Gilt PCG 5512 with a Military Backstory. Advice Appreciated!

[ahantel]

Hi all,

New here on the forum from Chicago, IL, USA. Been a Speedmaster guy for a few years until the following story happened, which ended with me being passed a gilt 5512. I am fairly new to Subs and so I'm asking for your thoughts on the state of the watch and what should be done with it with regards to parts - you'll see what I'm talking about (not selling it though, sorry). I'll describe it as best as can to accompany the pictures.

Before pictures/description though, I'd like to share a few words about the man who passed it to me, Edwin. He's an elderly man in my church who knows that I like vintage watches and got this Sub from his mother in 1962 in St Thomas after finishing training in the US Marines. He knew he needed a waterproof watch that would allow him to, as he said "swim out of the submarines they had us transport on in the gulf" ... when he was at Guantanamo Bay during the Cuban Missile Crisis! Given just that I think this watch's military designation surpasses most mil-sub's provenance. But I digress, he used this watch then and for the next 15 years as he became a master parachuter for the Marines in Vietnam, landing safely during all 127 (!!) jumps before leaving the Marines for the seminary. I told him about the worth of the watch but he simply wanted a good home for it to be cherished and didn't know a better place to leave it for the next generation than with me.

Looking at the watch itself: the dial looks fantastic. The lume all looks intact and with only the tiniest of blemishes on the 4 o'clock dot. The surface of the dial itself is great, no chips or marks on the gilt. I know there's all the detail with regards to the writing of the depth rating and above/below the lacquer - to me it looks like the depth rating is more of a silver color that sits above the lacquer (or at least it's still visible whereas the rest of the writing/dial is reflective) and the word Submariner is golden like the crown/ROLEX logo. Anything that looks grungy in the pictures is probably the crystal, which is chipped at 6 and scratched other places. The hands are either original or were replaced long enough ago that the lume on them looks the same color as the dial. Neither glows in the dark after having light shined directly on it.

The case looks polished but still on the thicker side, or at least the pins seem to leave a good 1-2mm recess before they meet the edge of the case. I can't read the serial number between the lugs but I can read the 5512 and what looks like "registered design" in caps below it. I don't have a tool to open it so once that happens I'll be able to tell you some more. The crown looks like a newer one as well with the three dots under the logo.

The bracelet appears to be a newer one, labeled 9315 with one end piece marked 258 and the other 380. As is obvious, the bezel and insert are missing. The watch is, sadly, no longer working.

As this is something I would like to have repaired and looking as good (and original) as possible, I'd love to hear what you think and what you think should be done. Besides repairing the movement I'm proposing to 1) buy an original bezel/insert (please tell me which ones are right for this model/year!) 2) replace the crystal (again, which one is correct?) 3) buy a rivet bracelet/endlinks (again, correct information would be helpful). I am +/- on replacing the crown. Additionally, since the case appears thick but the bevel on the lugs is polished, any thoughts on refinishing that onto the case? I know that's controversial waters but I'm new so pleading ignorance.

Sorry if anything I said was incorrect, please let me know so I can learn and appreciate this new member of the family.

[joli160]

That's a very nice story. It would be great if Edwin could provide you with logs from his service.

[Texican]

Get in touch with Edvi at ABC WatchWerks in LA...they do fabulous work and can answer all your questions and discuss options and are a big help in sourcing vintage parts for a rebuild. Needless to say, do NOT send to any Rolex Service Center!! They'll want to replace dial, hands, etc. What you have is well worth the cost and effort to restore....gilt dial subs are pretty pricey these days...

[morafa4]

Awesome find! The triplock crown and bracelet suggest that it was serviced sometime in the 70's -- but that sort of thing doesn't sound to be much of a mystery, as I'm sure you could just ask Edwin. Anyways, great story and always enjoy individuals who cherish these items enough to pass them along warmly/lovingly (while not minding overzealous financial gain). My '68 1675 was obtained in very much the same way. Cheers to you and the new lease on life you're giving Edwin's watch!

[watchcrank]

Same advise as on VRF site....

[james1787]

That watch looks great! What an awesome story that comes with it :)

I would think you should have no problem getting a nice vintage bezel/insert for it. As others said Do Not sent it to RSC. I can wait to see it when it's all put back together and running!

[TheRolexKingofLV]

Thats one of the greatest stories Ive ever read here on TRF...You are lucky man to have known such greatness. Your friend is a true hero, and that watch could be in a museum as a National treasure. Be proud that a man like that chose you, and instilled the responsibility to you of being its "keeper". Wear it as proud as he did!

[AzHadEnuf]

ABC WATCHWERKS in L.A.

[Wesley Crusher]

Great watch, but an even greater story.

I would not refinish the case. The wear and tear is a nice reminder of what a full life that watch has seen.

[Wing Zero]

Beautiful watch !!
You also now know who owned it before you and the stories it holds
Can't wait for the finished restored pictures !!
Keep us posted

[QueueCumber]

Likely a 1960 case serial with that Mk I dial.

[QueueCumber]

If it is a 1959 case, I will cry for them polishing away the Eagle Beak...

[ahantel]

Thanks for the well wishes and comments, they're much appreciated. Edwin's story is amazing and a watch blogger will be diving into the story a bit more with me in the coming days so there'll be more information (and hopefully pictures of Edwin wearing it) in the near future.

At the moment I think I'm going to source a long 5 insert, a 7206 bracelet from some time in the 60s, and a twin lock crown/tube from the interwebs and send it over to ABC for servicing and completion.

QueueCumber - looking at the crown guards the top one is a bit taller and has an edge that runs radially out from the crown - from comparison with this watch: http://robertmaron.com/product.php?productid=19878 it looks like it has similar shaping so it probably had more defined 'eagle beaks' that were polished. Reading up on these before I didn't know that 5512's had eagle beaks, the lists tend to say there were the rare square crown guard prototypes and then went right to pointed crown guards. Is this a subtype of those? and where does this put it in the 5512 line-up?

And given that finding 1. any possible way in the world to get those back?? 2. Probably not going to polish it anymore...

Thanks again for the help!