Opinions required Sub 5508 vs 6536 1. New

[gregorpal]

Hi, here again asking for your time and comments / advice (as in my previous thread (Daytona 16520 or Sub 6536 1) but in this case what would you choose between an original 5508 dated II/62 or a 6536/1 with a splendid service glossy dial as described in previous post. Here I go with some pics (the better I could got). Both of them are at the range of usd12k (5508) and usd16k (6536/1)

Many thanks again!

Kind regards

[Dan S]

The dial on that 5508 doesn't give me any joy, personally. Looks like water may have gotten in at some point.

[TuRo]

Is the top a swiss footer gilt exclamation rare and quite valuable if mint... But as Dan says looks like it's got water in and been left to rest on the crown for a goodly time. Might be calibre damage too btw? Of course both are v cheap and at the small crown entry level. If you go either check the bracelet and mid-case engravings and caseback ... Esp as they appear on 7206s which are worth $2k alone if legit!

[swish77]

That gilt dial is a disaster, so big pass on that one.

If you can live with a service dial, the other Sub looks quite nice. The collectibility of it has taken a big hit, but it's still a cool looking vintage Rolex.

[gregorpal]

Thank you, Aaron, I agree, it does not look nice I dare say, but as original compared to the 65361 service dial I had my doubts. Both watches come with a 7206 oyster bracelet. MAny thanks again. Kind regards

[gregorpal]

Thank you Dan, yes, effectively damaged by water, and not very nice tough in hands looks a bit better than pics. Nowdays they say it has a sort of "character" LOL

[gregorpal]

Thank you Paul, apart form the dial damage, watch is fine and no other damage, and yes, 7206 is llegit. Thanks again for you advice. Kind regards

[TuRo]

Originally Posted by gregorpal

Thank you Paul, apart form the dial damage, watch is fine and no other damage, and yes, 7206 is llegit. Thanks again for you advice. Kind regards

Pleasure. I'm swimming against the opinion of my two learned compadres on this one - but at £9-10k if the mid case engravings, 7206, caseback and calibre is ok, I'd probably buy the exclamation gilt warts and all!

As I'm sure my Watchmaker could clean/freshen up that dial, and much of my 53-57 stuff has not dissimilar, imperfect, dials on pieces I picked up for £3-4k a few decades ago.

[KY..]

Originally Posted by TuRo

Pleasure. I'm swimming against the opinion of my two learned compadres on this one - but at £9-10k if the mid case engravings, 7206, caseback and calibre is ok, I'd probably buy the exclamation gilt warts and all!

As I'm sure my Watchmaker could clean/freshen up that dial, and much of my 53-57 stuff has not dissimilar, imperfect, dials on pieces I picked up for £3-4k a few decades ago.

Nice Paul, I was thinking this way myself if the movement checks out for the OP and he is comfortable with it…

[gregorpal]

Thank you Paul, that was my thinking the first time I saw it, if posibble to clean / freshen up the 5508 dial. I will check it with the watchmaker and ask his opinion too. Thanks again!

[Texasjim]

Love these…5508 dial is sweaty, but original to the era. 6536/1 presents better. So, so rare to find these in pristine and original condition, and the prices reflect it. 5508 is slightly larger in size, 6536 is a bit more rare. At these prices, and in these conditions, maybe a restoration may be in order? Greg, good problems to have, having to choose between the two. Hell man, me personally I’d buy both, and figure out what to do with them later….but I’m not the smartest tool in the shed. Have fun amigo, and congrats on the opportunities!

[TuRo]

Originally Posted by gregorpal

Thank you Paul, that was my thinking the first time I saw it, if posibble to clean / freshen up the 5508 dial. I will check it with the watchmaker and ask his opinion too. Thanks again!

BTW the top one has a worn but correct nickel plated brass bezel and a scruffy s/ins - the bottom one has I think a service stainless steel bezel and of course tidier s/insert

Both have chrome plated that can be service tritium hands or possibly original, as the gilt and chrome hands overlapped from late 50s....

Finally as its exclamation its last of the breed and serial should be around the 62xK-990K serials, or about 2-3 years at the start of the 1960s. give or take.....1962 was end of 5508 run, give or take.

[baumare]

Top one also has a Long 5 insert, another drop in the bucket…

[LateLearner]

Second watch’s hands looked curved to my eye. My vote is the flat-hands exclamation option.


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[LateLearner]

OP, Sorry, I meant to include in my previous comment:

Please ask for UV pics of both watches and post here.

Vintage watches merit buying a Geiger. Posting Geiger reading pics adds to the assessment.


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[gregorpal]

Thank you Jim, yes, difficult decision, both of them have someting interesting (always considering price) 5508 original but damaged dial, and 6536 with a splendid service dial (which is not less).

Originally Posted by Texasjim

Love these…5508 dial is sweaty, but original to the era. 6536/1 presents better. So, so rare to find these in pristine and original condition, and the prices reflect it. 5508 is slightly larger in size, 6536 is a bit more rare. At these prices, and in these conditions, maybe a restoration may be in order? Greg, good problems to have, having to choose between the two. Hell man, me personally I’d buy both, and figure out what to do with them later….but I’m not the smartest tool in the shed. Have fun amigo, and congrats on the opportunities!

[gregorpal]

Yes, I'll try to get some pics to post. Thank you!

Originally Posted by LateLearner

OP, Sorry, I meant to include in my previous comment:

Please ask for UV pics of both watches and post here.

Vintage watches merit buying a Geiger. Posting Geiger reading pics adds to the assessment.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk