Fresh from serving as launchpad for the inaugural London Watch Week on 17th June, Bonhams’ palatial Bond Street premises is hosting its latest London Fine Watches sale on the 19th. Among the 75 curated lots, three vintage Rolex watches with ties to British military history are expected to draw significant attention.
Rare 1975 Rolex ‘MilSub’ Leads the Sale
Topping the lineup is a Rolex Submariner “MilSub” (Reference 5513, circa 1975), a rare diver’s watch issued to the Royal Navy in the early 1970s. Built in stainless steel and designed for 200-metre depths, this model features fixed strap bars, a NATO fabric strap, and a tritium-lumed dial marked with an encircled “T”.
Its original owner, Royal Navy bomb clearance diver Russell Paxman, made minor modifications by drilling the fixed bars to fit a bracelet—before welding them back. Experts believe this will not impact its estimated value, which is set between £80,000 and £120,000.
Included with the watch are Paxman’s Royal Navy diving logs from the 1980s and newspaper articles about his missions, adding historical value.
1948 Rolex ‘Oyster Speedking’ With Naval Ties
Another highlight is a 1948 Rolex Oyster Speedking, one of only 136 watches ever certified with a ‘Kew A Certificate’—a mark of precision from the Kew Observatory. These certifications proved that Rolex could mass-produce wristwatches capable of meeting chronometer standards, previously reserved for ship instruments.
This specific piece was presented to Sir Frederick Brundrett, Chief of the Royal Naval Scientific Service from 1947 to 1950. An engraving on the clasp commemorates the gift from his colleagues, dated June 30, 1950. Brundrett later became Chief Scientific Adviser to the Ministry of Defence and received multiple knighthoods for his service.
Jonathan Darracott, Bonhams’ Global Head of Watches, emphasized the rarity of the Speedking, noting that this one was “No.1” in the certified batch and passed the Kew test on its first attempt. Despite its history, the estimated price remains accessible, between £10,000 and £15,000.
Rolex Day-Date Gifted by Sultan of Oman
A third significant piece is a Rolex Day-Date (Reference 18039, circa 1983) in 18K white gold, distinguished by its unique Khanjar dial. The dial bears the national emblem of Oman—a khanjar dagger over crossed swords.
This watch was presented by Sultan Qaboos bin Said Al Said of Oman to Lieutenant General Sir Michael Stuart Gray in 1986. Gray, who held multiple British honours including KCB and OBE, received the watch during a period of diplomatic and military cooperation between the UK and Oman.
Additional Highlights on Display During London Watch Week
Other notable watches in the sale include a Rolex “Leopard” Daytona and a COMEX Sea-Dweller, which will also be on display during London Watch Week’s opening day on June 17.
“London Watch Week is a new event that confirms the city’s place as a major player in the global watch world,” said Darracott. “We are excited to share our expertise and showcase these historic timepieces to collectors and enthusiasts alike.”
