Please take a look at this no crown sub and some thoughts

[KevGoo]

Hi guys
Can anyone take a look at this sub and let me know about the period - dial, bezel etc. any input helps!
Thank you in advance!!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[vintagewatch]

It could be a 6204, 6202, 6536, 6508 (James Bond). It's hard to tell (for me at least) which particular model it is. You should take the band off to see the case reference and serial number to determine approximate year of production. This information will allow for more informed opinions of the watch.

[KevGoo]

Originally Posted by vintagewatch

It could be a 6204, 6202, 6536, 6508 (James Bond). It's hard to tell (for me at least) which particular model it is. You should take the band off to see the case reference and serial number to determine approximate year of production. This information will allow for more informed opinions of the watch.

Does this look authentic?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[vintagewatch]

It looks like a real Submariner, however I would not render an opinion as to the components (movement, bezel insert, dial, hands, etc.) being original to the watch without more pictures along with the case reference and serial number (partial ok) which are located between the lugs.

[KevGoo]

Originally Posted by vintagewatch

It looks like a real Submariner, however I would not render an opinion as to the components (movement, bezel insert, dial, hands, etc.) being original to the watch without more pictures along with the case reference and serial number (partial ok) which are located between the lugs.

It is serial is 400k/1958 according to the owner.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[themaninblack]

It has a crown! But no crown guards. Looks like a later 5508, exclamation mark but with that case number, hmm? Not quite right. Maybe some service parts, maybe some lume repair? Need to see the case back. Looks to gave a genuine tropic 16 crystal which is a good feature but just a single photo can be a deceptive thing. For example the crystal has many scratches and crazes that can distort the features on the dial in close ups.

[Mike Wood]

Looks like a very nice 1958-ish Rolex Submariner ref. 5508 with original gloss gilt print exclamation point chapter ring dial with silver depth rating. Hands are nicely matched to the dial markers. Bezel insert appears to be slightly later service replacement. Case looks good, bracelet ditto; what's not to like?

No alarm bells ringing for me!

MW

[KevGoo]

Here is another picture of the dial


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[KevGoo]

Originally Posted by themaninblack

It has a crown! But no crown guards. Looks like a later 5508, exclamation mark but with that case number, hmm? Not quite right. Maybe some service parts, maybe some lume repair? Need to see the case back. Looks to gave a genuine tropic 16 crystal which is a good feature but just a single photo can be a deceptive thing. For example the crystal has many scratches and crazes that can distort the features on the dial in close ups.

Does it appear to have some lime repair?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[fmc000]

Originally Posted by KevGoo

Does it appear to have some lime repair?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

You got an answer from Mike Wood, you really couldn't ask for more.

[linesiders]

Originally Posted by fmc000

You got an answer from Mike Wood, you really couldn't ask for more.

^^^^^ This

[themaninblack]

Indeed but the OP may have no idea who Mike Wood is!

Anyway the dial looks excellent but it has always been a bit of an anomaly that a relatively small number of Rolex 5508's with 1958 markings have exclamation dials when there is a general consensus that these dials were not manufactured until about 1962. That means perhaps that either Rolex released a batch of old cases with old case numbers at a much later date or the original dials were swapped out perhaps in certain markets. Mike might know an alternative reason.

[roh123]

The exclamation dot kind of puts it later in my mind but with Rolex you never know. My guess would be that it went in for a service around 1962 and got a new dial and hands. Insert is obviously much later than that.

In the early 60’s there was a lot of talks about radiation and I believe a lot of watches got new dial and hands as Rolex tried to comply with the new radiation standards.

Looks like a very nice piece.

[Vincent65]

Originally Posted by KevGoo

Here is another picture of the dial

Beautiful

[Autavian]

Originally Posted by KevGoo

Here is another picture of the dial


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

This should be a 1961/62 5508

[Autavian]

Originally Posted by Mike Wood

Looks like a very nice 1958-ish Rolex Submariner ref. 5508 with original gloss gilt print exclamation point chapter ring dial with silver depth rating. Hands are nicely matched to the dial markers. Bezel insert appears to be slightly later service replacement. Case looks good, bracelet ditto; what's not to like?

No alarm bells ringing for me!

MW

Mk2 ff actually works for a exclamation dial and is not a later service replacement. 1958 is too early for exclamation dial. 1958 cases start at 488 serials. This is a bit later.

[stmoore]

Originally Posted by Autavian

Mk2 ff actually works for a exclamation dial and is not a later service replacement. 1958 is too early for exclamation dial. 1958 cases start at 488 serials. This is a bit later.

This. What he said. 400 is no go with this dial.

I have a twin to this watch and it's a 763k (~1962) with a long 5 MK2. Exclamation has a fairly short run, 400k is simply too early.

[goin camping]

Can someone explain the "Exclamation point Dial" to me?

Here to learn and appreciate all of you guys that know so much. Thanks.

[roh123]

Originally Posted by goin camping

Can someone explain the "Exclamation point Dial" to me?

Here to learn and appreciate all of you guys that know so much. Thanks.

Believed to be a mark Rolex used to show that the lume has lower radiation. Something they used on the last chapter ring dials before moving on to the underline which probably show the switch from radium to tritium.

[Kingface66]

Originally Posted by roh123

Believed to be a mark Rolex used to show that the lume has lower radiation. Something they used on the last chapter ring dials before moving on to the underline which probably show the switch from radium to tritium.

Specifically, the 6 o'clock marker has a dot below it, making it resemble an exclamation mark.

[Filipão]

That's precisely my 5508 (#762.XXX)

[linesiders]

Some later ones DO have the Exclamation Dial. Perhaps if an earlier serial, dial was swapped out for Tritium -v- Original Radium

[GeoffIsringhausenJr.]

It’s commonly accepted that exclamation should be a 61-62 however there is a late batch of high radium 1950’s exclamation 5508’s. I know of 3 like this not counting the watch from the OP bought from original owners. I bought this watch from the original owner in 2013 and they said they never had it serviced https://instagram.com/p/d3GUeTgFIN/

[stmoore]

Originally Posted by GeoffIsringhausenJr.

It’s commonly accepted that exclamation should be a 61-62 however there is a late batch of high radium 1950’s exclamation 5508’s. I know of 3 like this not counting the watch from the OP bought from original owners. I bought this watch from the original owner in 2013 and they said they never had it serviced https://instagram.com/p/d3GUeTgFIN/

Maybe they never had it serviced, but they did have the insert changed - so it visited an AD at some point.