Question on possible 5512 trade

[hxteacherLA]

Good evening and hoping everyone is safe and in good health!

I had a gentleman offer an original dial sub 5512 (1978 with matte MK2 dial) with a period-correct bracelet for my 18238 Day-Date and was hoping to get some advice. I'll be quite honest that with the many different variations that they had on the 5512 as we as the 5513, I'm not sure if this is original or not. To me, it looks like it could be a service dial but I've also read on the forum that during the latter years in production they could have been one and the same. Any advice or insight that anyone could give would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

[hxteacherLA]

Sorry, forget to mention my 18238 + $2K on my end.

[hxteacherLA]

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Was also offered a 7016/0 with box and papers from '75.

[haven_seeker]

I don’t like that Tudor.

The 5512 is pretty nice. What do you value your 18238 at? Typical dial or exotic? Might as well post a pic of it too

[theflywrist]

Originally Posted by hxteacherLA

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Was also offered a 7016/0 with box and papers from '75.

I'd stay a mile away from the Tudor. Alot that doesn't look right

[hxteacherLA]

Ha Ha....here is a pic of my 18238 which I have really enjoyed. My only issue is it drawing too much attention and being able to wear something on more of a day to day basis. My only concern with the 5512 is if that is a service dial. I brought this up to the gentleman but he insists that its the original.

[overgrower]

What is the serial #? The 5512 Maxi Mark II starts around 5.5 million to the end of production. Also, characteristics of a 5512 Mark II Maxi are Submariner text on top, feet first, f and t not aligned. Slim coronet.

From the pics my interpretation are the "f and t are not aligned" so I'd lean towards service replacement. But could be the picture angle?

And of course, are the plots luminova?

[zapokee]

The "-" in "Swiss-T" on the 5512 is slightly to the right of the six o'clock marker, rather than being central.

I used to have a 5512 with this exact characteristic, and the late great Marcello Pisani opined that it was an early service dial. He was one of the world's leading experts in the field. Sadly missed.

[offrdmania]

Your 18238 with bracelet is worth right around 10-12 grand. On the higher end of that if the bracelet has all its links and the watch has its warranty paper. So it sounds like your trade value is 12-14 grand with your 2 grand added?

[hxteacherLA]

Thanks, everyone for the input. Has anyone ever come across lettering that thin on an old Tudor? I actually really enjoy the old snowflakes but not sure (especially with it having box and papers).

[haven_seeker]

Personally no...but I don’t have a lot of exposure to old Tudors.

Are you leaning toward that versus the 5512?? That 4-liner is an amazing watch to own.

[swish77]

Loupe the dial on the 5512. Are the sixes in "660" slightly open or fully closed? Hard to tell in the photos.

[hxteacherLA]

Good morning from So Cal! They are fully closed.

[swish77]

Originally Posted by hxteacherLA

Good morning from So Cal! They are fully closed.

Then I believe it's a service dial. There are subtle variations between all versions of the 5513/12 dials through the '70s, but the one consistency are open 6s. Some are a little more, with the most open being Maxi 3s, and some a little less, but they should all be open on the original factory dials.

It's been over a decade since I bought my 5512, 3.7 million, but that's my recollection.

[Michael M.]

Originally Posted by swish77

Then I believe it's a service dial. There are subtle variations between all versions of the 5513/12 dials through the '70s, but the one consistency are open 6s. Some are a little more, with the most open being Maxi 3s, and some a little less, but they should all be open on the original factory dials.

It's been over a decade since I bought my 5512, 3.7 million, but that's my recollection.

This is correct. The original Maxi dials for the later production 5512's (1977-79) should have open sixes.

The dial in question is a service dial.

[hxteacherLA]

Thanks, everyone for your advice and input!

[SailingLife]

By chance does the 5512 come with any paper? Even from a service?

[hxteacherLA]

It does not. My preference would be for the Tudor due to box and papers but just not sure on the dial. It seems like the lettering should be thicker? Or am I overthinking it?

[zapokee]

Originally Posted by hxteacherLA

It does not. My preference would be for the Tudor due to box and papers but just not sure on the dial. It seems like the lettering should be thicker? Or am I overthinking it?

5512 trumps the Tudor any day, even if the latter has box and papers.

[haven_seeker]

Originally Posted by zapokee

5512 trumps the Tudor any day, even if the latter has box and papers.

This guy gets it!!

[Michael M.]

The Tudor has a relumed dial and looks to have some deterioration on the dial surface. I would pass on this one, too.

[hxteacherLA]

Thanks for everyone's input. My only issue with the 5512 is the face it has the service dial (although maybe not so much an issue), the pearl is off-center, and the pitting in between the lugs (original owner was a diver). Would this still be something to grab? I'd love to have a 5512 but these were my concerns.

[swish77]

Originally Posted by hxteacherLA

Thanks for everyone's input. My only issue with the 5512 is the face it has the service dial (although maybe not so much an issue), the pearl is off-center, and the pitting in between the lugs (original owner was a diver). Would this still be something to grab? I'd love to have a 5512 but these were my concerns.

Only is it was priced accordingly, either cash or in the trade value.

Nothing wrong with a service dial as long as it doesn't bug you as being non-original to the watch and it's priced accordingly. The watch still will have a cool vintage vibe, especially with that nice rivet bracelet, but from a collector's point of view (and value), the dial is an issue.

Pearl would be a non-issue for me, and the pitting would only be an issue if it has eaten away the reference and/or serial numbers.