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Lee · 20 August 2007, 12:46 AM

Hi all, my name is Lee. As a new member here i have learned quite a bit and my new found fascination with Sub's has become an obsession. I am on a honorable quest to completely restore my dad's 5512.
My only road block at the momment is that I cannot get a precise answer as to the vintage of the watch. It is a 1.5 mil.
I have people telling me 1962 and some saying 1967.

I have found date charts that also contradict each other.

Any vintage guru's that can tell me how old it is so that I know were to begin. The two dates obviously had different dials and I just don't want to get off on the wrong foot.
Thanks everyone and keep the great posts coming, LW

Lol-x · 20 August 2007, 01:16 AM

A 1.5 million serial number is to my reckoning the fourth quarter of 1965.

timebroker · 20 August 2007, 01:23 AM

As far as I know (correct me if I am wrong people), Rolex re-used numbers in the past?

mike · 20 August 2007, 01:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by timebroker

As far as I know (correct me if I am wrong people), Rolex re-used numbers in the past?

Roughly 1954 when they hit one million.

mike · 20 August 2007, 01:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lol-x

A 1.5 million serial number is to my reckoning the fourth quarter of 1965.

LOL! Steve I've would have said 66.

The best way would be to have the watch opened and see what is on the inside of the case back. Serial number dating is a bit of an educated guess as when the case was made and the final assembly of the watch can vary a bit.

Either way, I would say you should be looking for a gilt dial 4 line possibly with enclosed minute track--$$$$$

If you really feel it's a 62 vintage (that ser. no. is a bit early) 2 line, enclosed minute track--$$$$

Tools · 20 August 2007, 01:32 AM

Lee,

Clearly you have a mid-sixties 5512 but pinning down it's actual assembly date - and it's market date, witihout some corroborating paperwork might prove impossible

Assuming that you have the actual, correct dial and hands, I'm not sure you would want to do any more than a good cleaning.

Some "restorers" want to go for the original factory fresh look, and while that is nice, it may decrease the collectible value of this treasure.

I advise that you proceed with caution...

Great watch....I'm looking for a nice 5512 or 5513..

padi56 · 20 August 2007, 03:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tools

Lee,

Clearly you have a mid-sixties 5512 but pinning down it's actual assembly date - and it's market date, witihout some corroborating paperwork might prove impossible

Assuming that you have the actual, correct dial and hands, I'm not sure you would want to do any more than a good cleaning.

Some "restorers" want to go for the original factory fresh look, and while that is nice, it may decrease the collectible value of this treasure.

I advise that you proceed with caution...

Great watch....I'm looking for a nice 5512 or 5513..

Good advice there any vintage watch you could seriously damage its value with any change from original so be very careful

erasuretim · 20 August 2007, 05:02 AM

HI!

I think that Rolex from that time had the date of manufacture engraved on the inside of the case back. It was comprised of 3 numbers the first is either a 1,2,3,4 denoting which quarter of the year the watch was made then a dash then the year eg 67 meaning 1967.

On my vintage OP [1005] has 1/67 meaning earlier this year it celebrated its 40th birthday!!

Regards

Tim

finance21 · 20 August 2007, 01:29 AM

LOL-x is spot on with that date. One thing I have learned when dealing with Rolex is that nothing is an exact science.

Keep on top of that 5512, those are amazing watches and they are becoming very scarce.

jac67 · 20 August 2007, 09:46 AM

Sound like a definite keeper.

I agree also with date, all those date charts are fine, but not an exact science.

I would take it to Rolex or fax Rolex Geneva. They may give you the manufacture date. I have done this with a 1665 Sea-Dweller as well as a 16610 Submariner, and they responded back.

Hows about a picture or two?

John.

20 August 2007, 12:46 AM	#1
Lee Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Slidell,La Posts: 18	1962 or 1967? Hi all, my name is Lee. As a new member here i have learned quite a bit and my new found fascination with Sub's has become an obsession. I am on a honorable quest to completely restore my dad's 5512. My only road block at the momment is that I cannot get a precise answer as to the vintage of the watch. It is a 1.5 mil. I have people telling me 1962 and some saying 1967. I have found date charts that also contradict each other. Any vintage guru's that can tell me how old it is so that I know were to begin. The two dates obviously had different dials and I just don't want to get off on the wrong foot. Thanks everyone and keep the great posts coming, LW

20 August 2007, 01:16 AM	#2
Lol-x Facilitator Join Date: Nov 2005 Real Name: Steve Location: Omnipresent Posts: 33,587	A 1.5 million serial number is to my reckoning the fourth quarter of 1965.

20 August 2007, 01:23 AM	#3
timebroker "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Real Name: Filip Location: Belgium Posts: 1,619	As far as I know (correct me if I am wrong people), Rolex re-used numbers in the past?

20 August 2007, 01:32 AM	#6
Tools TRF Moderator & 2024 SubLV41 Patron Join Date: May 2007 Real Name: Larry Location: Mojave Desert Watch: GMT's Posts: 43,514	Lee, Clearly you have a mid-sixties 5512 but pinning down it's actual assembly date - and it's market date, witihout some corroborating paperwork might prove impossible Assuming that you have the actual, correct dial and hands, I'm not sure you would want to do any more than a good cleaning. Some "restorers" want to go for the original factory fresh look, and while that is nice, it may decrease the collectible value of this treasure. I advise that you proceed with caution... Great watch....I'm looking for a nice 5512 or 5513..

20 August 2007, 05:02 AM	#8
erasuretim "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: cranfield, uk Watch: 14060m Posts: 251	HI! I think that Rolex from that time had the date of manufacture engraved on the inside of the case back. It was comprised of 3 numbers the first is either a 1,2,3,4 denoting which quarter of the year the watch was made then a dash then the year eg 67 meaning 1967. On my vintage OP [1005] has 1/67 meaning earlier this year it celebrated its 40th birthday!! Regards Tim

20 August 2007, 01:29 AM	#9
finance21 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: U.S.A Posts: 363	LOL-x is spot on with that date. One thing I have learned when dealing with Rolex is that nothing is an exact science. Keep on top of that 5512, those are amazing watches and they are becoming very scarce.

20 August 2007, 09:46 AM	#10
jac67 "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Real Name: John Location: Australia Watch: Me Posts: 1,950	Sound like a definite keeper. I agree also with date, all those date charts are fine, but not an exact science. I would take it to Rolex or fax Rolex Geneva. They may give you the manufacture date. I have done this with a 1665 Sea-Dweller as well as a 16610 Submariner, and they responded back. Hows about a picture or two? John.

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