Not Really a Vintage Guy, But...

[Ritch99]

I met with this nice older gentleman the other day as he was interested in a BNIB Hulk or GMT Master II. I brought 3 or 4 watches with me and he immediately latched onto a BNIB Sub C no date. "they sure make them a lot better than they used to." he said.

Then he pulls an older Sub (in the box) out of brief case and asks if I would consider this old Submariner in a trade for the new one. I looked at it and then jumped on my iPhone and did a little research. I informed him that it may be worth more than the new sub is worth, but might need a little work to get it tip top.

In the end we came to a deal, and now I have this old sub. I contacted Larry (Tools) and he suggested, if I wanted someone to look at it and possibly do some work on it, to have Vanessa look at it. Well she was gracious enough to answer my pm and it goes out to her on Monday.

Thanks to both Tools and Vanessa for all of their help...for without their expertise and generous giving of advice, I might have a long road of discovery on my hands.

After a little more research and carefully taking off the bracelet, it is a 5512, 4 liner with original folded bracelet. The serial number is 3,44X,XXX, dating it, according to my understanding to 1971.

The dial looks un blemished with a nice creamy patina...the hands appear to match. It is still running only losing 12 sec a day. I'm thinking a good cleaning and oiling. The bracelet end links are loose and will need a little help from Vanessa. The pearl is missing and the bezel will not rotate easily...all gunked up.

According to this nice old man, original owner, bought it brand new back in the 70's, he said, he never had it polished and only cleaned and oiled 1 time. He had not worn it for over 20 years since then. I'm not an expert but the bottom side of the case still has sharp edges. No major dings or dents at all. The domed crystal might need a polishing or replacing. The bezel insert looks great.

Anyways, I'm not a vintage guy but am very curious to see this piece once Vanessa is finished with it.

Anyone with any expertise on this vintage Sub, please by all means, chime in. Any info on it would be greatly appreciated.

I feel so fortunate to be a member of this forum, a wealth of collective knowledge at all of our finger tips.

Now for some pics, I must apologize for my crappy pics...I used an iPhone, a photographer I am not.

[Oyster99]

Wow, impressive. I love stories like this. Also nice that you told the gentleman whatsup with the price!

[Ritch99]

Yeah he's a real nice guy and I don't want to take advantage. But, he does not care about the money...his main complaint was that he cant see it at night and he loves the new ones. If I end up selling it, I will kick some back to him, or take care of him on his next watch...he's interested in a GMT now. Gotta be fair.

[9*9*3]

Very nice story. Good job treating him right.

[jdmi32]

What a great looking 5512. The case, dial and hands are fantastic. I hope you're only going to have the movement serviced with no polishing, not even to the bracelet. The crystal will almost certainly have to be replaced if you are going to take it anywhere near water. Unfortunately, genuine T19 domes are next to impossible to find but there are sources for service crystals that have been polished down to resemble the shape of the original.

I look forward to seeing the finished product.

[up2nogood]

Mitch, you're a true gentleman.

[Phil t 32]

Originally Posted by up2nogood

Mitch, you're a true gentleman.

How refreshing to read 👏


After 30 years in the waiting.......GMT IIc

[brandrea]

Great story and a fine looking 5512
Great too, that you were honest with him and you both came out winners in the end.

[Ritch99]

Thanks for all of your comments guys, I appreciate it, please keep the info coming from anyone with vintage experience. I will take your advice and no polish. Thanks again.

[Spoonage]

Works out for both of you!

[ADINVA]

Ritch,

Nice trade! I think once one steps on the vintage path, it is hard to get away from it. I am always fascinated by the beauty of vintage rolex. Many of these great pieces are as old if not older than I am, yet keeps amazing time! The craftsmanship, the reliability, the quality are nothing short of amazement.

Enjoy this wonderful find and let it be the envy of many. Congrats!

[Sam Crow]

Aw man, really nice score on your first vintage! It was good enough for Steve Mcqueen. Congrats!

[hdrazor251]

Great story.

Sounds to me like you are both lucky to have found each other.

Can't wait to see the "after Vanessa" pics.

[cht]

Wow, congrats, you came out ahead on this one with the 5512. Nice!

Venessa can help out with end links too? I had always been under the impression she just did movement servicing.
She'd be my go to for internal work as well on a vintage, you can trust she won't mess with the dial and hands like the RSC horror stories we've seen.

If it was mine, after venessa was done with it, I'd have a light polish and brush from RSC and replace the crystal and call it good to breathe a small breath of new life into it go with its new owner (you!)
The tube and crown might need the gaskets replaced for improved water resistance. Venessa should replace the caseback gasket with the service, no?

GOod luck, can't wait to see it all cleaned up!

[nick c]

Great story and beautiful vintage sub

[SearChart]

Great piece, can't wait to see when it has returned from Vanessa.

[Ritch99]

Hey guys, I have located an NOS T19 superdome crystal...still in the package, but the guy wants 750.00 for it. Sounds like a lot, but I cant find another. What do you think? Amy other sources for these?

[ajg1960]

Mitch, you're a class act.

[jdmi32]

Originally Posted by Ritch99

Hey guys, I have located an NOS T19 superdome crystal...still in the package, but the guy wants 750.00 for it. Sounds like a lot, but I cant find another. What do you think? Amy other sources for these?

Post pics of it here and the experts will let you know if it's genuine Lots and lots of aftermarket crystals have been passed off as the real deal. Not saying that is the case here but for that kind of money you want to confirm.

You can also try contacting the guys at ABC Watchwerks to see if they will sell you a Rolex replacement crystal that looks almost exactly like the original.

[Ritch99]

Originally Posted by jdmi32

Post pics of it here and the experts will let you know if it's genuine Lots and lots of aftermarket crystals have been passed off as the real deal. Not saying that is the case here but for that kind of money you want to confirm.

You can also try contacting the guys at ABC Watchwerks to see if they will sell you a Rolex replacement crystal that looks almost exactly like the original.

I will post pics as soon as I get them, thanks much for the advice. I appreciate the contact info for ABC.

[Dr.Smellody]

Very nice!

[omitohud]

Originally Posted by Ritch99

Yeah he's a real nice guy and I don't want to take advantage. But, he does not care about the money...his main complaint was that he cant see it at night and he loves the new ones. If I end up selling it, I will kick some back to him, or take care of him on his next watch...he's interested in a GMT now. Gotta be fair.

👏


I blame it on the autoconnect.

[themaninblack]

Nice. My advice, don't let an RSC near a vintage watch.

[sea-dweller]

Very nice!

[waQstar]

Originally Posted by Ritch99

I will post pics as soon as I get them, thanks much for the advice. I appreciate the contact info for ABC.

I think abc watchwerks custom shapes crystals and the results are awesome, you can try them, they are in la

[Vincent65]

That's a nice one - good story!

[Robbyvm]

i love stories like this one.... they are out there guy's just need to walk into them....

[sechsgang]

You're one of the few gentlemen in this world for sure!

[willang]

Great story and fabulous 5512 score!

[harry in montreal]

The only part I would never buy NOS is a crystal. I have paranoia that it would be dried out and have small cracks. I rather go new if you plan to swim with it. I swim with my 72 tudor sub!