions 20 knot winds, swell causing ship to move up and down, fast exit on the 2nd dive due to sharks" H.M.S Cardiff arrived in Port Stanley Harbour, Falkland Island in June 1982 and on the 18/6/82 the log entry reads “Port Stanley Harbour-Falkland Islands, hull inspection of Captured Argentinian Patrol Craft- H.M.S Tiger Bay” (the Argentinian boat was re-named H.M.S Tiger Bay by the Captain of the H.M.S Cardiff) see illustration.
  
  The British Royal Navy ordered from Rolex a series of watches for use by their specialist divers. These watches have fixed bar lugs and the hands are of sword shape so they are more legible under low light conditions, the dials are also marked with the “Circle T” which is the international symbol for Tritium. The case backs are engraved on the interior with the serial number and also on the outside case back with the Ministry of Defence issue number.
  There are 3 series of the Royal Navy Military Submariner:
  
  1.Standard Ref: 5513
  
  2.Double Ref: 5513/5517 (5513 on case and back: 5517 on a lug)
  
  3.Unique Ref: 5517
  
  This watch is furthermore sold with a letter from Mr Henry Hudson of Rolex, confirming this actual watch was supplied to the Chronometer Section of the Hydrographical Department, Ministry of Defence, Herstmonceux Castle, Sussex on the 20th of November 1975 and was onwardly destined for H.M.Dockyard Portsmouth.