1979 5512: Looking for opinions

[darrenho]

Inputs and thoughts from the community and experts on the dial, hands and insert in a 1979 Rolex 5512 (image attached here) would be very much appreciated. Serial #6.1M.

Is this dial original to the watch, or is it a service dial? If it is a genuine Rolex service dial, is it worth purchasing (no box or papers) for a daily assuming it's priced accordingly?
And, how much of a value in difference between the original dial and this service dial in a late 5512? Being the watch is a circa 1979 (matte dial, ft first), does it make a big difference in terms of value between an original dial and a genuine service dial?

Anything that’s flagging on the watch overall (such as hands and inserts)?

[Dan S]

Insert appears to be service IMO. Good clear high-res in-focus photos of the dial, where the hands are not obscuring the printing, are always helpful.

[Ten Ten & 32]

Originally Posted by Dan S

Insert appears to be service IMO. Good clear high-res in-focus photos of the dial, where the hands are not obscuring the printing, are always helpful.

I’m interested to know what flags the bezel insert up as a service item over an original - especially as there’s only a tiny proportion visible in the photo?

This is a genuine question btw from someone keen to learn

Thanks in advance

👍

[zapokee]

I used to have a 5512 with an early service dial (according to the late great vintage Rolex expert Marcello Pisani, which is good enough for me).

The dash in "Swiss-T" was slightly offset to the right in relation to the six o'clock marker (photo credit: HQ Milton). The dash on the OP's dial appears to be completely central.

Remind me again why I sold it...

[Kingface66]

Originally Posted by Ten Ten & 32

I’m interested to know what flags the bezel insert up as a service item over an original - especially as there’s only a tiny proportion visible in the photo?

This is a genuine question btw from someone keen to learn

Thanks in advance

👍

The font is too thin for starters. Compare the top of the 4 (in 40) to a non-service insert.

[darrenho]

Sorry I had to crop the image due to the size limitation.
Will get a clearer picture of the dial with better visibility.

[darrenho]

I hope this would help. Lighting wasn’t good I know.



Is the dial a Rolex service dial?
If it is a service dial in a 1979 Rolex Submariner 5512, how much of a value difference between it and the original?
*I’ve seen dials with “SUBMARINER” on top of depth ratings. Are they the original dials, or not 100% the case?


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[Dan S]

I am more familiar with 5513 dials, but I think that the Submariner text went from below to above the depth rating in the late 70s. The photo is a bit blurry, but yours might be a Mk1 Maxi.

[darrenho]

Managed to receive another close-ups of the 5512, though the Rolex prints on the dial are partially blocked.
Couldn’t find much info on the matte dials of late 5512 online. Not sure if they are similar to the 5513 in every way, except for the 4-line prints.
Again, could this be an original dial or a Rolex service dial?
Does it matter in terms of value with a Rolex service dial on a late 5512 (1979) vs an original dial?




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[swish77]

I'd look here to see if you can find a corresponding 5513 dial, which are generally considered to have the same characteristics as the 5512 dials minus the two extra lines of text.

http://www.5513mattedial.com/About.html

At a quick glance, looks like it's a Maxi I dial, not a later service dial, which would have "Submariner" above the depth rating. The difference in value between the original and service dials is massive.

[darrenho]

Found a 1971 5512 on Bxb’s Watches website and noticed the coronet print and lower 4-line prints on the dial are slightly different from the one I posted.
The prints are a bit bold on the 1971 and the “ft” text fonts are different. The distance/gap between “600” and “ft” is slightly different, too.




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[Dan S]

Yes, that is a completely different dial variant, non-serif. Did you take Aaron's advice about studying the website. There are very specific tells for the different dials, often involving alignment with characters in different rows. You don't have to re-invent the wheel.

[darrenho]

Thanks, Dan.
I revisited the http://www.5513mattedial.com/ on the Maxi dial category. The one I posted does look like a Maxi I matte dial with "SUBMARINER" printed under the depth rating.

Originally Posted by Dan S

Yes, that is a completely different dial variant, non-serif. Did you take Aaron's advice about studying the website. There are very specific tells for the different dials, often involving alignment with characters in different rows. You don't have to re-invent the wheel.

[007Sub]

This dial is a correct mk1 maxi 5512 (what some collectors call the "King Maxi"). The mk1 variant can be found between early 5mil to early 6 mill range. I've seen original examples of mk1 maxi's as late as 6.2mil. This is not a service dial. The value will be impacted by the service insert and extent of case polishing (among other things including movement condition).

[springer]

Originally Posted by 007Sub

This dial is a correct mk1 maxi 5512 (what some collectors call the "King Maxi"). The mk1 variant can be found between early 5mil to early 6 mill range. I've seen original examples of mk1 maxi's as late as 6.2mil. This is not a service dial. The value will be impacted by the service insert and extent of case polishing (among other things including movement condition).

I agree with Greg. The dial is a correct original dial for the year of the watch and not a service dial. Check Bladeshot's thread on his late 1970s Submariner 5512 barn find.

Looks like it has been a good week for 5512s.

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=857564

[darrenho]

Thanks, guys.
Just when I was ready to pull the trigger, the watch had been sold on that day. :(

[darrenho]

Thanks, guys.
Just when I was ready to pull the trigger, the watch had been sold on that day. :(

[007Sub]

Originally Posted by darrenho

Thanks, guys.
Just when I was ready to pull the trigger, the watch had been sold on that day. :(

damn sorry to hear!