QUESTION: Steve McQueen’s Submarine 5512

[VanCityDawg]

Hey guys, question about The King Of Cool’s Ref. 5512 Submarine, which seemed to be his personal favourite throughout his life. It sold at an auction in 2009 and these are the photos of it. I read somewhere it was produced in 1967 but the markings appear to be the year they changed it in 1968. My question is, are those pearl hour markers or the gold/pearl ones that are usually on the pre-1970 5512/5513’s? In the stock photo it looks like pearl, but in the other with Steve’s photo in the background, it looks like the other??

[mattedialdoc]

That is a service dial. The original dial would have been Meters First.


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Instagram: @mattedialdoc

[roh123]

It is a very poor watch if you disregard the provenance.

[Wools]

Originally Posted by roh123

It is a very poor watch if you disregard the provenance.

Really? Is that calibre known to be a bad one?

[twnturbo]

i believe the Craft & Tailored guys own one of his watches i saw on there sight,not sure if it was this one.

[roh123]

Originally Posted by Wools

Really? Is that calibre known to be a bad one?

Calibre? The watch itself has lots of service parts and is very poorly and extensively polished.

Unfortuantely the AQ listing is gone. It sold back in 2009 for 234k. Probably worth much, much more today. Still a poor watch but it is Steve McQueens watch which makes it valuable. Without the provenance such a watch is less than 10k today.

https://www.fratellowatches.com/stev...on-antiquorum/
http://www.antiquorum.com/press-rele...uorum-auction/

[spoilsofwar01]

wow, cool, I've got service replacement dial and hands just like Steve Mc's..... right that's what I'll be telling everyone from now on....

Good enough for Steve, good enough for me! except his is a 4 liner.....

[exador]

Hanhart owners will argue that the Sub wasn’t even his favourite...

[swish77]

Originally Posted by roh123

It is a very poor watch if you disregard the provenance.

It's also got a service insert, I believe, but it's still cool!

[VanCityDawg]

Ahhh this makes sense. Thank you, it was driving me crazy! From what I’ve heard it was produced in 1967, meaning it should have originally been a meters first creamy patina. Ugh I wish everything was photo docutmented in the 1960’s as well as everything is now

[Kingface66]

Originally Posted by VanCityDawg

Ahhh this makes sense. Thank you, it was driving me crazy! From what I’ve heard it was produced in 1967, meaning it should have originally been a meters first creamy patina. Ugh I wish everything was photo docutmented in the 1960’s as well as everything is now

What do you mean “creamy patina”? They all start out white. Some change shades over time, some don’t. An original 1967 dial could still have almost-white lume.

[VanCityDawg]

Originally Posted by Kingface66

What do you mean “creamy patina”? They all start out white. Some change shades over time, some don’t. An original 1967 dial could still have almost-white lume.

Oh. I was under the impression vintage Rolex Subs had yellowish/gold/creamy markers and hands...is that not the case?

[Kingface66]

Originally Posted by VanCityDawg

Oh. I was under the impression vintage Rolex Subs had yellowish/gold/creamy markers and hands...is that not the case?

Ahhh! Up to 1966, when the dials were glassy, the writing was gilt (god) but the markers were white, After 1966, when they changed to matte dials (like, Steve's) both the writing and markers were white. Certainly, over time the markers (and lume on hands) could change color, from cream to deep custard yellow

[VanCityDawg]

Originally Posted by Kingface66

Ahhh! Up to 1966, when the dials were glassy, the writing was gilt (god) but the markers were white, After 1966, when they changed to matte dials (like, Steve's) both the writing and markers were white. Certainly, over time the markers (and lume on hands) could change color, from cream to deep custard yellow

I think you’re confusing dial and bezel, but I see what you mean now. Thanks

[Styles Bitchley]

Originally Posted by roh123

Calibre? The watch itself has lots of service parts and is very poorly and extensively polished.

Unfortuantely the AQ listing is gone. It sold back in 2009 for 234k. Probably worth much, much more today. Still a poor watch but it is Steve McQueens watch which makes it valuable. Without the provenance such a watch is less than 10k today.

https://www.fratellowatches.com/stev...on-antiquorum/
http://www.antiquorum.com/press-rele...uorum-auction/

When you're the King of Cool, you don't give a damn about chamfers, font thickness or patina - you want a reliable tool on your wrist.

[Kingface66]

Originally Posted by VanCityDawg

I think you’re confusing dial and bezel, but I see what you mean now. Thanks

No, I’m not confusing them (though I meant glossy not glassy and gold not god! It’s what I get for typing on a phone). Matte dials and gloss dials both had lume that could yellow over time...but neither started out yellow

[nsxnext]

What's up with the top end link? Almost looks like the bracelet isn't attached.

[swish77]

Originally Posted by nsxnext

What's up with the top end link? Almost looks like the bracelet isn't attached.

Welcome to the world of stretched-out rivet bracelets. That's what happens sometimes.

[mattedialdoc]

Originally Posted by swish77

Welcome to the world of stretched-out rivet bracelets. That's what happens sometimes.

...and it's fabulous!!!!



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