Question about serial number and text position 5512

[bayerische]

OK guys, that was a long title.


Today I saw a supposedly 5512.

I don't have a picture of it as I wasn't really comfortable taking one, but I'll try and describe it.

What made me post this and think about the watch is that a friend of mine is in process of maybe buying the watch.

The watch is a 5512, probably. The case stamp was in such a poor condition it was hard to tell, but using a magnifying glass I was able to make out the last digit to a 2.

Anyway.

The watch is really nice, with a white gold index dial, wonderful patina. The white gold dial, probably would mean the dial has been changed from a old style painted maxi dial.

Serial number was also barely noticeable, but I could make out 6 digits total. The first was a 6. So pre million serial? So this could put it in the early 60-ties?

The crown guards were pointy or sharp so to say.
The crown had just the Rolex crown, no dots as in twin or trip-lock.

So the thing that got me a bit suspicious was the fact that between the lugs it said in this order:

5512 (TOP)
REGISTERED DESIGN (BELOW)

and at the other lug:

just the serial at the top. (No writing)

So what I'm trying to ask here is this:

The pictures of the area between the lug on 5512 I've seen here on TRF seem to have the

wording on top and numbers below like this:

REGISTERED DESIGN
5512

Is this always the case, or are there exclusions from this rule?

Thanks if you can help. I would hate to see him burned.

The watch looked really nice, and it's not bought yet. Just this area between the lugs is something that caught my eye.

My friend has a used watch store, so I'm pretty sure he has checked the movement, and I know he can tell if it's real.

[DiamondJack]

I have been looking for an early 5512 from 61 and all the ones I have seen have the 5512 below the REGISTERED DESIGN.

But I don't know if there are any variations on this........

[bayerische]

Originally Posted by DiamondJack

I have been looking for an early 5512 from 61 and all the ones I have seen have the 5512 below the REGISTERED DESIGN.

But I don't know if there are any variations on this........

Exactly my observations...

Hope someone can chime in... Orchi? Buddy?

[mike]

Andreas,

If I'm reading correctly are you saying the dial had white gold surrounds? If so it sounds like a 5513 dial that was used at some point. The 5512 was never issued with WG surrounds and even a service replacement would be matt sans WGs (SWISS luminova).

From the discription I want to say original would have been gilt.

[HL65]

Correct Mike....A pointed crown guard 5512 has gilt dial. As for numbers between lugs- 5512 should be on bottom. I have never seen any variation from that myself over the years. Best of luck to your friend.

[bayerische]

Thank you guys!

Yes he thought it to be a5513 at first, but we both came to the conclusion that the last digit must be a"2"...

Gilt dial would be the original dial for sure... The case could be fake then, or re-stamped? A franken watch perhaps...?

[jedly1]

no there are some reversed on the early ones ...60/61 so i wouldn't dismiss on that basis ..;.

really to comment though we need pics..

huge part of the value would be the dial though and a unreadable serial takes a good 1/3 off too...so ...

[bayerische]

Allright, I think the case is probably all right. Looked at different 5512's for sale at the forum, and I did find one sold by a very respected seller with the number and text inverted.

The dial is obviously changed though.

Thanks so much for your help.