Feedback on 5512 Purchase

[Kirk]

I am looking to purchase this 1971 5512 from a trusted dealer that I have bought from before. I own 9 Rolex already, but only a couple of vintage pieces purchased long ago. I am hoping that some more knowledgeable folks on here can give me feedback on this watch. I know that vintage Rolex can be a real mine field! I am just looking for feedback on if everything looks decent with this watch. I am looking for a vintage Sub that I can wear in rotation with a 16800 and modern 41mm Subs, so not a safe queen and doesn't need to be perfect.

The end links are 380 with a 9315 bracelet, which appears to be correct. The dial and hands look to match and have the appropriate patina. The bezel pip is cracked, so there's no telling if the bezel insert is original. The case looks polished, but not overly polished. I really need to see the lugs with a loupe to get a better feel for that. The only thing not correct that I could see is the service trip-lock crown. The dealer is asking $18K, no box or papers, recent service, and 1 year warranty. That seems reasonable to me, but not a screaming deal. Thoughts?

[Kirk]

Ughh... I don't know why my photos aren't showing up. Must be because I linked to Google Photos...

https://photos.app.goo.gl/gGAa4TJZRWoh5tZ59

https://photos.app.goo.gl/27xgFPTRPNTRemqn8

https://photos.app.goo.gl/UMLezJCkF4g1zuLk9

https://photos.app.goo.gl/qCPWa5H4zHpk6tNi8

https://photos.app.goo.gl/DkkysA6EyJZCFoD8A

https://photos.app.goo.gl/xNpHYP7RjojszBHw9

[Kirk]

Photos attached....

[Kirk]

And a couple more...

[zapokee]

Jeez, are these 18k already? Seems a bit on the high side.

My gilt 5513 was way less than that. About five years ago, mind...

[RFC]

Watch looks clean to my untrained eye apart from some scratches to the crystal or dial can’t tell. But for far less (about 7k less) I would buy a 4 line 14060M which looks almost identical. Had this one showed more patina it would be another story.

[Juhuatai]

14060 and 5512 identical? Arguably, half the charm of vintage is the no surround matte dials....

[zapokee]

Originally Posted by RFC

Watch looks clean to my untrained eye apart from some scratches to the crystal or dial can’t tell. But for far less (about 7k less) I would buy a 4 line 14060M which looks almost identical. Had this one showed more patina it would be another story.

The 5513 and 14060M have significant differences. Pull up some photos and compare them side by side. That will help you train your eye.

[Kirk]

Agree, it's a pass on the 14060. I have a 16600 Sea Dweller and the two would be too redundant. I'm looking for something without the gold surround indices and with a matte dial. I already have a 16800 matte dial, so a 1680 would be really redundant to that and I hate non-quickset dates. That's what's got me leaning towards the 5512 or 5513.

[Subterranean]

To my untrained eye ,this is a good looking watch.

[Kingface66]

Originally Posted by RFC

Watch looks clean to my untrained eye apart from some scratches to the crystal or dial can’t tell. But for far less (about 7k less) I would buy a 4 line 14060M which looks almost identical. Had this one showed more patina it would be another story.

Huh. I’m not doubting you’re being serious, but you’re talking about two very different watches. And in so many way. A matte dial 5512 is really nothing like a 14060M.

[tropicwatches]

Looks like it's in nice shape. Have you considered a 5513 instead? I think the dial on the 5513 looks a bit cleaner/less busy.

[springer]

Got a few laughs reading a couple of these posts. One guy is comparing prices to five years ago and another compares a 5512/5513 to a totally dissimilar sapphire Sub. keep 'em coming fellas!!!

I don't know if these guys are serious, but Comedy Central, here they come.

Oh, almost forgot. The 5512 seems fairly nice based on the photos.

[MrChamfers]

The watch looks pretty good to me, I see plenty of patina on the markers...I mean it doesn't have the great pumpkin hue patina but still nice.

