ROLEX | 'PANAMA CANAL' SUBMARINER, REF 16613 LIMITED EDITION STAINLESS STEEL AND YELLOW GOLD WRISTWATCH WITH DATE AND BRACELET MADE TO COMMEMORATE THE TRANSFER OF THE PANAMA CANAL FROM THE UNITED STATES TO THE REPUBLIC OF PANAMA CIRCA 1999

The Rolex brand has over the years managed to build its tremendous exclusivity without relying on limited edition pieces. In addition to showcasing the sheer impact of the brand on consumers, this makes the scarce watches which Rolex produced in limited numbers highly collectable. Such pieces are very often commemorating a historic event or embarked on professional adventures to be used as reliable tools. 

The present Rolex Submariner 16613 in stainless steel and gold was produced in 1999 in only 75 numbered pieces, specifically for Mercurio Joyero, a retailer in Panama. This extremely rare commemorative watch celebrates the actual transfer of the Panama Canal from US control to the hands of the Republic of Panama. The Panamanian community celebrated this national pride on December 31, 1999, as the 1977 treaties, allowing the US to build and operate the canal in exchange for a fee, was abrogated. 

The collectable Submariner bears minor cosmetic differences which quickly set it apart. The dial bears a matching gilt emblem representing the Panama Canal, flanked by the words "Panama Canal / Canal de Panama". The back of the watch displays a simple limited edition number engraved to its periphery. The present example is numbered 57/75. 

With Rolex producing close to a million watches per year, the absurdly low number of examples for this edition makes it a genuine modern Rolex treasure.