Sub 5508

[Rylor]

Looking to purchase my first vintage sub! Any thoughts or guidance on this 5508?

Any input is appreciated!

[Andad]

Any more details and pix?

[antrolexsub]

If you post pictures that weren’t taken from a satellite we may be able to help.

[1675-David]

much better pics needed, a big close up of dial at the very least. Fakers love no-date no crown-guard subs their relative simplicity being the attraction. A closer look at the bracelet would be good and some front back and sides of the case including between the lugs (you can block out the last 3 digits of the serial number)

[cascavel]

Don't do it! With vintage subs, you think you're going down a rabbit hole but it's really occupied by rattlesnakes. Get yourself a nice 16610 or 16600 and figure out where you went wrong with them before you lose $50K on a 5508.
On second thought, that watch looks good, you should get it.

[subx]

as above: needs clearer pic of the dial at least.
only this pic shows so far is that bezel insert is not correct for this reference.

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by antrolexsub

If you post pictures that weren’t taken from a satellite we may be able to help.

This did make me chuckle

To the OP, best of luck on your quest. With anything vintage, I’d be first and foremost looking at the seller.

[karleone]

Buying a 5508 as a first vintage Rolex without being an expert is very risky. A very high probability you get fake or aftermarket parts or non period correct. Without considering buying such a vintage piece you need to learn a lot and then buy only from a reputable vintage seller plus getting your watch verified with a lot of pictures by vintage expert.

[Rylor]

all great input (especially the satellite). thank you. I am very sensitive to the counterfeit market...I was going to meet the seller at a Rolex "authenticator"...I have attached a few more pics. Thanks!

[Juhuatai]

Is the seller a private individual or a dealer? A tropical 5508 like this is >50k probably.

Also do 58 endlinks look like that...?

[Dan S]

I have to think that the asking price for a tropic 5508 is in the neighborhood of $50k, so this is a watch the OP really needs to take seriously. There aren't many people I would trust to authenticate it. Counterfeiting isn't the main issue to be concerned about. It's condition, originality, and correctness of all parts, and how they affect value. Takes a lot of study.

[1675-David]

the case appears to be in new condition, apart from the scotch brite finish, the bracelet is very reminiscent of those available from Vietnam, based on these 3 images I would walk away. Much better images are required for a decent appraisal, dial and between lugs. Any serious seller would provide these. "Rolex authenticator" sounds ominous...

[Rylor]

Thank you! I will get better photographs.

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by Dan S

I have to think that the asking price for a tropic 5508 is in the neighborhood of $50k, so this is a watch the OP really needs to take seriously. There aren't many people I would trust to authenticate it. Counterfeiting isn't the main issue to be concerned about. It's condition, originality, and correctness of all parts, and how they affect value. Takes a lot of study.

Exactly … goes back to buying the seller

[saxo3]

Originally Posted by Rylor

Looking to purchase my first vintage sub! Any thoughts or guidance on this 5508?

Any input is appreciated!

Don't do it !!!

[Rylor]

A few more pics.

[offrdmania]

Either something is up or that case is the best 5508 case I have ever seen

[Juhuatai]

How much is the seller asking? Also what year is it?

[cascavel]

Is the orange peel effect on the dial normal for this period?

[antrolexsub]

Fake case, bezel insert and dial. Wrong movement for a 2 line dial.

[Dan S]

Now that we've seen how bad it is, the suspicion turns in a different direction.

[1675-David]

These threads are always a disappointment and follow a sadly predictable pattern. I really hope the OP just dodged a bullet and wasn’t in reality out testing the waters with his latest project.

Originally Posted by Juhuatai

How much is the seller asking? Also what year is it?

Call me jaded but I don’t think there ever was a seller.

[njc313]

Originally Posted by 1675-David

These threads are always a disappointment and follow a sadly predictable pattern. I really hope the OP just dodged a bullet and wasn’t in reality out testing the waters with his latest project.



Call me jaded but I don’t think there ever was a seller.

Wow… didn’t consider that.

[njc313]

Originally Posted by Rylor

Hello, so, I recently purchased a 1966 5513 “meters first” sub. I read that the change from the gilt gloss dialed 5513 to the meters first matte dialed 5513 started around the 1.6 mil serial range. Mine is 1.4 mil serial. It’s my understanding that my purchase was all original. Just looking for some insight... want to make sure my meters first dial is original to my 1.4 mil serial. Any input is appreciated!

So this is your 2nd first vintage sub?

[shammad10]

Originally Posted by njc313

so this is your 2nd first vintage sub?

haha!

[Kingface66]

Originally Posted by njc313

So this is your 2nd first vintage sub?

I think you mean third

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=798837

[subx]

Originally Posted by Dan S

Now that we've seen how bad it is, the suspicion turns in a different direction.

well put

[njc313]

Originally Posted by Kingface66

I think you mean third

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=798837

OP doesn’t mention vintage in that one haha 😂

[swaini3]

Bracelet and insert are aftermarket. Watch out for the rest.

[1665fan]

Yea funny op has disappeared…… probably headed back to grandad to give him Frankenstein watch back lol