The Rolex Submariner Militarized was made with a camouflaged edition and given to the online auction house Antiquorum to celebrate the Submariner 60th Anniversary. The Rolex Reference 114060 Militarized Mimetic DLC Camo Edition states “Militarized” on the dial wording right under the Oyster Perpetual.
Antiquorum, is the World’s Premier Auctioneers of Modern and Vintage Timepieces, and has the reputation and the industry knowledge of an internationally recognized staff of watch experts.
Established in Geneva in 1974, Antiquorum has carved a niche in the auction world by cultivating a thriving collector’s market for timepieces worldwide and consistently obtains the highest prices for timepieces, auctions timepieces with exceptional provenance and rarity and has set many world records. Antiquorum was the first auction house to offer full online service.
Antiquorum holds approximately ten auctions a year, in Geneva, Monaco, and Hong Kong, with previews held in major cities worldwide. In addition to its auction centers in Geneva, Monaco, and Hong Kong, Antiquorum maintains offices and agents in Paris, Milan, Munich, Shanghai, Singapore and Thailand.
Rolex Submariner Militarized
Although there was only 1 piece made specifically for Antiquorum under lot 162 and sold by Important Modern & Vintage Timepieces Geneva, on May 12, 2013, the Antiquorum site appears to have 2 newer lots available with a similar design. The lot pictured at the top of this article has the camouflaged case but has a rubberized band which is black. The unique model made for Antiquorum has the case No.G706233, Ref. 114060, where as the case for the other two lots has case No. 6Z1R0411. Lot 162 was sold in 2012 for 13,750 CHF. The other two lots, including lots 126 and 366 were listed and sold in May and July of 2016. However no price was given for each of these. Suggested price range of 6900 to 9100 USD would actually be a bargain in today’s Rolex marketplace even as a used timepiece.
This model was made from a three-body, brushed mimetic, screwed-down case back and crown, graduated unidirectional ceramic bezel. Like all Submariners, it has a sapphire crystal. The dial of lot 162 is black with luminous grey round, triangular and baton steel indexes. It differs from the other two camo watches, because those hour markers are beige rather than dark grey. This is probably the most unique feature of this timepiece since these grey hour markers are so unique and can’t be found on typical Submariner timepieces. It also has outer minutes divisions which are notated just inside the bezel on the outer part of the dial.
The luminous steel skeleton hands probably give off the same blue glow found on other Submariners, but no indication is given on the site whether this is true or not. It is powered by a Rolex designed caliber 3130. The movement is rhodium-plated, with 31 jewels, straight-line lever escapement, monometallic balance adjusted to temperatures and 5 positions.
The built in shock absorber, self-compensating free-sprung Breguet balance spring, Microstella regulating screws provides it exceptional resilience no matter if it is being used in the office or outside in military grade exercises. Noting this unique design, all three – the dial, case and movement are signed. The case has a 40 mm width and a 13 mm thickness. It is certified to a waterproofness depth of 1000 feet. The unique one of a kind Rolex Submariner Militarized edition is accompanied by a green militarized “DLC CAMO 60th Anniversary” Army box, original warranty card, Militarized card and hang tag.
Rolex has been approached by the British Ministry of Defense in the late 1960’s to provide watches for its military division. The Submariner not only made a great watch for Sean Connery in the James Bond series, but had all the luminescence, ruggedness and waterproofness that a military soldier would need. However, the Ministry asked for several enhancements on the Rolex Submariner.
First it required a fixed bar for the strap. This required a nylon strap rather than a metal one. The bezel needed to be larger and made with better nodules that could be gripped when soldiers were wearing rubber gloves. Since radium luminescence was known to be unsafe due to its radioactive elements, the dials needed to be lumed with Tritium instead. Lastly, the bezel needed to be made of a copper alloy which was stronger than the bezel material used at that time.
The black rubberized band looks exceptional on this DLC Camouflaged Submariner from Rolex. Rubber B would recommend either a black or green band to match the black or green camo on the case itself. Alternatively there are several other band options including this green and black combination band which has an appearance of a leather alligator skin but is actually 100% rubber. Visit our page here for more information for all of our bracelet options that support the 40mm Submariner case.
