Important Collectors Watches, Pocket ...

Geneva, May 10, 2009

LOT 301

Ref. 5508 Rolex, ?Oyster Perpetual, 100m=330ft, Submariner?, case illegible, Ref. 5508. Made in 1958. Fine, center seconds, self-winding, water-resistant, stainless steel diver?s wristwatch with stainless steel Rolex Oyster bracelet.

CHF 5,000 - 7,000

USD 4,400 - 6,000 / EUR 3,300 - 4,600

Sold: CHF 10,200

C. Three-body, polished and brushed, screwed-down case back engraved ?Roberto Alcaide?and crown, graduated bi-directional revolving black bezel for the decompression times. D. Black with painted luminous round, triangular and baton indexes, outer minute/seconds track. Luminous steel skeleton hands. M. Cal. 1530, rhodium-plated, 25 jewels, straight-line lever escapement, monometallic balance, shock absorber, self-compensating Breguet balance spring, index regulator, ?Butterfly? rotor. Dial, case and movement signed. Diam. 38 mm. Thickness 13 mm. Approx. overall length 180 mm.


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Grading System
Grade: AA

Very good
Case: 3

Good
Movement: 3-7*

Good

Oxidized

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 3-33-07

Good

Restored

HANDS Replaced

Notes

Until about 1964, Submariner dials had what is called "gilt" printing; Rolex considered this closer to its vision of the perfect diving watch. Two final experimental shoulderless Submariners were introduced: Ref. 5508, replacing Ref. 6536 and Ref. 6536/1. The new models were equiped with new 1500 series movements, Cal. 1530 and Cal.1560 were used. Ref. 5508 was guaranteed waterproof to 100m/330ft; it was offered with or without the word "Chronometer" on the dial. Production was circa 1958 to 1965. Ref. 5508 appeared about 1957-58. This is actually Ref. 6536, but with the new 5508 reference number. The number was changed to give all Submariners 55XX reference numbers, as of the late 1950s. This lasted through 1990, when the last 55XX models were produced.