Vintage Rolex Submariner Ref 5512 Glossy Dial

This 5512 is in overall great, honest vintage condition. The case is in good condition with some scratches, nicks, and normal signs of wear throughout. 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 great condition with light scratches and normal signs of wear. The pip is a later replacement. The chapter ring dial is in great condition with some patina, it has remained glossy. The dial has hour hand drag marks visible in the center, and some other wear/ scratches that can be hard to notice. The hands have developed patina. The lume on the dial has developed patina and aged to a lovely yellow color. The lume in the hands has developed patina and the lume in the hands has been color matched/ relumed to match the lume on the dial. This has a 7206 bracelet with no. 80 end links and 12 links. The clasp is stamped "1 67" indicating it's is from 1967. The bracelet is in great condition with scratches, normal signs of wear and light stretch between the links. Th clasp has some slight indentations on the sides. The crystal has some light scratches.  

Pre-owned 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) 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. 

This 5512 features a glossy dial with chapter ring and four lines of text at the bottom. When looking closely you can see that the four lines of text on the dial are two colors; the top are gold and the bottom are silver that was printed directly on top of the dial - we love this little detail! 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. From the well preserved "Long 5" bezel to the chapter ring dial, and Swiss rivet Oyster bracelet - this has that vintage look and feel collectors seek out.