Corrie Ebbelaar's inscribed Rolex Submariner heads to Heritage auction after record swim

Heritage's Watches & Fine Timepieces Signature® Auction on April 24 will feature a unique Rolex Important Ref. 5513 Submariner Presentation Watch inscribed to Dutch swimmer Corrie Ebbelaar. Ebbelaar set the fastest cross-channel swim record in 10 hours, 43 minutes, breaking Greta Anderson's previous standard by nearly three hours. The watch commemorates her achievement swimming from England to France. Rolex's waterproof reputation was established decades earlier when Mercedes Gleitze wore an Oyster watch during her 1927 English Channel swim, proving its reliability. Founder Hans Wilsdorf's vision of creating elegant yet functional timepieces was realized through these aquatic demonstrations. The inscribed timepiece serves as both trophy and historical artifact, highlighting the intersection of horology and athletic achievement.