Vintage Rolex Submariner Reference 5512

This vintage Rolex Submariner reference 5512 is in great, honest vintage condition. The case is strong with scratches and nicks throughout. The bevels on the case are clearly visible. Between the lugs show some wear from the bracelet and all of the numbers are visible. The inside caseback is stamped "5513 III.65." Rolex would often times use 5512 and 5513 caseback interchangeably and we have seen this many times before. The bezel ring has remained sharp and the "Long 5" bezel insert has faded throughout to a lovely grey color with a hint of lavender depending on the lighting.  This watch has retained it's correct non-triplock crown. The dial is in great, attractive condition and has turned light brown from 3 to 10 o'clock towards the center, its a bit more brownish on the lower half, this can be hard to notice depending on the light. When looking closely the dial shows signs of "spidering"/ crazing around most the hour markers from 2 - 9 o'clock. The hands have developed patina and the lume on the dial and in the hands has aged to an attractive pale yellow color. The minute hand has two small holes in the lume. The USA C&I Oyster Stretch Rivet bracelet and has 11 links. The clasp is dated "7-66" indicating it is from 1966. The bracelet is in good, honest condition with scratches and has little stretch between the links. The bracelet still expands and retracts with tension. The crystal has light wear. 

The Rolex 5512 (Circa 1966) 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 5512's 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, but still have the COSC movement. Overall the 5512 is a cult favorite and we see many collectors gravitate towards these especially after they have gone down the rabbit hole.

This example is circa 1966 and has a gilt, glossy dial and it would have been the last variation of the glossy dial before Rolex switched to matte dials. Gilt refers to the color of the Rolex logo, "Oyster Perpetual" and depth rating and "Submariner" text on the dial, while glossy is referring to the shiny black surface of the dial aka "glossy." This example has the additional two-lines of text under the depth rating in silver and would have been applied directly to the surface of the dial. There is something special about these glossy dial Subs that give the watch a completely different look. Another neat detail is that the movement is stamped "ROW" which was the Rolex US import code meaning this watch was destined for the US market. This watch is on its C&I USA bracelet (with corresponding date code) which makes sense since it was made for the US market, we love when the little details line up! 

This Sub has a great look and feel from the gorgeous lume color to the rivet bracelet. We love even yellow lume color; it contrasts so nicely with the "semi-tropical spider dial." Setting this Sub apart from others is the way the dial aged, it has started turning brown on the lower half of the dial giving it a unique look. We see more collectors gravitating towards vintage watches with interesting and unique patina. If you are in the market for a glossy Submariner with character, this is worth considering!