THE ESSENTIALS

MAKE: ROLEX
MODEL: 5512
YEAR: 1961
BOX/PAPERS: NO/NO
CASE DIAMETER: 40mm
CASE MATERIAL: STAINLESS STEEL
BRACELET MATERIAL: STAINLESS STEEL
MOVEMENT: AUTOMATIC

The 5512 has gone down in horological folklore as the dive watch that changed game, when Rolex were striving to get the edge over their competitors at the time, mainly Omega, they had to innovate. The resulting product was a 40mm case, upped from 38mm, the addition of crown guards for the very first-time which results in a the look that has stayed with us, until Rolex recently changed their Submariner case size to 41mm.

The model was in production from 1959 until 1979 and its estimated around a quarter of subs sold during this time were 5512’s. With the addition of the 5513 in 1962 that was a slightly cheaper alternative, the 5512 was the more expensive, chronometer graded version that was aimed at the more serious and avid users, hence why the sales were much lower.

The model underwent subtle changes including the movement, dials and crown guards. The rarest version is the earliest, these came with gilted radium dials with square crown guards, Rolex realised that the crown guards made changing the crown position extremely difficult so switched them to pointed around 1960. These were then changed again around 1964 to the rounded shaped crown guards that are now seen on every sub thereafter.

The example we have here is an early PCG case with a stunning gilt dial. The early fat hooked font bezel has aged to a wonderful blue hue, The contract against the deep, creamy markers is superb. 

The stretch rivet 6636/80 end link bracelet is also in great condition. The clasp is slightly later, dated 2/70 but its the correct type for the bracelet.