Rolex · Submariner

5517

Known in the trade as the MilSub.

Built to British Ministry of Defence specification for Royal Navy divers. The MoD wanted fixed spring bars that could not be knocked out, a fully graduated 60-minute bezel rather than a 15-minute one, and sword hands. Rolex made very few, the MoD destroyed many at end of service, and the survivors are among the most forged watches in existence.

Reference record

Production: 1971–1979
Model: Submariner MilSub
Case material: Stainless Steel
Case size: 40mm
Movement: Automatic
Calibre: Cal. 1520
Dial colours: Black

What the specification implies

MoD-issue examples carry military issue numbers engraved on the caseback, and the circled-T dial marking denotes tritium.
Fixed bar lugs and a fully graduated bezel are specification, not options — this is the single most-faked Rolex configuration, and provenance documentation matters more here than on any other reference.

Common questions

When was the Rolex 5517 produced?

The 5517 was produced from 1971 to 1979.

What movement does the Rolex 5517 use?

The Rolex 5517 runs the Cal. 1520, an automatic movement.

How do I check a Rolex 5517 with Watch Safe?

Look up the watch's serial number in the Watch Safe registry to see whether a record exists or a theft flag is attached. A registry search identifies records for a specific serial; it does not authenticate the watch. Authentication is performed in person by an independent expert authenticator, and Watch Safe records and publishes the result.

Other Submariner references

62041953 65361955 65381955 55081958 55121959 55131962 16801965 1680/81969 168001979 168081979 166101988 166131988 166181988 140601990 14060M2000 16610LV2003 116618LB2008 116619LB2008 116613LB2009 116610LN2010 116610LV2010 1140602012 126610LN2020 126610LV2020 126613LB2020 126618LB2020 1240602020 126619LB2020 6200 6205 6536/1 5510 5514 168000 116613LN 116618LN 126613LN 126618LN

Checking a specific Rolex? Look up its serial number in the registry.

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5517

Known in the trade as the MilSub.

Reference record

Production: 1971–1979
Model: Submariner MilSub
Case material: Stainless Steel
Case size: 40mm
Movement: Automatic
Calibre: Cal. 1520
Dial colours: Black

What the specification implies

MoD-issue examples carry military issue numbers engraved on the caseback, and the circled-T dial marking denotes tritium.
Fixed bar lugs and a fully graduated bezel are specification, not options — this is the single most-faked Rolex configuration, and provenance documentation matters more here than on any other reference.