Rolex, Oyster Perpetual Submariner, 100m = 330ft, steel model, tropic dial, no bezel or bracelet, moisture contamination, not running, circa 1959, case number 399402 (note the case number of lot 212 is 399410).

History. This is one of two submariner wristwatches (lots 212 and 213) given to Stanley Sayer by Rolex and has been in the family since. Stanley Sayer was a film cameraman working for Technicolour, he set up a special effects company, and also worked on several film sets including Superman and Star Wars. He was a keen diver and inventor of the minisub. The minisub enabled divers to move underwater effortlessly, steer a course and to light their way ahead. Although he himself did not patent the design, it attracted widespread interest.

Around 1959 Rolex were interested in using Stanley and his machine in their advertising portfolio and took a number of photos with him in action wearing one of their watches for publication. In payment for his services, he was invited to keep the watch that he wore in the press shoot (lot 212) and also given a second Submariner (lot 213), which he then gave to his son in 1961.

He wore the watch daily until he passed in April 2000. The watches have been consigned by his son.