Reference:5508 - Revision history

Klaudiusz: Deep prose and structure audit: tighten bezel, movement and auction wording; canonicalize headings

2026-09-29T07:58:41Z

Deep prose and structure audit: tighten bezel, movement and auction wording; canonicalize headings

Klaudiusz: Remove dealer name from body prose

2026-09-29T01:30:43Z

Remove dealer name from body prose

← Older revision		Revision as of 01:30, 29 September 2026
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	Period-correct delivery bracelets on the 5508 split across three references depending on year and option. The earliest examples ship with the 6251H riveted Oyster (Bonhams Feb 2018, 1959 example with clasp 2/68 marking a service event but original-style fitment). The 7206 fixed-link riveted Oyster is the period-correct mainstream fitment — Bonhams Dec 2023 lot 38 documents a 1958 example with clasp 4/69, and Phillips Hong Kong 2019 lot 881 documents the 1962 fitment with end-link 64. The 6636 expandable riveted Oyster is the third documented original-delivery option — Phillips Geneva XV 2022 lot 160 (1962, clasp 4/64) and Phillips Geneva NINE 2019 (riveted Oyster with deployant clasp 1/58) anchor the 6636 fitment.		Period-correct delivery bracelets on the 5508 split across three references depending on year and option. The earliest examples ship with the 6251H riveted Oyster (Bonhams Feb 2018, 1959 example with clasp 2/68 marking a service event but original-style fitment). The 7206 fixed-link riveted Oyster is the period-correct mainstream fitment — Bonhams Dec 2023 lot 38 documents a 1958 example with clasp 4/69, and Phillips Hong Kong 2019 lot 881 documents the 1962 fitment with end-link 64. The 6636 expandable riveted Oyster is the third documented original-delivery option — Phillips Geneva XV 2022 lot 160 (1962, clasp 4/64) and Phillips Geneva NINE 2019 (riveted Oyster with deployant clasp 1/58) anchor the 6636 fitment.

	The 9315 folded-link Oyster is a later replacement rather than a period 5508 delivery fitment in the cited records. A 9315 on a 5508 should therefore be treated as a service or later replacement until its provenance shows otherwise. ~~RolexHaven~~ dates reference-number stamps on the largest rivet link to 1962; an unstamped bracelet may predate that change, but the clasp and end links still need separate checks. Clasp date codes are the cleanest single-component dating tool: a clasp dating later than the case head implies a swap or service-era replacement.		The 9315 folded-link Oyster is a later replacement rather than a period 5508 delivery fitment in the cited records. A 9315 on a 5508 should therefore be treated as a service or later replacement until its provenance shows otherwise. The cited bracelet reference dates reference-number stamps on the largest rivet link to 1962; an unstamped bracelet may predate that change, but the clasp and end links still need separate checks. Clasp date codes are the cleanest single-component dating tool: a clasp dating later than the case head implies a swap or service-era replacement.

	A 1962 example is documented with a period presentation box. That lot does not establish how often original packaging survives.		A 1962 example is documented with a period presentation box. That lot does not establish how often original packaging survives.

