Introduced in 1962, the Rolex Submariner ref. 5513 and 5512 were the first Submariner models to feature crown guards, which gave the timepiece completely different aesthetics whilst enhancing its robustness, invaluable in a tool watch intended for underwater operations.
Early examples of the reference were fitted with “glossy” lacquered dials with a short production span of approximately four years. In 1967, Rolex replaced its “glossy” lacquered dials with the more common matte dial. Admired and praised by collectors, these early examples are highly sought after and rare with varying dial examples commanding more than others.
The dial of the present watch features traits which propel it to the Olympus of Submariner collecting. Most notably, it features the so-called “Explorer” configuration, or “3-6-9 dial”. While the vast majority of Submariners were fitted with regular round hour markers (for 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, 10 and 11) and rectangular batons (for 3, 6 and 9), the present watch bears this extremely rare dial configuration with thin batons (for 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, 10 and 11) and Arabic numerals (for 3, 6 and 9). The only common numeral style both versions feature is the typical triangular marker at 12. Mostly seen on the Explorer I, hence its name, this type of dial also appears on "Big Crown" Submariners, references 6200, 6538 and 5510 and the later references 5512 and 5513 with crown guards. In production for only the first half of the 1960s, references 5512 and 5513 with explorer dials are incredibly hard to find and sought-after.
When analyzing this watch closer, one can spot another extremely exciting detail: a line under the watch designation "Oyster Perpetual". This cryptical detail can be found on Rolex watches between 1961 and 1963. During these years the company transitioned, due to new international regulations, from radium based luminous material to the much less radioactive tritium-based material. The underline was intended to convey the presence of the new material but was quickly abandoned in favor of more explicit indications (such as the "T swiss T" designation).
