Found Rolex Submariner

[dc.gronlund]

Forgot to post this when it happened a couple weeks ago....
I've already restored it, minus the dial. It can be seen on my you tube channel "ddaavvee".

If we can find the owner, I'll give it back. Just need to prove it's theirs, which is easy since there is something engraved on the back. We've just been super unlucky locating her/him.

First time metal detecting in months and I ticked off a bucket list find, in spectacular fashion. A 1971 Rolex Submariner Ref: 5513. The only damage is the crystal, bezel insert, and the dial, otherwise it started running in my pocket, crown unscrews and sets and winds, and there seems.

Found in the pacific with a the Minelab Manticore, rang up a perfect 47. Settings are beach low conductors, 0gb, noise cancel -9, recovery 3, sensitivity 27, all metal, ferrous volume 2, prospect tone, upper ferrous limit 3, lower ferrous limit 1. Found at a super low tide very wet sand about 30-40 yard off the dry area. It was about 8 -10 inches down under the nice sand in the mucky, stinky, black layer.

Also found a Tiffany ring and a few square whole Japanese coins.

 

[Blackfoot58]

That is a classy, classic timepiece. Congrats 👍🏼

 

[Terry Soloman]

SWEET!

 

[potsherd_creek]

That Submariner certainly lived up to its name. Great find

 

[IDAu]

Holy cow. I don’t know if they did it back then, but Rolex may have a record of the customer if you can get the SN to an AD.

I’d be hanging onto it if it were me. But good on you for being willing to give it back.

 

[Chilli]

They should use that in an add for how tough they are.

 

[E-Trac-Ohio]

A fantastic find - congrats !

 

[dc.gronlund]

That is a classy, classic timepiece. Congrats 👍🏼

Thanks, it was way more than I had hoped to find.

 

[dc.gronlund]

That Submariner certainly lived up to its name. Great find

Agreed, I planned to put it on the shelf of cool finds, but when I got back to my room and saw it ticking away, my mind was blown.

 

[dc.gronlund]

Holy cow. I don’t know if they did it back then, but Rolex may have a record of the customer if you can get the SN to an AD.

I’d be hanging onto it if it were me. But good on you for being willing to give it back.

I return as much as I can. I've actually returned quite a bit in my time. The sn is damaged in the middle 2 numbers. We are guessing what the number is. Buuuut, that's way more complicated than just reading the caseback, haha

 

[dc.gronlund]

They should use that in an add for how tough they are.

Haha, that would be too cool. Not only did it survive, there was zero damage to the case. Not rust whatsoever. The only corrosion was the aluminum bezel insert. So they probably use a superior stainless too, surgical 316 or other.

 

[E-Trac-Ohio]

Years ago I bought and sold some Rolex Watches - had 4 or 5 Submariner's.
They are a beautiful Watch but they are famous for keeping terrible time.
I took a few of mine to a local dealer and told him mine were loosing two or three minutes a week.
He told me that I had a couple of "good ones" because many of them loose or gain more time than that !

 

[Timbermaster]

I wonder how long it’s been lost at sea. Great find! Hope there is a follow up!

 

[dc.gronlund]

I wonder how long it’s been lost at sea. Great find! Hope there is a follow up!

I wouldn't be able to say for sure. The last service mark i could read was 1983. The aluminum was completely rotted away, however long that would take plus how long it takes to build up that crud. If we find the guy i'll let everyone know.

 

[dc.gronlund]

Years ago I bought and sold some Rolex Watches - had 4 or 5 Submariner's.
They are a beautiful Watch but they are famous for keeping terrible time.
I took a few of mine to a local dealer and told him mine were loosing two or three minutes a week.
He told me that I had a couple of "good ones" because many of them loose or gain more time than that !

I've never heard that before. I hope they've improved over the years. Mine currently doesn't loose a noticeable amount of time. I usually regulate it as close to zero as possible...

 

[dc.gronlund]

I wonder how long it’s been lost at sea. Great find! Hope there is a follow up!

I actually wear it a lot these days...

 

[tamrock]

Great treasure find story.

 

[ben ohio]

I believe a lot of those were bought at main px in VietNam 69-72 H TROOP 17TH CAV 198TH INF

 

[Marino13]

Years ago I bought and sold some Rolex Watches - had 4 or 5 Submariner's.
They are a beautiful Watch but they are famous for keeping terrible time.
I took a few of mine to a local dealer and told him mine were loosing two or three minutes a week.
He told me that I had a couple of "good ones" because many of them loose or gain more time than that !

Nonsense, they are chronometer rated and keep excellent time for a mechanical watch.

 

[Marino13]

Forgot to post this when it happened a couple weeks ago....
I've already restored it, minus the dial. It can be seen on my you tube channel "ddaavvee".

If we can find the owner, I'll give it back. Just need to prove it's theirs, which is easy since there is something engraved on the back. We've just been super unlucky locating her/him.

First time metal detecting in months and I ticked off a bucket list find, in spectacular fashion. A 1971 Rolex Submariner Ref: 5513. The only damage is the crystal, bezel insert, and the dial, otherwise it started running in my pocket, crown unscrews and sets and winds, and there seems.

Found in the pacific with a the Minelab Manticore, rang up a perfect 47. Settings are beach low conductors, 0gb, noise cancel -9, recovery 3, sensitivity 27, all metal, ferrous volume 2, prospect tone, upper ferrous limit 3, lower ferrous limit 1. Found at a super low tide very wet sand about 30-40 yard off the dry area. It was about 8 -10 inches down under the nice sand in the mucky, stinky, black layer.

Also found a Tiffany ring and a few square whole Japanese coins.

View attachment 2207082

Awesome find and a great testament to the quality.