Vintage watch questions, newbie ?s

[Toytruckmike]

Hello all,

I tried to find the answers using search, so pardon me if I am rehashing old info. You seem like a very friendly and patient bunch!

This seems to be a common story so here goes:
A few years ago my dad gave me his Rolex Submariner that my mom had got for him when they were stationed overseas. I think in the late 60s. I tried to determine the model, but it is worn off between the lugs, so I can't tell. I think it is a 5512, but the "Swiss Made " under the 6 marking doesn't have the t<25 on it, which is throwing me off. Also, the minute marks have a silver circle around them, which I have not seen in other pics on this forum.

I took some s o r r y pics, the crystal is very cracked so it was hard to get good pics with a instant camera.






I would like to get his watch repaired, but don't know where to go. The local AD is somewhat snooty so I prefer to use someone more friendly. I am getting mixed info about the Authorized RC in Dallas, but I am thinking they will not repair my watch since it is so old.

Condtion description: The crystal is very badly damaged, the dial face has marks from the hands turning, the luminous markings have had the minute hand mark some of them. Lastly, my dad said the original band broke and he didn't keep it, which I am reading was a big mistake. I have been wearing it for the last few days, and it seems to be working ok, although a little slow. You can assume it has not be well maintained over the years...

1st) Does anyone know what model this could be from the description I have made and the bad pics?

2nd) Should I try to get it fixed through Rolex first, or go straight to another repair facility?

I am very un-knowledgable about these watches and am very nervous about having it repaired since it has a great deal of sentimental value.

Thanks to all who can help!

Michael S.

[chevycorvette]

rolex service center bro.

[Letsgodiving]

Was the "Superlative Chronometer Officially Certified" added at some point or touched up? It doesn't seem to match.

[BuffaloRolex]

Hi Mike,

What a wonderful watch to have passed down to you. Congratulations!

I agree with your assessment that it's a 5512. Dial appears to be consistent with that seen here, but for that pesky, missing "SWISS - T<25." Now, the 5512 was launched in 1959 and is actually the first to have the crown guard. At this point, Radium was used as the luminous material for the hour markers and hands. It was not until 1960 that the less radioactive Tritium replaced Radium. If you have one of those first year's 5512s, then you'd likely have only SWISS written underneath the six o'clock hour marker. Can't tell from the pics if this is the case.

[BuffaloRolex]

The little dot under the six o'clock hour marker is also very interesting, as is the bracelet.

I'll be curious to hear from our experts!

[mike]

Mike,

Your watch is indeed a 5512. I'm aware of seven different dial variations for this reference (I'm sure there's more). Yours is 4 line bi-color enclosed minute track consistent with a 62-64? timeframe.
The little dot at 6 o'clock is also consistent with examples from that time frame as is the "SWISS" marking.
These are quite rare and sought after examples with pricing for an all correct reference well into five digits.

The bracelet as you state is not correct, but a replacement can be had with a bit of searching.

As you note, the watch needs servicing (I really can't tell as to the overall condition of dial due to the pic and the crystal), but certainly the amount of the service is a small fraction of the value of such a piece.

I don't think you're going to get much satisfaction from Rolex as to servicing (they would kill it anyway).

If it were my watch I would send it here,

http://www.watchmakers.com/index.html

and have Bob work his magic. Bob understands the value (both monetary and sentamental) pieces like this have.

May I say congrats on a very nice sought after reference, and one which is not only valuable, but with such a sentamental history.

[Lol-x]

I agree with Mike that sending this to Rolex for servicing may yield unsatisftory results.
It is one very sought after dial that you have and so do not change that for a newer dial at all. I would not even touch the dial at all as it is a beauty.
However what you really want done to your watch is a new crystal and a mechanical servicing.
Good Luck and welcome

[Tools]

My congragulations on having such a wonderful time-piece in your family..

Good advice has been given..

[BuffaloRolex]

Originally Posted by mike

Mike,

Your watch is indeed a 5512. I'm aware of seven different dial variations for this reference (I'm sure there's more). Yours is 4 line bi-color enclosed minute track consistent with a 62-64? timeframe...

Great info...Thanks, Mike!

[Toytruckmike]

I saw my dad today and got some better info
The watch was bought in my hometown at an Auth. dealer around 1962! He has the "registration" card somewhere and he is looking for it.

That makes this watch older than me!

He still had the band, but it is in horrible shape. I guess it has little springs in each link and several are broke. It doesn't look long enough to me, but he said it should be. The clasp has the Rolex crown on it, so it looks correct.

He verified that the watch face is the original, so I don't know how the white marks got rubbed with the hands, unless someone at some point touched the hands and bent them?

The ring (whats it called?) that surrounds the crystal is not original, he lost the original at work and could not find it. He had a replacement put on.

The crystal was ruined when he sprayed "OFF" bug repelant on it once, wow, beware of OFF.

I am getting excited to have this watch repaired! He swears that the date can be added, but I don't think that would be wise at this point.

Thanks for all the great replies! I can't believe how great this forum is, and how world wide the contributors are, very cool.

Cheers,
Michael S.

[jac67]

Hello Michael

That is one really nice 5512. I agree with Mike's assessment.

That dial (with the dot at 6 o'clock), some call it exclaimation dial which is quite rare and desirable.

I would get it serviced by a Rolex trained watchmaker, just to ensure it is properly oiled and regulated.

DO NOT change the dial, hands etc, as this WILL effect the value.

DO NOT alter the watch from the original. There are also some pretty good bracelet repair people out there that can do wonders with beaten up bracelets.

You may be surprised that this watch is worth US$15,000+, so be very careful who works on it.

Great watch, thanks for sharing.


John.

[BuffaloRolex]

Originally Posted by Toytruckmike

I saw my dad today and got some better info
The watch was bought in my hometown at an Auth. dealer around 1962! He has the "registration" card somewhere and he is looking for it.

That makes this watch older than me!

He still had the band, but it is in horrible shape. I guess it has little springs in each link and several are broke. It doesn't look long enough to me, but he said it should be. The clasp has the Rolex crown on it, so it looks correct.

He verified that the watch face is the original, so I don't know how the white marks got rubbed with the hands, unless someone at some point touched the hands and bent them?

The ring (whats it called?) that surrounds the crystal is not original, he lost the original at work and could not find it. He had a replacement put on.

I think you mean the bezel?

Originally Posted by Toytruckmike

The crystal was ruined when he sprayed "OFF" bug repelant on it once, wow, beware of OFF.

I am getting excited to have this watch repaired! He swears that the date can be added, but I don't think that would be wise at this point.

No, you couldn't have the date added. And you wouldn't want to either, as altering it from this form would immediately and drastically reduce the value. As advised by others, make sure that the dial and hands are retained and not replaced!

Originally Posted by Toytruckmike

Thanks for all the great replies! I can't believe how great this forum is, and how world wide the contributors are, very cool.

Cheers,
Michael S.

Congratulations again on such a beautiful timepiece. Share with us your progress and wear it in good health!