The Rolex Forums   The Rolex Watch

ROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEX


Go Back   Rolex Forums - Rolex Forum > Rolex & Tudor Watch Topics > Rolex General Discussion

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 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
Lee is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 20 August 2007, 01:16 AM   #2
Lol-x
Facilitator
 
Lol-x's Avatar
 
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.
Lol-x is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 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?
timebroker is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 20 August 2007, 01:29 AM   #4
mike
"TRF" Member
 
mike's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 22,683
Quote:
Originally Posted by timebroker View Post
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 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 20 August 2007, 01:26 AM   #5
mike
"TRF" Member
 
mike's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 22,683
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lol-x View Post
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--$$$$
mike is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 20 August 2007, 01:32 AM   #6
Tools
TRF Moderator & 2024 SubLV41 Patron
 
Tools's Avatar
 
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..

Tools is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 20 August 2007, 03:00 AM   #7
padi56
"TRF" Life Patron
 
padi56's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Real Name: Peter
Location: Llanfairpwllgwyng
Watch: ing you.
Posts: 53,062
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tools View Post
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
__________________

ICom Pro3

All posts are my own opinion and my opinion only.

"The clock of life is wound but once, and no man has the power to tell just when the hands will stop. Now is the only time you actually own the time, Place no faith in time, for the clock may soon be still for ever."
Good Judgement comes from experience,experience comes from Bad Judgement,.Buy quality, cry once; buy cheap, cry again and again.

www.mc0yad.club

Second in command CEO and left handed watch winder
padi56 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 20 August 2007, 05:02 AM   #8
erasuretim
"TRF" Member
 
erasuretim's Avatar
 
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
erasuretim is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 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.
finance21 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 20 August 2007, 09:46 AM   #10
jac67
"TRF" Member
 
jac67's Avatar
 
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.
jac67 is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

My Watch LLC

WatchesOff5th

DavidSW Watches

Takuya Watches

OCWatches

Asset Appeal

Wrist Aficionado


*Banners Of The Month*
This space is provided to horological resources.





Copyright ©2004-2024, The Rolex Forums. All Rights Reserved.

ROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEX

Rolex is a registered trademark of ROLEX USA. The Rolex Forums is not affiliated with ROLEX USA in any way.