Klaudiusz: Correct technical data and deepen evidence follow-up

2026-09-29T01:30:17Z

Correct technical data and deepen evidence follow-up

← Older revision		Revision as of 01:30, 29 September 2026
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	{{DISPLAYTITLE:Rolex 5508 Submariner}}		{{DISPLAYTITLE:Rolex 5508 Submariner}}
	{{#seo:		{{#seo:
	\|title=Rolex Submariner 5508 (~~1957–1961~~) — ~~Production & Dial Guide~~ \| Rolexopedia		\|title=Rolex Submariner 5508 (1958–1962) — Reference guide \| Rolexopedia
	\|description=~~The~~ 5508 is the last small-crown 100m Submariner without crown guards. ~~1958–62~~ production, caliber 1530 ~~(jewel progression 17→25→26)~~, ~~four-line SCOC~~ and exclamation ~~dial branches~~, ~~period-correct 6636 / 7206 / 6251H bracelets~~.		\|description=Reference 5508 is the last small-crown 100m Submariner without crown guards. This guide covers its c.1958–1962 production, caliber 1530 variants, gilt and exclamation dials, and documented bracelet fitments.
	\|keywords=Rolex, 5508, Submariner, specifications, small crown, exclamation dial, James Bond		\|keywords=Rolex, 5508, Submariner, specifications, small crown, exclamation dial, James Bond
	\|image=Ref 5508 hero 3.webp		\|image=Ref 5508 hero 3.webp
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	\|-		\|-
	\| depth rating		\| depth rating
	\| 100m / ~~660ft~~, two-line layout (some 1959 onward four-line "Superlative Chronometer Officially Certified" variants documented)		\| 100m / 330ft, two-line layout (some 1959 onward four-line "Superlative Chronometer Officially Certified" variants documented)
	\|-		\|-
	\| crystal		\| crystal
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	Use case-back date codes alongside serials when assigning a build year — Rolex date-coded casebacks separately from serials. Phillips Geneva NINE 2019 lot 213 (case 361,650, "circa 1958") and Bonhams Feb 2018 lot 24627/98 (1959, 6251H rivet bracelet) anchor the launch period; Sotheby's Watches Online 2020 lot 37 (case 489,831, circa 1959) and Antiquorum Geneva 2020 lot 333-422 (case 490,575, circa 1958) populate the early-band cluster. The late cluster sits in the 762k–764k band: Phillips Hong Kong SPORTS 2019 lot 881 (case 762,896, II.62 caseback), Antiquorum Forte Dei Marmi 2021 (case 764,122, 1962), Antiquorum Monaco 2024 (case 764,196, 1962), Phillips Geneva XV 2022 lot 160 (case 764,524, 1962). The general Rolex serial charts in circulation (1958 ~224k–328k, 1962 ~643k) under-shoot the 5508-observed serials because the head-stamping ran later than the catalog-year for this specific reference.		Use case-back date codes alongside serials when assigning a build year — Rolex date-coded casebacks separately from serials. Phillips Geneva NINE 2019 lot 213 (case 361,650, "circa 1958") and Bonhams Feb 2018 lot 24627/98 (1959, 6251H rivet bracelet) anchor the launch period; Sotheby's Watches Online 2020 lot 37 (case 489,831, circa 1959) and Antiquorum Geneva 2020 lot 333-422 (case 490,575, circa 1958) populate the early-band cluster. The late cluster sits in the 762k–764k band: Phillips Hong Kong SPORTS 2019 lot 881 (case 762,896, II.62 caseback), Antiquorum Forte Dei Marmi 2021 (case 764,122, 1962), Antiquorum Monaco 2024 (case 764,196, 1962), Phillips Geneva XV 2022 lot 160 (case 764,524, 1962). The general Rolex serial charts in circulation (1958 ~224k–328k, 1962 ~643k) under-shoot the 5508-observed serials because the head-stamping ran later than the catalog-year for this specific reference.

	The 5508 is primarily a gilt-dial reference, with glossy black lacquer and gilt-coloured printing. Late ~~1962~~ examples include the exclamation-dial transition.		The 5508 is primarily a gilt-dial reference, with glossy black lacquer and gilt-coloured printing. Late-run examples include the exclamation-dial transition.

	<span id="movement-notes"></span>		<span id="movement-notes"></span>
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	The 1530 is not chronometer-rated at launch. The chronometer-rated four-line "Superlative Chronometer Officially Certified" dial is therefore a later 5508 spec, not the day-one configuration. Le Monde Edmond confirms 1530 is "more modern and reliable" than the 6536/1's 1030. The chronometer-rated upgrade to caliber 1560 follows on the 5512.		The 1530 is not chronometer-rated at launch. The chronometer-rated four-line "Superlative Chronometer Officially Certified" dial is therefore a later 5508 spec, not the day-one configuration. Le Monde Edmond confirms 1530 is "more modern and reliable" than the 6536/1's 1030. The chronometer-rated upgrade to caliber 1560 follows on the 5512.

