Clueless--Vintage 5508 (I think) help please

[xcuseme96]

Reading about that ebay watch must have sent everyone to their closets to search for buried treasure. Mine is this..... IT was my father's watch. It was purchased in the early 1960's when he was in the Marine Corps. I believe it is a military issue 5508. I would love some more information on the watch and someone to give me a ballpark figure of what it is worth. Thanks for your time!

[lupus]

Pics.

[xcuseme96]

I thought I did. I'll try again. I hope this works.

[xcuseme96]

Good.

[HL65]

It is hard to tell--I think the military issue ones were 6536-1's--which look identical to 5508's-both small crowns. As for value-it depends-I can't see your dial too clearly-and the bottom of it as well. I would keep it as it has a lot of meaning-enjoy it--that is value that can't be made up with money!!!

[xcuseme96]

Thanks, does this pic help???

[HL65]

Very nice!! Again---Cherish it and keep it as it is a family heirloom!!!!

[Nicko]

Originally Posted by SteelerFan1965

Very nice!! Again---Cherish it and keep it as it is a family heirloom!!!!

x2

[Cannop]

Would you end it now for $150? ......... ooops wrong webpage!

[xcuseme96]

Sure I'll end it for $150 ... but shipping will be like $9850!!!

[Racer X]

Originally Posted by xcuseme96

Sure I'll end it for $150 ... but shipping will be like $9850!!!

If it's legit, it's worth a lot more than $10k.

[Frogman4me]

Very nice piece, keep it and take good care of it!

[xcuseme96]

It's legit. Got a great story too.

[ParisDakarBmw]

Is there any way tp post pictures of the bracelet, caseback, buckle, as well as the movement? The inside should be marked on the movement, and caseback.

This would really help identify the watch.

Also get pictures of the inside of the lugs without the bracelet on. Those numbers are also important.

[xcuseme96]

I believe it is a 5508. I've compared pictures and the 6536-1 has a more tapered ring around the face. The 5508 is more straight in. I also have found some numbers when I removed the band It is a pair of numbers. I can't make out the top but the bottom appears to have a 4XXXXXX or something like that. I need a magnifying glass to see better but I don't have one.

[xcuseme96]

I've removed the bracelet (sorry I'm a newbie should have not referred to it as a "band") It is definately a 5508, it says so on the case. I cannot read the top number on the casing but the bottom definately says 400100 on the side opposite the 5508. The case back is plain I'll get pics of the crown and buckle. I know the bracelet is not the original. My father wore this watch from when he got it to his passing in 1995. It survived Jungle warfare, two years in the White House, and 30 years on the farm. The old bracelet wouldn't have lasted. Thanks for all your help I am finding this fascinating.

[Yazo]

Curious to see where this goes.....

[STEELINOX]

Two years in the White House, hmm very interesting...

[stevemulholland3]

Unfortunately your 5508 has a later service dial installed which dramatically decreases the value..if it had the original gilt dial you would be looking at 10 to 12k..
But with the service dial in my opinion it's worth maximum 7k (fair market value)..you would see this in a retail setting for between 8 and 9k assuming there isnt any provenance,etc..

[jedly1]

what steve said ....

and for millitary issue ..the watch needs to have been supplied free of charge by the millitary...(then usually nicked by the recipient)... watches purchased by owners themselves whilst also being in service are not the same thing.

usually military provenenace adds to value ..both in its charm and story ..but also most importnantly because often the specification differs to that available for normal purchase by any old memeber of the public... like the a6538 or the 5517..which have both unique model numbers and special non civillian faetures...


nice watch all the same ..cant go far wrong with family pieces !!

[Nicko]

Originally Posted by Yazo

Curious to see where this goes.....

Hummmm, me too... Lot's of old dresser drawers being searched thanks to out friend Bob...

[xcuseme96]

Alright.... Here's the full story (in short).... My father spent his first years after graduating from Notre Dame as a LT in the Marine Corps eventually ending up as a Jungle Warfare trainer in Malaysia. From there he moved to the White House as a Military Liason (aide) where he performed various services for the chief of staff under Lyndon Johnson. He then moved on to Georgetown Law School where, as an RA for his two years, he was in charge of the floor of one Jefferson Davis Clinton. He then returned to his hometown became a lawyer and eventually an assistant DA, while maintaing the 80+ acres of the family farm as a gentleman farmer until his passing in 1995. The watch never left his wrist.

Thanks for the info on the watch and for letting me give you a small glimpse into the man who was my father.

[Nicko]

great story, thanks for sharing!

P.S. Keep the watch!

Originally Posted by xcuseme96

Alright.... Here's the full story (in short).... My father spent his first years after graduating from Notre Dame as a LT in the Marine Corps eventually ending up as a Jungle Warfare trainer in Malaysia. From there he moved to the White House as a Military Liason (aide) where he performed various services for the chief of staff under Lyndon Johnson. He then moved on to Georgetown Law School where, as an RA for his two years, he was in charge of the floor of one Jefferson Davis Clinton. He then returned to his hometown became a lawyer and eventually an assistant DA, while maintaing the 80+ acres of the family farm as a gentleman farmer until his passing in 1995. The watch never left his wrist.

Thanks for the info on the watch and for letting me give you a small glimpse into the man who was my father.

[CaveDiver]

Originally Posted by jedly1

what steve said ....

and for millitary issue ..the watch needs to have been supplied free of charge by the millitary...(then usually nicked by the recipient)... watches purchased by owners themselves whilst also being in service are not the same thing.

usually military provenenace adds to value ..both in its charm and story ..but also most importnantly because often the specification differs to that available for normal purchase by any old memeber of the public... like the a6538 or the 5517..which have both unique model numbers and special non civillian faetures...


nice watch all the same ..cant go far wrong with family pieces !!

Hi Jed,
I thought it might be a service dial but it does look a little different from what I thought was a service dial. Were there variants in service dials? Did any 5508 come with a “Swiss - T ..” instead of “SWISS”. I thought this was a service dial but may be wrong again?
Thanks



To the owner, the watch looks nice. Keep it and wear it in memory. Welcome to the forum.

[stevemulholland3]

I know of at least three varients for service dials..and likely there are more..
all originals will be SWISS only

[HL65]

It is a service dial-but again--it should have a lot of meaning so keep it in the family!!

[Mr. Greene]

keep it, if ou let it go you will kick yourself later.

[xcuseme96]

Don't worry, I"m keeping it. If I could get 66k for it I'd have to think a little longer before answering that question!

[harry in montreal]

Insure it adequately whatever you do. it costs a couple hundred a year and you can wear it and enjoy it. however, i have a lot of trouble wearing my late grandfather's watch due to its sentimental value. and its only a $1.5k lecoultre. enjoy! harry

[Dan Pierce]

What a family heirloom. Might be best to document the history w/ photos showing it's use over the years so the story is not lost for future family members.
dP