The Rolex Submariner ref. 5512 was first launched in 1959 marking an important milestone for the model featuring for the first time a larger 40mm diameter case with crown guards, which has set the design principle of the Submariner witnessed even in the newest models today. While earliest examples of the reference were fitted with gilt dials from 1959 to 1966, examples from 1967 onwards featured a matte dial. The reference was discontinued entirely in 1980. With that said, matte dial examples were offered with two main differences, early examples featured only two lines of texts, and later examples featured four lines of text with the addition of “SUPERLATIVE CHRONOMETER OFFICIALLY CERTIFIED” signifying the implementation of the new chronometer cal. 1570 with hacking seconds.
The present example Rolex Submariner ref. 5512 with a 5.3 million serial with a MK II matte dial from circa 1977 is offered in attractive overall condition boasting a nice and well-preserved dial with desirable luminous plots. Exuding a handsome vintage appeal through its ghost bezel, it is a nice example for up and coming vintage collectors to take a closer look at.
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.