	Caliber 1530 ~~shares~~ the ~~diameter of~~ the earlier 1030 ~~but was reduced to 5~~.~~75mm in~~ height — a ~~slimming that preserved case compatibility while sitting flatter inside the 5508's slim no-crown-guard case~~.		Caliber 1530 belongs to the same 12½-ligne movement family as the earlier 1030, with documented fitment in the 5508. Published height figures vary by source, so the page does not use a single height value to identify a watch.

	<span id="dial-map"></span>		<span id="dial-map"></span>
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	=== Four-line "SCOC" gilt ===		=== Four-line "SCOC" gilt ===

	A subset of 5508 dials carry the "Superlative Chronometer Officially Certified" line above 6 o'clock — the four-line layout. Antiquorum's 2008 Revolution sale lot 204 explicitly catalogues a "Gilt Four Line" 5508. The four-line dial coexists with the two-line dial during overlapping years rather than replacing it cleanly. ~~The~~ four-line ~~spec accompanies the~~ chronometer-~~grade running gear that arrived later~~ in the ~~1530's life — consistent with~~ the 17 → 25 → 26 jewel ~~progression over the run~~.		A subset of 5508 dials carry the "Superlative Chronometer Officially Certified" line above 6 o'clock — the four-line layout. Antiquorum's 2008 Revolution sale lot 204 explicitly catalogues a "Gilt Four Line" 5508. The four-line dial coexists with the two-line dial during overlapping years rather than replacing it cleanly. A four-line dial identifies a chronometer-marked example in the cited lot records. The available evidence does not establish a universal jewel-count transition or a serial-by-serial pairing between the 17-, 25-, and 26-jewel executions.

	<span id="exclamation-dial"></span>		<span id="exclamation-dial"></span>
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	Period-correct delivery bracelets on the 5508 split across three references depending on year and option. The earliest examples ship with the 6251H riveted Oyster (Bonhams Feb 2018, 1959 example with clasp 2/68 marking a service event but original-style fitment). The 7206 fixed-link riveted Oyster is the period-correct mainstream fitment — Bonhams Dec 2023 lot 38 documents a 1958 example with clasp 4/69, and Phillips Hong Kong 2019 lot 881 documents the 1962 fitment with end-link 64. The 6636 expandable riveted Oyster is the third documented original-delivery option — Phillips Geneva XV 2022 lot 160 (1962, clasp 4/64) and Phillips Geneva NINE 2019 (riveted Oyster with deployant clasp 1/58) anchor the 6636 fitment.		Period-correct delivery bracelets on the 5508 split across three references depending on year and option. The earliest examples ship with the 6251H riveted Oyster (Bonhams Feb 2018, 1959 example with clasp 2/68 marking a service event but original-style fitment). The 7206 fixed-link riveted Oyster is the period-correct mainstream fitment — Bonhams Dec 2023 lot 38 documents a 1958 example with clasp 4/69, and Phillips Hong Kong 2019 lot 881 documents the 1962 fitment with end-link 64. The 6636 expandable riveted Oyster is the third documented original-delivery option — Phillips Geneva XV 2022 lot 160 (1962, clasp 4/64) and Phillips Geneva NINE 2019 (riveted Oyster with deployant clasp 1/58) anchor the 6636 fitment.

	The 9315 folded-link Oyster is a ~~post-1968 service~~ replacement ~~only — not~~ period~~-correct for any~~ 5508. ~~Any~~ 9315 on a 5508 ~~marks~~ a service ~~swap~~. ~~Swiss rivet bracelets began carrying~~ reference-number stamps on the largest link ~~at 12 o'clock in 1961, so a~~ bracelet ~~without the reference stamp predates~~ that change. Clasp date codes are the cleanest single-component dating tool: a clasp dating later than the case head implies a swap or service-era replacement.		The 9315 folded-link Oyster is a later replacement rather than a period 5508 delivery fitment in the cited records. A 9315 on a 5508 should therefore be treated as a service or later replacement until its provenance shows otherwise. RolexHaven dates reference-number stamps on the largest rivet link to 1962; an unstamped bracelet may predate that change, but the clasp and end links still need separate checks. Clasp date codes are the cleanest single-component dating tool: a clasp dating later than the case head implies a swap or service-era replacement.

