Rolex Submariner 5512 Vintage

Pre-Owned Watch Condition Examination:

This Rolex Submariner is in great, honest vintage condition. The case is strong with some wear, it appears to be lightly polished. The bevels are still visible. The bezel ring has remained sharp and the insert in overall good condition with signs of wear. The bezel has aged to an attractive super dark grey color that can be hard to notice depending on the lighting. The pip is a later replacement. The dial is in excellent condition with light patina. The hour markers and hands have developed and even eggshell color. The hands have very light patina. The solid link Oyster bracelet is in overall great condition with wear and barely any stretch between the links.  

Description: Vintage Submariner 5512

Pre-owned Rolex Submariner ref 5512 (1979) 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 Its 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. 

Rolex produced the 5512 until 1979, so the example we have here is from the last year of production. Durring this time, Rolex was making the model with what collectors have nicknamed “Maxi” dials. The term “Maxi” refers to the lume plots being larger in size than previous generations, Rolex made “Maxi” 5513s also. This watch has a mark 3 “Maxi dial” which a distinct Lollipop characteristic that sets it apart. When looking closely the lume plots are pretty much touching the minute hash mark and therefore it looks like, you guessed it – a lollipop hence the nickname. In additon to being a Maxi dial, this watch is in overall great shape and the lume has all aged evenly to a gorgeous parchment color which compliments the ever so slightly faded bezel nicely. This 5512 is fresh to market and comes directly from the original owner; we are grateful that they have taken such good care of it over the years.