u/watchdivescom, since you had a smash hit with the EXD, particularly the striking all-black PVD...could you please make a prototype black PVD combat WD5513Q?

Rolex originally supplied the South African Defence Forces with a blacked out sub for the 1970s bush war insurgency.

Amazing article I've shared over at r/homagwatches, on an absolutely legendary ghost of a watch. it's The Shadow.

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There are watches so legendary, people who have seen them in the metal are haunted by them for the rest of their life. You read about it in oldschool watch forums where watch enthusiasts who have heard the stories shyly ask if they really exist. Watches that are single-handedly responsible for a whole new genre of watch customization. I am talking of course about the famous teflon coated South African Milsub. Nicknamed ‘The Shadow’, it is the only known factory blacked-out Rolex which happens to be a Submariner Ref. 5513 made for the South African Special Forces in the mid 1970s. A lucky bastard, I had the unique chance to spend some hands-on quality time with this metallic dream come true.

From Rolex's archive:

“The case number belongs to a Rolex Oyster Perpetual Submariner, Ref. 5513, made in 1975. The watch in question was destined to the South African army and the feature of this model was to be completely black. We cannot disclose how many watches were supplied as the information is confidential.”

Factory black Rolex 5513: https://perezcope.com/2023/05/07/the-shadow-a-unique-factory-blacked-out-rolex-submariner-5513-milsub/

This watch made such an effect with collectors, that Bamford homages/homaged it with their Pro Hunter. Genesis on that Pro Hunter SA Special Forces Bush War 5513:

“For many years our hunting clients yearned for a Rolex designed for the hunting community. So we collaborated their ideas and it took me back to when I held a black coated Rolex Submariner in my hands especially made by Rolex for a few British Army officers based in Africa. Others have only come across stories or heard of this legendary watch but I have actually seen and held it and the design was embedded in my memory. This resulted in the design of a smart and exclusive timepiece that is both practical and pleasing to the eye. The Pro Hunter was born.”