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1008

Rolex

Ref. 5512

Submariner

A fine and rare stainless steel diver’s wristwatch with center seconds and bracelet

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Starting a new era for the Rolex Submariner, the firm released the ref. 5512 in 1959 being the first Submariner that shares much of its aesthetics of the Submariners of today. An important milestone for Rolex, the reference featured for the first time a 40mm diameter Oyster case with crown guards. Whilst earliest examples of the reference featured glossy gilt dials, Rolex replaced them entirely with matte dials from 1967 onwards. Discontinued in 1980, the ref. 5512 was produced for a total of 21 years.

While examples fitted with a matte dial had its differences, earlier specimens of the reference featured only two lines of text on the dial while later examples featured four lines of text with the addition of “SUPERLATIVE CHRONOMETER OFFICIALLY CERTIFIED” signifying the implementation of the new chronometer cal. 1570.

The present example Rolex Submariner ref. 5512 featuring a 4-liner matte dial with a 1.6 million serial from circa 1967 is an early example that was most likely delivered to the United States as it features a “ROW” stamp on the movement. The present example is preserved in attractive overall condition boasting a thick case with a well-preserved dial.

Rolex

Swiss | 1905

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.

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