Vintage Rolex Submariner Ref 5512 Exclamation Dial

This 5512 is in overall good, honest vintage condition. The case is in good condition with some scratches, nicks, and normal signs of wear throughout. The lugs have some indentions on the edges/tips. The bevels are still visible. The inside caseback is stamped "5512 II.61." The numbers are clearly visible between the lugs. The bezel ring has remained sharp and the "long 5" insert is in good condition with scratches and normal wear; the pip is a later replacement. This has retained its correct non-triplock crown (no 3 dots). The dial is in overall honest attractive condition and has developed wear and patina. The once glossy dial is now more matted with textured patina throughout, it almost has a stingray skin look in areas. When looking at the dial closely there is some marks and hand-drag. The edge of the dial and in the center has developed some brownish patina. The lume on the dial has developed patina and aged to a lovely tan color. The hands have developed patina and the lume in the hands has aged a bit darker than the lume on the dial. The seconds hand has a small crack in the lume which can be seen mainly under magnification. This has been matched with a tan NATO-style nylon strap which we think works well to highlight the broken-in tool watch aesthetic this watch drips with.

This vintage Rolex Submariner ref 5512 circa 1961 is an important reference in Submariner history; It was the first Submariner to feature crown guards, a detail that all Subs would have going forward and still do today. Throughout the production of the 5512 Rolex made many different variations, from glossy dials to matte dials with many slight updates and changes. The 5512 may look nearly identical to the 5513 (that came out in 1962, three years later) but the main difference would be that the 5512 has the chronometer certified movement (COSC). Since the 5512 had a COSC movement, they were more expensive than the 5513 and were not as popular, we see less of them in general. The 5512s would typically have four lines of text at the bottom of the dial and the 5513 always has two; that is one good way of telling apart the references at a glance It’s not always that simple, early examples of the 5512 also have two lines of text, like the example we have here. 

This 5512 features a gilt dial with chapter ring and two lines of text at the bottom. This also has a little dot under the six o'clock marker giving this the nickname "Exclamation point" dial. The watch also has pointed crown guards which came directly before the standard rounded style crown guards that Rolex started using around 1964. These early 5512s are special watches and it takes a real connoisseur to appreciate these subtle details. We love how this watch aged from the case to the bezel and dial, this was clearly worn and loved for decades. The dial has taken on a textured patina giving it a unique look, we paired it on a sand colored NATO strap to accentuate the patina and lume color.