Manufacturer: Rolex Year: Circa 1962 Reference No: 5512 Movement No: 45'532 Case No: 818'504 Model Name: Submariner "Exclamation Mark" "Pointed Crown Guard" Material: Stainless steel Calibre: Automatic, cal. 1530, 25 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Stainless steel Rolex Oyster riveted bracelet stamped "80" to the endlinks, max length 205mm Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Rolex deployant clasp stamped "3 65" Dimensions: 40mm Diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement and clasp signed
Catalogue Essay
Though the first Rolex Submariners were produced in 1953, and released after their debut at Basel in 1954 with the references 6200, 6204, and 6205 (differences in movements used and water resistance differentiated each), the 5512 was the first Submariner reference to feature the now-ubiquitous crown guards. Developed as a tool watch, the Submariner was marketed to commercial and recreational divers. The addition of the crown guards made the watch more robust, protecting the watch crown from unintentional damage.
Like many intricacies of collecting vintage Rolex wristwatches, the various iterations of crown guards have developed their own nicknames and followings as the design evolved. The earliest were square-shaped, of which it is estimated very few exist. It is speculated that criticism of the bulky square crown guard prompted Rolex to modify the cases they had in stock, giving raise to the “eagle beak” crown guard. Finally, Rolex produced cases with unobtrusive pointed crown guards (sometimes abbreviated by collectors as PCG), as found on the present example. These early Submariners were fitted with stunning black glossy dials and featured either two or four lines of text at 6 o’clock with gilt printing in either silver or gold (or both). By the late-1960s, the crown guards were changed to a rounder design that is still in use today.
The highlight of this example is without a doubt its stunning, nearly perfectly preserved glossy “exclamation mark” dial, featuring an incredibly smooth and shiny surface. These dials were produced only for a short period of time in around 1962 and are defined by the minuscule dot of luminous material present under the 6 o’clock hour marker. Scholars debate that this aesthetic quirk indicated a less radioactive material on the dial (the early 60s was when concerns about radioactive material in dials prompted producers to lower the radiation levels eventually switching from radium to tritium).
The case as well is extremely attractive: it perfectly respects the original proportions and architecture and features supremely sharp edges and strong satin finish, emanating a close to "as-new" condition vibe.
Reuniting the aesthetic pleasure of watch collecting with its most intellectual aspect, the present glossy Exclamation Mark dial, Pointed Crown Guard 5512 is without a doubt a gem for the avid collector of fine, particular and uncommon timepieces.
Founded in 1905 England by Hans Wilsdorf and Alfred Davis as Wilsdorf & Davis, it soon became known as the Rolex Watch Company in 1915, moving its headquarters to Geneva in 1919. Like no other company, the success of the wristwatch can be attributed to many of Rolex's innovations that made them one of the most respected and well-known of all luxury brands. These innovations include their famous "Oyster" case — the world's first water resistant and dustproof watch case, invented in 1926 — and their "Perpetual" — the first reliable self-winding movement for wristwatches launched in 1933. They would form the foundation for Rolex's Datejust and Day-Date, respectively introduced in 1945 and 1956, but also importantly for their sports watches, such as the Explorer, Submariner and GMT-Master launched in the mid-1950s.
One of its most famous models is the Cosmograph Daytona. Launched in 1963, these chronographs are without any doubt amongst the most iconic and coveted of all collectible wristwatches. Other key collectible models include their most complicated vintage watches, including references 8171 and 6062 with triple calendar and moon phase, "Jean Claude Killy" triple date chronograph models and the Submariner, including early "big-crown" models and military-issued variants.
Ref. 5512 An attractive, peculiar and highly collectible stainless steel diver's wristwatch with center seconds, glossy "Exclamation Mark" dial, pointed crown guard and bracelet
Circa 1962 40mm Diameter Case, dial, movement and clasp signed
