A classic sports watch, the Oyster Perpetual Submariner was originally created in 1953 for ocean divers and is resistant to water and corrosion. The early Submariners used gilt printing on glossy black dials displaying their diving depth rating, and some used radium paint on their indices for a luminous glow.
Here is a really nice and clean single, original owner vintage Rolex Submariner reference 5512 from 1967. It is a remarkably clean example for being 48 years old.
Original stainless steel case measures 40mm diameter by 12mm thick. The 5512 has the domed plastic crystal that gives it its unique profile (along with the 5513) and the crystal on this watch is clean. The lugs are nice and fat and uniform in thickness and retain the bevel/third edge. The original screw down Triplock crown is working perfectly. Original bezel with clean replacement insert turns in both directions with the perfect amount of resistance. Serial number 1666XXX dates production to 1967.
Original black dial has the still luminous original tritium/zinc sulfide markers. This phenomena has been well documented and makes this dial and this watch very rare, as no more than 200 so-outfitted watches are thought to exist.
Original movement is the automatically winding Rolex Caliber 1570 with 26 jewels and adjusted to 5 positions and temperature. This movement is a C.O.S.C. Certified Chronometer. The movement is clean and running.
Bracelet is solid link Rolex Oyster. This watch is easily mint condition.
This vintage Rolex Submariner reference 5513 was produced in 1967 and is in mint condition and highly collectable thanks to its grey “ghost” bezel, immaculate case, and meters first dial with original tritium/zinc sulfide markers which still glow.
Original stainless steel case with dimensions of 40mm by 14.3mm thick. Domed plastic crystal. Screw down crown is operating smoothly. Case features its full metal, fat lugs and crisp bevels. Bezel turns smoothly. Serial number 1596XXX indicates a 1967 production date. The ghost bezel looks great!
Original meters first black dial has the still luminous original tritium/zinc sulfide markers. This phenomena has been well documented and makes this dial and this watch very rare, as no more than 200 so-outfitted watches are thought to exist. Dial is mint with original hands.
Original movement is the automatic winding Rolex Caliber 1520 with 26 jewels. The movement is clean and running.
Rolex heavy link Oyster bracelet in mint condition.
This is a rare, very early production Rolex Submariner reference 5513. While reference 5513s abound, the very early 5513s are mostly extinct. Remember that these watches were made for and used by divers. Back in the early 1960s, it would not have occurred to a non-diver to buy or wear a diver's watch. Dive watches were worn by divers and, not surprisingly, many were used to the point where they were simply discarded as being beyond hope of repair. Surely, none of the original owners could have guessed the prices these early watches would go on to command.
This 5513 dates to 1962, per the 765XXX serial number. Everything on this watch is original and mint. The pointed crown guards case still has its full metal, even the original beveled edges are intact. Original bezel still has deep undiminished serrations. Bezel insert is clean and the patina on the bezel pearl matches the dial. 40mm diameter.
The gilt gloss rail track dial is a special and rare artifact and is original and untouched. This dial, and those on other very early 5513s, is the same dial that was used on the earliest reference 5512 Submariners.
The movement is the Rolex automatic caliber 1530 with 26 jewels and is in remarkably pristine condition and running.
Rolex riveted Oyster bracelet in excellent condition.
Almost none of these earliest 5513s survive to this day, and this is a wonderful example of an important vintage Submariner.