Rolex Daytona Replica's auction results have been "flat" in recent months, but the Radiomir at the upcoming Fellows Sale should stoke the passions of Paneristi who are well-off. Military-issue pre-1990s watches are becoming increasingly rare. They end up in private collections or museums, and rarely come back on the market. A Radiomir with a unique provenance is of interest.

Lot 188 of the Birmigham auction house's 30 January sale is a rare Second World War example with a 47mm stainless steel case. The serial number is 1010292. Inside the watch is a manual-wind Rolex signed movement. The dial is black with baton hour markers and Arabic quarter numerals. It has its original, untouched patina.

The watch, which was fitted with a brown leather strap unsigned with an original base metal buckle, was worn by "Kampfschwimmers" of both the German and Italian Navy during World War II. The Replica Watches originally was intended for the Italian Decima MAS, but it was taken over by the Germans. It is believed that the German diver who purchased this watch received a special training in Italy, and wore a rubber diving suit made by Italian specialists.

The British soldier George H. Rowson acquired this watch from a Kampfschwimmer in September 1944, during an unsuccessful attempt by the Germans to destroy the Nijmegen Bridge, a vital bridge in the Netherlands. This incident took place after the Battle of Nijmegen Bridge. The Allies hoped to secure the bridge to gain rapid access to Arnhem, the Dutch city. As part of a larger initiative called Operation Market Garden the Allied airborne forces and land forces tried to liberate Eindhoven, Nijmegen and other Dutch cities from German occupation.

Rowson's account from first-hand accounts of the incident states that at 6:30 am on 29 September 1944 German Kampfschwimmers attached underwater charges to the main supports for the bridge in Nijmegen. After completing their mission, the German soldiers exited the water thinking that they were now back in their own lines. They were then captured by Rowson and a group of British soldiers.breitling replica watches They were able to defuse the charges and Nijmegen Bridge was not damaged.

This lot is a treasure trove of information for those who want to know more about the watch. This lot contains a written account of the battle by the soldier that brought it back, as well a piece from the rubber suit of the German frogman, who received the watch. It also includes facsimiles of documents detailing the history of the English soldier. The caseback is hand-engraved with Rowson's rank and name, as well as the date of battle.