Rolex Military Pulsation Daytona Submariner 5517

Researched and Written by KKC 17th December 2021

Colour Coding.

Updated 14th June 2022 (in Red)

Missing Picture, if anyone has access to the picture, I would really appreciate if it could be provided. Thank you. (in Blue)

Serial numbers unavalable but information being researched. If anyone has access to the serial numbers and more information, I would really appreciate if it could be provided. Thank you. (in Green)

As of 11th March 2022

Total 26 Rolex Military Submariners Ref 5517 listed
9 have Hudson Letters
12 are Full Spec.

This is an ambitious project and it may never be complete but its a start. Please feel free to add or comment by sending an email. Serial numbers will be in chronological order, provenance and pictures will be added where available.

With the prospects of finding a fresh to the market Rolex Military Submariner Ref 5517 diminishing serverly the new trend for dealers seems to be to buy Non Full Spec Military Submariners for their parts and put together a Full Spec.

If done correctly and with full disclosure, then I see nothing wrong with this practise. I would rather have one perfect Full Spec than 2 Non Full Spec.

The 1st million dollar Rolex Military Submariner ref 5517 is on the horizon or maybe even closer.

The project will be continuously update as more information is received or discovered.

Ref 5517 Serial 5212908 Issue 375/75 Code 0552 issued 1977. Case back numbers do not match. Also 5513 dial and civilian insert. Auction 27th June 2009 Antiquorum Lot 369 Unsold. Total mismatch.

Ref 5517 Serial 5212918 Issue 783/77 Code W10. Hudson letter dated 17th October 2008 confirming that the watch was supplied to the British Army. Full Spec.

Ref 5517 Serial 5212920 Issue 771/77 Code W10. Civilian insert. Auction12th May 2008 Christies Lot 340 Sold 91k CHF. Hudson letter dated 17th October 2008 confirming that the watch was supplied to the British Army.

Ref 5517 Serial 5212927 Issue 753/77 Code W10. Withdrawn Auction 9th Oct 2020 Sothebys Lot 2140. Full Spec.

Ref 5517 Serial 5215931 Issue 747/77 Code W10. Reference 100 Superlative watches by John Goldberger. Full Spec.

Ref 5517 Serial 5212934

Ref 5517 Serial 5212935 Issue 756/77 Code W10. Civilian seconds hand. Rolex UK service guarantee dated 7th May 2004. Auction 16th Dec 2015 Lot 129 Sold £120k. The watch has been upgraded and a correct military seconds hand has been installed and now looks spectacular. Congratulations to the new owner. Full Spec.

Ref 5517 Serial 5339610 Issue 918/79 Code W10. Hudson Letter confirming delivery to British Army at Castle Donnington 1979. Auction 12th Dec 2020 Phillips Lot 19 Sold $567k. Full Spec.

Ref 5517 Serial 5339644 Issue 917/79 Code W10. Reference 100 Superlative watches by John Goldberger. Full Spec.

Ref 5517 Serial 5339688 Issue 841/78 Code 0552. Hudson letter dated 22nd October 2010 confirms that this watch was supplied to HM's Dockyards Portsmouth in June 1978. Also comes with a service guarantee dated 16th March 2012. Full Spec.

Ref 5517 Serial 5339694 Issue 877/78.

Ref 5517 Serial 5339730 Issue 847/78. Hudson letter dated 17th July 2001 and fax from Rolex Geneva dated 4th Nov 2003 confirms that the watch was delivered to the British army on 1978.

Ref 5517 Serial 5339774 Issue 981/79. Hudson letter dated 4th Jan 2008 confirms that this watch was supplied to the British Army on Sept of 1979 with an issue number of 981/79. Full Spec.

Ref 5517 Serial 5339782 Issue 865/78. The watch comes with a letter from Rolex London confirming the watch was issued to the British Royal Navy in 1978. It also comes with a Rolex Service guarantee. Full Spec.

Ref 5517 Serial 5339798 Issue 710/78 Code 0552. Mercedes hands. Auction 14th May 2006 Antiquorum Lot 600 Sold 31k CHF.

Ref 5517 Serial 5339807 Issue 876/78 Code 0552. Civilian insert. Auction 14th May 2006 Antiquorum Lot 31 Sold 61k CHF.

Ref 5517 Serial 5339807 Isssue 876/78 Code 0552. Civilian insert. Auction 8th Dec 2010 Antiqurum Lot 199 Sold $52.5k lot 199. This watch was previously sold as Lot 31 on May 14, 2006, in Antiquorum's 'The Mondani Collection of Rolex Wristwatches' auction. This is really a strage one, also sold by James M Dowling circa 2000, and Rolex described the watch as of Uncertain Origins. Any further information would be useful.

Ref 5517 Serial 5339820 (doubts about the case back engravings). Maxi dial, mercedes hands. Hudson letter. Auction 8th Oct 2019 Sothebys Lot 2285 Sold £62k.

Ref 5517 Serial 5339827 Issue 842/78 Code 0552. With Hudson confirmation letter that the watch was issued 1978. Auction 7th Nov 2021 Phillips Lot 152 Sold 504k CHF. Full Spec.

Ref 5517 Serial 5339864. Code W10. Maxi dial. Auction 13th Nov 2018 Sothebys Lot 238 Sold 218k CHF. Full Spec.

Ref 5517 Serial 5339903 Issue 877/78 (should be case back 875/78). Hudson letter dated 25th October 2007 confirming that it should have military issue number 875/78 and the 877/78 cross matches with serial 5339694 and therefore at some stage in the past the two case backs must have become mixed up. Both serial numbers 5339694 and 5339903 were supplied to HM’s Dockyard Portsmouth.

Ref 5517 Serial 5339925 Issue 878/78. Hudson letter confirms this watch was supplied to Royal Navy HM's Portsmouth Dockyard on 30th June 1978. Full Spec.