	A 1962 example is documented with a period presentation box. That lot does not establish how often original packaging survives.		A 1962 example is documented with a period presentation box. That lot does not establish how often original packaging survives.
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	== Sources ==		== Sources ==

			* [https://newsroom.rolex.com/watches/oyster-collection/submariner Rolex, "The Submariner — history and specifications"]
	* [https://monochrome-watches.com/rolex-submariner-history-part-2-the-55xx-1680references/ History of the Rolex Submariner — Part 2, The 55XX References and 1680 Date] — Tom Mulraney (Monochrome, 2020)		* [https://monochrome-watches.com/rolex-submariner-history-part-2-the-55xx-1680references/ History of the Rolex Submariner — Part 2, The 55XX References and 1680 Date] — Tom Mulraney (Monochrome, 2020)
	* [https://www.fratellowatches.com/grail-material-1959-rolex-submariner-ref-5508/ Grail Material: 1959 Rolex Submariner Ref. 5508] (Fratello)		* [https://www.fratellowatches.com/grail-material-1959-rolex-submariner-ref-5508/ Grail Material: 1959 Rolex Submariner Ref. 5508] (Fratello)

Admin: Audit 5508 evidence, Bond attribution, prose, and image gallery

2026-09-22T01:58:08Z

Audit 5508 evidence, Bond attribution, prose, and image gallery

Show changes

Admin: Place orphaned images: bezel-dial-closeup, hands (two-line gilt gallery), red-triangle-hero (case/bezel section)

2026-09-14T04:40:22Z

Place orphaned images: bezel-dial-closeup, hands (two-line gilt gallery), red-triangle-hero (case/bezel section)

← Older revision		Revision as of 04:40, 14 September 2026
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	Glossy black lacquer dial with gilt-coloured printing, Mercedes hour and minute hands, lollipop seconds, two-line "Submariner / 100m=660ft" layout. Some examples carry a Singer manufacturer marking on the reverse, visible only with the dial removed; Singer was one of the principal Swiss dial suppliers to Rolex during this period, and the back-stamp is a useful provenance indicator on loose dials.		Glossy black lacquer dial with gilt-coloured printing, Mercedes hour and minute hands, lollipop seconds, two-line "Submariner / 100m=660ft" layout. Some examples carry a Singer manufacturer marking on the reverse, visible only with the dial removed; Singer was one of the principal Swiss dial suppliers to Rolex during this period, and the back-stamp is a useful provenance indicator on loose dials.

			<gallery mode="packed" heights="180">
			File:Ref 5508 bezel-dial-closeup.webp\|alt=Bezel and dial closeup on a standard two-line 5508\|Bezel and two-line dial, standard gilt configuration
			File:Ref 5508 hands.webp\|alt=Mercedes hands and lollipop seconds hand on a 5508 dial\|Mercedes hands and lollipop seconds hand
			</gallery>

	<span id="four-line-scoc-gilt"></span>		<span id="four-line-scoc-gilt"></span>
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	The acrylic crystal and rotating dive bezel carry over from the earlier 6204 lineage. The 100m depth rating shows the small-crown specification that runs from the 6204 forward — and is the last time that figure appears on a small-crown Submariner before the crown-guard generation lifts it to 200m on the 5512. The bezel insert reads gilt minute graduations on a black ground, with a luminous triangle at 12; a small subset of 5508 examples surface with the red-triangle insert (the 12 marker filled with red enamel or lacquer), but the standard production fitment is the all-black insert.		The acrylic crystal and rotating dive bezel carry over from the earlier 6204 lineage. The 100m depth rating shows the small-crown specification that runs from the 6204 forward — and is the last time that figure appears on a small-crown Submariner before the crown-guard generation lifts it to 200m on the 5512. The bezel insert reads gilt minute graduations on a black ground, with a luminous triangle at 12; a small subset of 5508 examples surface with the red-triangle insert (the 12 marker filled with red enamel or lacquer), but the standard production fitment is the all-black insert.

