Important Collectors Watches, Pocket ...

New York, Oct 17, 2008

LOT 60

Ref. 5508 James Bond Rolex, Oyster Perpetual, 100m= 330ft, Submariner, Ref. 5508. Made in 1962. Fine, center seconds, self-winding, water-resistant, stainless steel diver?s wristwatch with a stainless steel Rolex Fliplock Oyster bracelet.

USD 10,000 - 15,000

EUR 7,000 - 11,000 / CHF 11,000 - 17,000

Sold: USD 9,600

C. Three-body, polished and brushed, screwed-down case back and crown, graduated bi-directional revolving black bezel for the decompression times. D. Black with luminous round, triangular and baton indexes, outer minute/seconds divisions. Luminous steel skeleton hands. M. Cal. 1530, rhodium-plated, 26 jewels, straight-line lever escapement, monometallic balance, shock absorber, self-compensating Breguet balance spring, index regulator. Dial, case and movement signed. Diam. 38 mm. Thickness 13 mm.


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Grading System
Grade: AA

Very good
Case: 3-12

Good

Worn
Movement: 3*

Good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 3-01

Good

HANDS Original

Notes

Until about 1964, Submariner dials had what is called "gilt" printing. Although still not completely satisfied, Rolex felt this was closer to its vision of the perfect diving watch. Two final experimental shoulderless Submariners were introduced: Ref. 5508, replacing the References 6536 and 6536/1. The new models were equiped with new 1500 series movements; Cal. 1530 and Cal.1560 were used. The Ref. 5508 was guaranteed waterproof to 100m/330ft and was offered with or without the word "Chronometer" on the dial. Production was circa 1958 to 1965. Reference 5508 appeared about 1957-58. This is actually Reference 6536, but with the new 5508 reference number. The reference number was changed in order to give all Submariners 55XX reference numbers, starting in the late 1950s. This lasted through 1990, when the last 55XX models were produced