Introduction

The 1950s to the mid 1960s was a golden era for Rolex. Watches produced by the company during this time have captivated the hearts and minds of Rolex collectors for many years. The passion that drives many watch collectors is the desire to find not just older watches, but to search for vintage watches whose dials have been well preserved and protected from the elements and at the same time, have aged in a way that each has taken on a unique patina. Thanks to the introduction by Rolex of it’s patented Oyster case with its improved screw down case back and winding crown, many of these dials have survived today giving collectors much to be happy about.

The dials produced for the Rolex Submariner and GMT during this time are known by collectors as gilt-gloss or gilt/gloss dials.  The term gilt, as applied to these early Rolex dials, refers to both the gold tone of the text as well as other features of the dial.  While many collectors may not feel that the term gilt is appropriate when used in this context, it has stood the test of time, and as any collector with a passion for Rolex dials can tell you, it is a far better description than the names given to identify some other dials. The term gloss describes the mirror like black glossy surface of these dials, which is in contrast to the matte finish which was introduced by dial manufacturers for Rolex watches in the mid 1960s.

  

The manner in which these gilt-gloss dials were produced is very interesting. While some dial manufacturers might paint the text on the colored surface of the dial, those making the dials for the Rolex Submariner and the GMT did so in a way that the gold colored text and features are in relief or below the surface instead of on top. These gold aspects of the dial are actually the brass dial plate and lie underneath a coat of black glossy paint. On top of the black layer of paint, a clear coat of lacquer was then applied . In the case of the very early gilt-gloss dials, it was not uncommon to have lines of silver colored text in addition to the gold colored text. The silver colored text was applied on top of the final clear lacquer coat. Finally, the luminous material that allowed the watch to be read in the dark was applied. The more radioactive radium used for the dial and hands in the 1950s to make them glow was swapped for the less radioactive tritium in the early 1960s.

The way these dials have aged is at the heart of why these watches are so favored by vintage Rolex collectors. Just as no two fingerprints are the same, the same can be said of these early Rolex dials. It is not uncommon for the dials produced in the 1950s to have a darker more orange color to the text on the dial, while many others that were produced later tend to have acquired more lighter shades of gold tone. The difference between the two is likely due to the radium versus tritium used for the luminous material and how the brass dial plate reacted with the chemicals used to prevent corrosion during the manufacturing process. Another beautiful feature of these rare watches is the appearance of the glossy dial in different lighting conditions. The richness of the black high gloss finish of many dials can be readily seen in the sunlight, while other dials exhibit different shades of brown.

  

Another reason these early Rolex models are sought after by enthusiasts is because of the attractive styling of the watch case. As hobbies evolve and collectors become more knowledgeable, it’s common for the emphasis placed on certain aspects of the objects collected to change over time. Vintage watch collecting is no exception. Within the last five or six years, collectors have moved away from the mantra, “It’s all about the dial” and adopted a more progressive maxim, “A great watch starts with a great dial, but doesn’t end there”. Both the Rolex Submariner reference 5512 and its predecessor, the Submariner 6538, share the large chamfers or beveled edge on the lugs of the watch case that are prized by collectors. In recent years collectors have realized that unmolested examples with their sharp cases nearly intact are rare treasures.

                                                                            

The Rolex Submariner reference 5512 was introduced in 1959 and was likely produced until 1980. Early examples were fitted with the calibre 1530 movement, and the improved chronometer rated 1560 movement was introduced a year or so later. The 5512 shared some of the styling features of the earlier Submariners like the outer rotating black bezel that helps to keep track of elapsed time. However, unlike the earlier Submariners, the watch case produced for the 5512 featured crown guards on either side of the winding crown, a feature that remains on the Submariner to this day. The many different gilt-gloss dials combined with the different shaped crown guards are some of the unique features of the 5512 that make this sporty and elegant reference a favorite of vintage Rolex collectors. Understanding the chronology and significance of these early dials is a passion of mine. From a collector’s perspective it is important to be able to evaluate a vintage watch based on its originality and period correctness. Unfortunately, not many collectors have the ability to locate vintage watches from original owners, and because the provenance of other watches is not always clear, understanding the significant changes in the evolution of this Submariner is critical in making sure that the watch has the correct movement and dial.

The following is a brief overview of the 5512 discussing some of the more common and rare gilt-gloss dials and their characteristics as well as a short summary of the different types of crown guards and movements from 1959 to 1966. There are few hard and concrete rules with Rolex during this period, and as such, this overview should NOT be seen as a conclusive authority to check the correctness of your vintage Rolex, but rather a guide to help collectors appreciate the many subtle nuances of the 5512 from the early to mid 60’s.

A warm thank you to Andrew Shear for allowing the pictures from his dial archive for this 5512 review.  Click on each pic for a higher resolution photo in a new window.  

 

1959-1960

  

The earliest dials for the 5512 are often called MK1 dials and can be easily recognized by the shape of the coronet, typically with the last spike on the right extending a bit further down than the other four. The phrase “Old Font” dial, a term often used by Marcello Pisani, was an appropriate description based on the observation that the Mk1 coronet was reminiscent of some of the previous coronets seen on the “Big Crown” Submariners from the 1950s.

During this period there are two different types of dial configurations for the 5512. There is the 2 line version with only the depth rating and “SUBMARINER” printed below it and the 4 line version with

“SUPERLATIVE CHRONOMETER
“OFFICIALLY CERTIFIED”

aka SCOC text , printed below the depth rating and “SUBMARINER”.