[hutch300]

Looks decent to me. I recently bought a 1989 5513 and did a lot of shopping. Price is in line with the market with larger dealers. Service is nice but I’d also like to know it passed a pressure test.

[Kirk]

Thanks for the feedback guys, much appreciated. I'm going to look at the watch tomorrow. I was mostly looking for a 5513, but my local dealer just happens to have this 5512. It's maybe not the best price, but there are some other factors here:

1. In the minefield of vintage Rolex it's nice to buy from a trusted dealer. I can have him open the back for me, run it on a time grapher, and pressure test it too - all giving me assurance that I am getting a good watch.

2. I have a Rolex 16710 GMT and Omega Speedy sapphire that I just have never bonded with besides owning both for 3 years. They languish in my safe. Those will be going in trade against the 5512, plus some cash. Selling expensive watches these days can be a real minefield too, so passing them along locally to a good dealer is a plus for me, less hassle, and zero risk.

We'll see how I feel tomorrow after looking at the watch. I've owned a 1972 Explorer 1016 for 20+ years, but I am hard on my watches and have mostly switched to modern Rolex, Omega, and IWC. I am tempted to go back to some vintage on my wrist, but I'm not 100% convinced yet.

[Mark020]

Very nice example IMHO. Price seems ok for a 5512 sold by a dealer

[PVR]

The 5512 is a correct and original watch. Don't know about price, but if you are asking for an authenticity check then you got an original and nice 5512 matte right there.

[Dan S]

I'm not seeing any obvious concerns at first glance. As you know, 5512 examples are significantly less common than 5513s, so comps aren't as easy to find, but it is logical that they would bring a higher price for watches in similar condition. If this is from a professional dealer, the asking price is in the range I would expect.

[Paulie 50]

Originally Posted by RFC

Watch looks clean to my untrained eye apart from some scratches to the crystal or dial can’t tell. But for far less (about 7k less) I would buy a 4 line 14060M which looks almost identical. Had this one showed more patina it would be another story.

No way my friend. A blind man on a galloping horse would be able to see the differences in these Watches. 5512 all day long, all night long, all year long, do i need to go on?👍

[swish77]

Originally Posted by tropicwatches

Looks like it's in nice shape. Have you considered a 5513 instead? I think the dial on the 5513 looks a bit cleaner/less busy.

Perhaps, but a 5512 is a chronometer-rated Sub, unlike a 5513. It's also rarer, and for many, is just cooler. Heck, Steve McQueen wore one! (I'm slightly partial since my 5512 is the vintage Rolex I've owed the longest.)

I'd want to see a UV photo and the movement, but I agree with above that it looks like a solid example. As for price, seems in line with the current nutty market. And what seems expensive today, most likely will seem like a bargain in a year or 10.

[zapokee]

Originally Posted by swish77

Perhaps, but a 5512 is a chronometer-rated Sub, unlike a 5513. It's also rarer, and for many, is just cooler. Heck, Steve McQueen wore one! (I'm slightly partial since my 5512 is the vintage Rolex I've owed the longest.).

It is very cool. I sold my 5512 to fund the purchase of a silver-dial Milgauss 1019. Think I got about 7k for the 5512, which was the going price at the time.

I don't regret it - vintage Milgauss is much more me, and the 1019 is now my daily wearer. But I wish I could have had both...

[Kirk]

Well, thanks for the feedback guys, much appreciated!

I looked at the watch today. It was "okay". The non-crown side of the case was not pictured and was a bit rough (wavy polish) and there was a decent dent in a lug that would take laser welding to make right. Still it was a good example. Side by side with my 16800 there just wasn't enough of a difference to get me too excited. Then the dealer decided to only offer me $10.5K for my 16710 GMT. We originally talked about $12K on the phone. I thought that was just way too low of an offer on a "hot" Rolex reference. So I decided to walk. Overall though it was still a really pleasant experience. The dealer is "Watchworks" in Portland, OR if anyone else is interested. The 5512 is not listed on their site yet. They have a 1655 Explorer II listed that I also looked at and that thing was really cherry and awfully tempting for me.