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Lee · 22 August 2007, 10:19 AM

Hi everyone, My name is Lee and I am new to the vintage Rolex scene. I was propelled into it by inheriting a 1.5 mil 5512 from my dad. To him it was just a watch. To me it is an heirloom and I'm an on a quest to "correct it".
My biggest problem as some of you already know, is I am having a hard time determining the vintage. I have some reputable people telling me 1966-67 and some saying 1962.
My jeweler stopped by my work today and removed the case back. It has a 1570 movement. Oddly though, it has a 5513, second quarter 1967 caseback. The watch is clearly stamped 5512.
My jeweler says he has a date chart from Rolex (scan to be provided tomm.) swearing it is a 1962.
I just don't know what to do. A wrong decision will result in the wrong dial being put on it. Any ideas fellas?

mike · 22 August 2007, 10:48 AM

Lee, II/67 on the inside caseback is consistent with the serial number. Rolex in that time commonly used casebacks marked 5513 for 5512s. They're the same part.
I've followed your posts on TZ. Those guys are giving you the straight story. 1962 is just a bit early for that number.

What do the crown guards look like? Pointy or square?

If like on the left--early
If like on the right--late

Rockrolex · 22 August 2007, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lee

Hi everyone, My name is Lee and I am new to the vintage Rolex scene. I was propelled into it by inheriting a 1.5 mil 5512 from my dad. To him it was just a watch. To me it is an heirloom and I'm an on a quest to "correct it".
My biggest problem as some of you already know, is I am having a hard time determining the vintage. I have some reputable people telling me 1966-67 and some saying 1962.
My jeweler stopped by my work today and removed the case back. It has a 1570 movement. Oddly though, it has a 5513, second quarter 1967 caseback. The watch is clearly stamped 5512.
My jeweler says he has a date chart from Rolex (scan to be provided tomm.) swearing it is a 1962.
I just don't know what to do. A wrong decision will result in the wrong dial being put on it. Any ideas fellas?

Hi, Lee. Sorry, I'm not into vintage stuff, so I can't help you. But I'm sure several members who are vintage collectors will be along soon to help you out.

BTW, welcome to TRF. Stick around and enjoy yourself here.

watchgeek · 22 August 2007, 11:21 AM

A 62 would have pointed guards the 67 would not. As far as the 5513 caseback is concerned, it would belong to this watch as they used those casebacks on those models interchangeabley. IMHO your watch is from 1967.

Lee · 22 August 2007, 11:24 AM

The crown guards are square. I plan to remove the yucky after market bracelet and send it to the RSC in Bevery Hills. Gonna let'em put a replacement dial and hands on it, (existing replacement dial was horribly refinished). The hunt continues for a correct dial and hands, when I find those the replacements from Rolex will be stored or sold. Same with a real vintage bracelet...
I will post before and after pics and I go.

Can I get a poll on which dial to hunt for. A white or gilt. 4 lines or 2? I'm assuming because it has 1750 movement that it would be 4 line. Thx all, Lee

mike · 22 August 2007, 08:22 PM

As a 1.5 mil 5512 the dial will be 4 line. As to white or gilt, safe bet is white, though gilt might be ok. Rolex used what was on hand, and that's at the end of the run.

RSC will service and replace with the most correct dial and hands. In the case of the 5512 as it never was issued with a WG surround dial, it will be matt with luminova markers. It will say "SWISS" on the bottom.
A replacement bracelet will be a 93150 with 580 end links.

Period correct is probably a 7206 revited.
As to finding a period correct dial--it may take a while and be prepared to pay$$$ for a nice one. The cost of vintage parts has gone crazy!

Good luck!

mike · 22 August 2007, 08:24 PM

I should add assuming they will service--depends on if parts are available. Good luck!

SPACE-DWELLER · 22 August 2007, 10:50 PM

Can you post us a pic of your Rolex?

Getting the real parts will be quite a quest, but I wish you good luck!

If you get them, please post a pic of the final result

watchgeek · 22 August 2007, 11:42 PM

You should not have that dial replaced - all the value will be lost

SPACE-DWELLER · 23 August 2007, 12:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by watchgeek

You should not have that dial replaced - all the value will be lost

I cannot see why the value of the watch should be lost IF it has a wrong dial now and he finds the RIGHT vintage dial that belongs to that model. As long as its vintage and is the right thing and in good condition it would even make it worth MORE

watchgeek · 23 August 2007, 12:18 AM

Bo, you are right about that - but as i understand he wanted Rolex to replace the dial, and that would not be period correct

Lee · 23 August 2007, 07:58 AM

I am going to have them replace it because it already has a replacement that was horribly redone. At least that way I'll have a genuine dial to sell later to put towards a vintage one. Seems like a lot of work, but I think it will be worth it.