The early 5512 Submariner dials have different combinations of silver and gold text ranging from one line of silver and one line gold to three lines of silver and one line gold. The depth rating and SCOC text, when present, is in silver, while “SUBMARINER” is in gold. The silver text has been added on top of the clear lacquer finish of the dial while the gold or gilt text is the brass plate underneath the glossy black finish.

  

A “grail” watch for many 5512 collectors is perhaps one of the earliest versions with

“OFFICIALLY CERTIFIED
CHRONOMETER”

on the dial (above left and right) rather than the more common SCOC text. This is analogous to the “OCC” 1675 GMT from the same time period. (OCC dial graciously contributed by KO.)

When the 5512 was introduced, it housed the 1530 calibre movement. Shortly thereafter, the 1560 calibre movement was introduced. While not a hard and fast rule, the 1530 movement is typically seen in the 2 line dials, while the 1560 movement was placed in the 4 line dials.

5512 Submariner dials from 1959 up to and including 1962 have the characteristic gold tone or gilt connected minute track also known as the chapter ring that spans the circumference of the dial at its periphery.

 

1961-1962

  

During this period collectors can still find both 2 and 4 line versions of the 5512.  The MK1 dials with their characteristic coronet seen during this period typically come in two configurations, a 2 line silver and a 4 line silver. In the 2 line version both the depth rating and “SUBMARINER” are in silver, and in the 4 line version the SCOC text is in silver as well.

In addition to the dials with the MK1 coronet, three more versions with different coronets were introduced during 1961 and 1962. The first dial with its coronet pictured here with longer spikes (below left), the second with its coronet somewhat more round at the bottom with shorter spikes(below right), and the third characteristically called the “tulip” coronet (below left second row). On these dials the 2 line configuration typically has both lines of text in gold and the 4 line versions have the additional two lines of SCOC text in silver.

  

  

It is very uncommon to see a gilt gloss Submariner dial with a connected minute track and an underline (above right), but when these rare dials are found, the case back is often from the fourth quarter of 1962. The significance of the underline will be discussed later.

A unique feature of many of the dials from this period is the “exclamation point” at the bottom of the dial, denoted by a small application of luminous under the 6 o’clock hour marker. The significance of this addition to the dial has been a hotly debated topic in the past. There is some thought that the “exclamation point” might be related to the switch to tritium but the evidence thus far is inconclusive.

As in the previous two years, the majority of the 2 line versions house the 1530 calibre movement while the majority of the 4 line contain the newer 1560 calibre movement.

The dials from this time period continue to display the connected minute track or chapter ring as well.

1963

  

The dial predominately seen in the 5512 from 1963 has a very characteristic coronet that is more broad and more wide at the bottom than in previous years (above left and right). This “classic” coronet will be the most common coronet during the remainder of the gilt-gloss dial production for the Submariners.

  

In addition to this “classic” coronet there is another seldom seen dial (above left) featuring a coronet with a broad base and very long spikes.  While most examples during this period are of the 4 line variety, with the first two lines in gilt text and the second two lines of SCOC text in silver, collectors can still find 2 line versions of the 5512. However, it should be noted that the much less common 2 line version is typically one of the more common dials from 1961-1962.

A unique feature of many of the dials from this period is the “underline” that can be seen in different positions of the dial, typically under the “OYSTER PERPETUAL” text or below the “SUBMARINER” text. Much like the exclamation point, the significance of the underline has been a hotly debated topic in the past. Many collectors feel that the underline, like exclamation point, signified a transition from radium to tritium, while other experts felt it denoted something different.

The 1560 calibre movement powers the 5512 during this time.

Unless the dial is a carry over from an earlier year, the gilt-gloss dials for the Submariner from 1963 do not have the connected minute track around the circumference of the dial.

1964-1965

For the most part the 5512s from this period have the 4 line dial version featuring the “classic” coronet. The first two lines of text are gilt print or gold text and the 2 lines of SCOC text below in silver. The main difference between the 5512 dials from 1964 and 1965 compared to those from 1963 is the absence of the underline in the later dials. In addition, in contrast to the earlier 5512 examples with “SWISS” only at the bottom of the dial, the dials from 1964 and later have “SWISS T<25” printed at the bottom, signifying the use of tritium for the hour markers.

Typically the 1560 calibre movement powered the reference during this time.

 

1966

  

All the gilt-gloss 5512 dials from this year are of the 4 line configuration with the first two lines in gilt text and the second 2 lines in silver. The most common dial for the 5512 during this time continues to be the example featuring the “classic” coronet with its broad base at the bottom. It’s interesting to note however, that there was a dial produced for the 5512 at the very end of the production of gilt-gloss dials known as the “Bart” dial (above right). This example is so named because the coronet, oddly enough, resembles the outline of Bart Simpson’s head.

The bottom of the dial continues to bear the “SWISS T<25” text indicating the use of tritium on the hour markers.

The movement used in these later 5512s is typically the 1560; however, the newer 1570 calibre movement is seen in some of the examples from this year also.

 

Crown Guards

The reference 5512 was the first Rolex Submariner to be produced with crown guards.  These protective features of the watch case are placed above and below the winding crown.  The earliest models produced in 1959 had what have been called square crown guards.  In retrospect, it’s easy to see that Rolex was still experimenting with this new feature because the square crown guards were subsequently changed to the “eagle beak” crown guards (below right).  By 1960 the pointed crown guards (second row left) featured on the 5512 had replaced the “eagle beak” crown guards.  In 1964 the Submariner’s crown guards were changed to the round version, which is the style that we currently enjoy today.