5508 James Bond Sub Thoughts

[LJubel328]

Came across this James Bond 5508 from 1958 (serial #3*****). I've haven't necessarily been keeping an eye out for one of these, but seems like a pretty decent price, $21,000.

A local dealer has it in my city and plan to take a closer in-depth look this weekend, but prior to checking it out thought to ask some of the experts on thoughts of condition.

[rumahrolex]

service dial?

[stmoore]

Service dial, hands. Plus the insert (mk3.1) has had a sapphire pearl installed. Disaster.
No original chamfer. Spring bars protruding.
Lastly, I am not sure that’s a 5508. Case shape seems to differ from mine, but at this point it matters not.

Save your money.

[Pete17]

21k?

If it’s too good to be true..........

Don’t touch it.


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[LJubel328]

Originally Posted by stmoore

Service dial, hands. Plus the insert (mk3.1) has had a sapphire pearl installed. Disaster.
No original chamfer. Spring bars protruding.
Lastly, I am not sure that’s a 5508. Case shape seems to differ from mine, but at this point it matters not.

Save your money.

Ya, the chamfers are what threw me off (along with a few other things) and that was my main concern. Appreciate the input

[benderschweiz]

Originally Posted by stmoore

Service dial, hands. Plus the insert (mk3.1) has had a sapphire pearl installed. Disaster.
No original chamfer. Spring bars protruding.
Lastly, I am not sure that’s a 5508. Case shape seems to differ from mine, but at this point it matters not.

Save your money.

What are you looking for in the hands that let you know they're service?

[frackas]

[QUOTE=LJubel328;9488120]Came across this James Bond 5508 from 1958 (serial #3*****).

James Bond did in fact wear a 6538, not a 5508. A beautiful reference nonetheless.

[Tom1675]

Run from this at all costs.

[knm]

I suggest you be very careful.

[SubKing]

OP has not provided enough pictures to make a fair determination of the entire watch.

From what i can see, it looks like an honest service example of a 5508.

early 70's dial and hands.

The insert is not correct but that is an easy fix. Mk3 inserts can be found.

It is very common for more recent replacement spring bars to stick out from the goose beak lugs on older 50's cases. Polished, yes; but they are not over polished.

If you can work out a fair price, I don't think it's a bad piece at all.

I would look to see pictures of the reference and serial, as well as movement and case back. Then I can tell you 100% it is all original (aside from dial, hands and insert which are later service replacements)
Majority of vintage, especially pieces of this age, require a little TLC when found.

[Juhuatai]

This is from TheRealReal. Low chance of getting a movement shot, i don't think they have a way of opening the caseback. Also not sure if they will allow him to remove the bracelet. 21,000 seems high for a full service example, but with the way prices are moving, who knows.

[benderschweiz]

Originally Posted by SubKing

early 70's dial and hands.

What are you looking for in determining whether the hands have been replaced vs. original? I've seen service hands that have a shorter minute hand. This one looks like it's to the chapter ring though. Lack of corrosion?

[Nalk7]

It seems legit to me, my 5508 has a service dial that looks like that one, as for the case it just looks a bit polished. 21k does seem like a lot for it as most of the value on vintage watches comes from the dial being original. I didn’t mind mine having a service dial as I use it frequently and Im able to enjoy it without fear of something happening to it. I honestly have no idea what service dial 5508’s are going for these days but if you can get it at a reasonable price I’d go for it.


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