22 August 2007, 10:19 AM	#1
Lee Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Slidell,La Posts: 18	5512 quest,continued. Hi everyone, My name is Lee and I am new to the vintage Rolex scene. I was propelled into it by inheriting a 1.5 mil 5512 from my dad. To him it was just a watch. To me it is an heirloom and I'm an on a quest to "correct it". My biggest problem as some of you already know, is I am having a hard time determining the vintage. I have some reputable people telling me 1966-67 and some saying 1962. My jeweler stopped by my work today and removed the case back. It has a 1570 movement. Oddly though, it has a 5513, second quarter 1967 caseback. The watch is clearly stamped 5512. My jeweler says he has a date chart from Rolex (scan to be provided tomm.) swearing it is a 1962. I just don't know what to do. A wrong decision will result in the wrong dial being put on it. Any ideas fellas?

22 August 2007, 10:48 AM	#2
mike "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 22,683	Lee, II/67 on the inside caseback is consistent with the serial number. Rolex in that time commonly used casebacks marked 5513 for 5512s. They're the same part. I've followed your posts on TZ. Those guys are giving you the straight story. 1962 is just a bit early for that number. What do the crown guards look like? Pointy or square? If like on the left--early If like on the right--late Last edited by mike; 22 August 2007 at 11:08 AM.. Reason: pic added

22 August 2007, 10:50 PM	#8
SPACE-DWELLER "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Real Name: Bo Location: Denmark Watch: Rolex, of course! Posts: 22,436	Can you post us a pic of your Rolex? Getting the real parts will be quite a quest, but I wish you good luck! If you get them, please post a pic of the final result __________________ With kind regards, Bo LocTite 221: The Taming Of The Screw...

22 August 2007, 11:21 AM	#4
watchgeek Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Toronto Posts: 559	A 62 would have pointed guards the 67 would not. As far as the 5513 caseback is concerned, it would belong to this watch as they used those casebacks on those models interchangeabley. IMHO your watch is from 1967.

22 August 2007, 11:24 AM	#5
Lee Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Slidell,La Posts: 18	The crown guards are square. I plan to remove the yucky after market bracelet and send it to the RSC in Bevery Hills. Gonna let'em put a replacement dial and hands on it, (existing replacement dial was horribly refinished). The hunt continues for a correct dial and hands, when I find those the replacements from Rolex will be stored or sold. Same with a real vintage bracelet... I will post before and after pics and I go. Can I get a poll on which dial to hunt for. A white or gilt. 4 lines or 2? I'm assuming because it has 1750 movement that it would be 4 line. Thx all, Lee

22 August 2007, 08:22 PM	#6
mike "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 22,683	As a 1.5 mil 5512 the dial will be 4 line. As to white or gilt, safe bet is white, though gilt might be ok. Rolex used what was on hand, and that's at the end of the run. RSC will service and replace with the most correct dial and hands. In the case of the 5512 as it never was issued with a WG surround dial, it will be matt with luminova markers. It will say "SWISS" on the bottom. A replacement bracelet will be a 93150 with 580 end links. Period correct is probably a 7206 revited. As to finding a period correct dial--it may take a while and be prepared to pay$$$ for a nice one. The cost of vintage parts has gone crazy! Good luck!

22 August 2007, 08:24 PM	#7
mike "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 22,683	I should add assuming they will service--depends on if parts are available. Good luck!

22 August 2007, 11:42 PM	#9
watchgeek Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Toronto Posts: 559	You should not have that dial replaced - all the value will be lost

23 August 2007, 12:18 AM	#11
watchgeek Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Toronto Posts: 559	Bo, you are right about that - but as i understand he wanted Rolex to replace the dial, and that would not be period correct

23 August 2007, 07:58 AM	#12
Lee Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Slidell,La Posts: 18	I am going to have them replace it because it already has a replacement that was horribly redone. At least that way I'll have a genuine dial to sell later to put towards a vintage one. Seems like a lot of work, but I think it will be worth it.

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