Gilt and silver double-SWISS and underline PCG

[Haywood_Milton]

This landed on my desk today, a 5513 with case number under a million, III.63 case back and 1530 calibre. London service marks from 1971. It may have a new bezel and bracelet, but the gilt and silver double-SWISS dial with underline, PCG and crown all tickled me !





Quite the understated little thing on the wrist!

Haywood M

[dysondiver]

i think its fantastic looking.

[droptopman]

Beautiful and rare piece. Dial and hands look to be in outstanding condition. Case too. Primo example. A nice day font and a rivet would really make her sing.

[rootbeer7]

what an incredible piece Haywood. Is there a great story?

[Haywood_Milton]

Originally Posted by rootbeer7

what an incredible piece Haywood. Is there a great story?

The story was breaking just as you asked, as it happens! More info has just come from the seller, a relative of the first owner. The watch was supplied to one of the 1960s UK Challengers for the Americas Cup, a man I have found documented in various resources. Lovely provenance!

http://www.britishpathe.com/video/so...y/americas+cup

H

[traf]

Gorgeous piece, congrats! 👏🏻👏🏻


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[watchcrank]

Double Swiss, Underline, Gilt....what more could you want :-) Very cool.

[jamestemroot]

Congratulations! What an great find.

[fmc000]

Amazing as usual. Thanks Haywood.

[southtexas]

What's the purpose of the double Swiss markings?


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[subx]

amazing piece

[subx]

Originally Posted by southtexas

What's the purpose of the double Swiss markings?


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to this day nobody knows a definite answer, but a double swiss on a gilt sub is a true rarity.

[tudorluv]

beautiful

[Haywood_Milton]

It was an overcast evening here in England, but look how the silver SWISS text stands out :





Rather liking this one !

Haywood

[lee fowler]

The same Silver Swiss but on a GMT Underline Dial.

[rootbeer7]

what are you going to do with that old thing Haywood?!!

[themaninblack]

Originally Posted by Haywood_Milton

It was an overcast evening here in England, but look how the silver SWISS text ...

Haywood

Really, an overcast day in England! Now we know the purpose of the big silver SWISS. English market dial variation for legibility.

[Haywood_Milton]

Indeed, Lee, and there are other similarities between my 5513 and that delightful GMT..

As for the SWISS text, it is quite crude in style and orientation, with something of a funky "W" ; Rolex and dial makers might curse the age of the macro lens, but imperfection and anomaly provide much that is useful or interesting for us.

I do not have a gilt GMT-Master. My task is endless, but that one would sate my thirst for a while.

Haywood

[Haywood_Milton]

Originally Posted by rootbeer7

what are you going to do with that old thing Haywood?!!

I will think about that over the next ten years or so, God-willing. Didn't feel comfortable posting this at first, but there is perhaps a little more again to the story:

The original owner's relative stated that he'd been told the 1964 Americas Cup protagonists were "issued" with these watches. This is an emotive term for Rolex collectors and as it cannot yet be established I chose not to include it in my earlier account. It is, though, an exciting and credible possibility. The 5512 (1959) and 5513 (1962) were significant new models in the professional line and one can well imagine that Rolex would associate themselves with the most significant and highest profile participants in a relevant field. There was no dandy Yachtmaster available then, of course!

I will try to find support for this story (revealed after our deal had been struck), but in the meantime it makes the piece all the more intriguing for me.

Haywood

[themaninblack]

Originally Posted by Haywood_Milton

The original owner's relative stated that he'd been told the 1964 Americas Cup protagonists were "issued" with these watches. This is an emotive term for Rolex collectors and as it cannot yet be established I chose not to include it in my earlier account. It is, though, an exciting and credible possibility. The 5512 (1959) and 5513 (1962) were significant new models in the professional line and one can well imagine that Rolex would associate themselves with the most significant and highest profile participants in a relevant field.

Haywood

Carefully chosen words after all poor old Sovereign was seen off 4-0 by Constellation. It of course took Australian talent and ingenuity to finally wrest that Auld Mug from the Americans. Don't think anyone issued the crew free Rolex watches to wear though!

[Haywood_Milton]

Oi! Stop trying to bring antipodean antipathy into this. You sent us Rolf Harris, thirty years of rubbish telly and taught our children to raise their inflexion at the end of every sentence as if each statement were a question. Enough!

[thomaspp]

Gorgeous.

[rootbeer7]

Originally Posted by Haywood_Milton

Oi! Stop trying to bring antipodean antipathy into this. You sent us Rolf Harris, thirty years of rubbish telly and taught our children to raise their inflexion at the end of every sentence as if each statement were a question. Enough!

First giggle of the day

[themaninblack]

Originally Posted by rootbeer7

First giggle of the day

Has me thinking of a particularly funny old episode of The Goodies.

[Nobody.Move]

Great find, intriguing story and very funny repartee...what more could you want in a thread?

[crowncollection]

Nice piece indeed congrats, wear it in good health


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[scooba]

Lovely early example , Thank you for sharing and taking the time to post the watch and details .

[yannis]

Some classics in this thread! i like the Sub!!

[Haywood_Milton]

A couple of close-ups in case they help someone looking at a similar watch in the future. I would have been glad of these!





Thanks for all the comments,

Haywood

[Dr.Smellody]

Beautiful and amazing. Just incredible.