Incredible Daily-worn Vintage Sub

[WBrown999]

Just finished an appointment with a gentleman who has worn this Submariner daily since he bought it. The watch was purchased at the British-controlled Port of Aden. Based off his age, I would guess sometime in the late 50s or early 60s, but I am not an expert on those early reference numbers. Just wanted to share this beauty!

[Kyle3130]

Very cool!

[Tony8959]

Awesome ! Still in really good shape for a watch that age which was worn that much.

[Danny83]

Nice

[BNA/LION]

Luv It!

[enginerd]

Not 50s and probably not 60s. My guess is mid to late 70s if it was born a white dial.

You can study the dial variations here:

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=513941

or here:

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=192774


Yours looks like a MKII or MKIII (close ups would help). Post in the Vintage section and you'll get a lot more info.

Here's my old '79 MK1:

[mjclark32]

Love these stories, thanks for sharing!

[Dan S]

Originally Posted by enginerd

Not 50s and probably not 60s. My guess is mid to late 70s if it was born a white dial.

You can study the dial variations here:

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=513941

or here:

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=192774


Yours looks like a MKII or MKIII (close ups would help). Post in the Vintage section and you'll get a lot more info.

Here's my old '79 MK1:

The OP watch is a no-date. A ref 5512, I guess.

(Yours looks great BTW.)

[enginerd]

Originally Posted by Dan S

The OP watch is a no-date. A ref 5512, I guess.

(Yours looks great BTW.)

Wow, that's what I get for posting pre-coffee. I don't think we're allowed to say "no date" anymore anyways.

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=654116

Nothing to see here; carry on.

[Kingface66]

There’s something amiss w that dial. It doesn’t appear to be a service dial, or any of the feet first marks from the way it looks. The hole in the crown looks odd, as does the swiss t<25 placement, which practically against the 6 o’clock marker.

[WBrown999]

Originally Posted by Kingface66

There’s something amiss w that dial. It doesn’t appear to be a service dial, or any of the feet first marks from the way it looks. The hole in the crown looks odd, as does the swiss t<25 placement, which practically against the 6 o’clock marker.

I believe that is the correct coronet design for the 5512 4-liner. Here is a chart detailing coronet changes over the years:

[seattleal]

Originally Posted by Kingface66

There’s something amiss w that dial. It doesn’t appear to be a service dial, or any of the feet first marks from the way it looks. The hole in the crown looks odd, as does the swiss t<25 placement, which practically against the 6 o’clock marker.

And the dash between 'swiss' and 'T' is not centered over the 30 hash mark. Perhaps a redial?

[Kingface66]

Originally Posted by WBrown999

I believe that is the correct coronet design for the 5512 4-liner. Here is a chart detailing coronet changes over the years:

This is an incredibly incomplete and basic chart. It leaves out a lot of variations of many coronets. And besides that, the coronet on the dial you've posted isn't at all like the 5512 4-liner coronet in that chart.

Here are some 5512 (4-line) coronets....including a Bart Simpson, to give you an idea of the varieties.

https://www.hqmilton.com/timepieces/...line-dial-3511

https://www.hqmilton.com/timepieces/...gilt-dial-2106

https://www.hqmilton.com/timepieces/...iner-5512-7299

https://www.hqmilton.com/timepieces/...axi-dial-A1630

https://www.hqmilton.com/timepieces/...nd-papers-5313

[TurboWatch]

The dial has characteristics of a SUBMARINER on top 4 line MAXI type 2, with 5+ million serial range. Need a close up frontal shot of the dial to confirm this.
Nice watch!

[cajuntiger]

oops...duplicate

[seattleal]

Originally Posted by seattleal

And the dash between 'swiss' and 'T' is not centered over the 30 hash mark. Perhaps a redial?

To expand on my previous comment, the only dial where the dash is not centered is the luminova service dial, which also has a crown like the watch the OP posted. See the bottom pic here-

http://www.drsd.com/watch-info/subs-...maxi-dial.html

So it appears the dial is a service replacement, which makes the watch even more interesting - first luminova 5512 I've seen.

Thanks for posting it.

[gasparantonio]

Originally Posted by TurboWatch

The dial has characteristics of a SUBMARINER on top 4 line MAXI type 2, with 5+ million serial range. Need a close up frontal shot of the dial to confirm this.
Nice watch!

Verify the serial number and check the date when the watch was released, or at least the case. Then check the dial, if it is a Mark I, II or III. Finally if the bracelet also has a date engraved for you to check if everything matches and have a coherent vintage watch.

[subtona]

That’s beautiful