			[[File:Ref 5508 red-triangle-hero.webp\|thumb\|right\|250px\|alt=5508 fitted with the red-triangle bezel insert variant\|5508 fitted with the red-triangle bezel insert variant]]

	The caseback wears smooth without an external date stamp; the interior carries the reference and case number alongside the Roman-quarter date code (II.62 = Q2 1962, etc.). The interior date code is the cleanest single dating anchor for a 5508 — the serial alone runs later than the catalog-year for this specific reference.		The caseback wears smooth without an external date stamp; the interior carries the reference and case number alongside the Roman-quarter date code (II.62 = Q2 1962, etc.). The interior date code is the cleanest single dating anchor for a 5508 — the serial alone runs later than the catalog-year for this specific reference.

Admin: Layout: remove duplicate hero-style image floating above Core facts (kept in lead only)

2026-09-07T01:49:30Z

Layout: remove duplicate hero-style image floating above Core facts (kept in lead only)

← Older revision		Revision as of 01:49, 7 September 2026
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	The 5508 is the last small-crown 100m Submariner without crown guards. Production runs 1958 to 1962 across the auction-house consensus (Sotheby's, Phillips, Bonhams). It is the small-crown counterpart to the big-crown 5510 (200m / 8mm crown), the cleanest mature expression of the 6204-era small-crown shape, and the reference where caliber 1530 grows through three jewel-count revisions (17 → 25 → 26 jewels) over the run. Sean Connery's on-screen Bond watch in Dr. No (1962) is the big-crown 6538, not the 5508 — Rolex Passion Report corrects the long-standing collector misattribution. The "James Bond Submariner" nickname attaches to the 5508 by collector convention rather than direct on-screen evidence.		The 5508 is the last small-crown 100m Submariner without crown guards. Production runs 1958 to 1962 across the auction-house consensus (Sotheby's, Phillips, Bonhams). It is the small-crown counterpart to the big-crown 5510 (200m / 8mm crown), the cleanest mature expression of the 6204-era small-crown shape, and the reference where caliber 1530 grows through three jewel-count revisions (17 → 25 → 26 jewels) over the run. Sean Connery's on-screen Bond watch in Dr. No (1962) is the big-crown 6538, not the 5508 — Rolex Passion Report corrects the long-standing collector misattribution. The "James Bond Submariner" nickname attaches to the 5508 by collector convention rather than direct on-screen evidence.

	~~[[File:Ref 5508 hero 3.webp\|thumb\|right\|250px\|alt=Rolex Submariner Ref. 5508\|Rolex Submariner Ref. 5508]]~~

	<span id="core-facts"></span>		<span id="core-facts"></span>

Admin: Layout: hero refreshed

2026-09-06T22:24:42Z

Layout: hero refreshed

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:24, 6 September 2026
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	<div class="rp-lead">		<div class="rp-lead">
	[[File:Ref 5508 hero.webp\|thumb\|center\|640px\|alt=Rolex 5508 Submariner\|Rolex 5508 Submariner]]		[[File:Ref 5508 hero 2.webp\|thumb\|center\|640px\|alt=Rolex 5508 Submariner\|Rolex 5508 Submariner]]
	</div>		</div>

Admin: Layout: hero inserted

2026-09-06T22:21:19Z

Layout: hero inserted

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:21, 6 September 2026
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	<small>[[Reference:submariner\|Submariner]] › '''5508'''</small>		<small>[[Reference:submariner\|Submariner]] › '''5508'''</small>

			<div class="rp-lead">
			[[File:Ref 5508 hero.webp\|thumb\|center\|640px\|alt=Rolex 5508 Submariner\|Rolex 5508 Submariner]]
			</div>

	The 5508 is the last small-crown 100m Submariner without crown guards. Production runs 1958 to 1962 across the auction-house consensus (Sotheby's, Phillips, Bonhams). It is the small-crown counterpart to the big-crown 5510 (200m / 8mm crown), the cleanest mature expression of the 6204-era small-crown shape, and the reference where caliber 1530 grows through three jewel-count revisions (17 → 25 → 26 jewels) over the run. Sean Connery's on-screen Bond watch in Dr. No (1962) is the big-crown 6538, not the 5508 — Rolex Passion Report corrects the long-standing collector misattribution. The "James Bond Submariner" nickname attaches to the 5508 by collector convention rather than direct on-screen evidence.		The 5508 is the last small-crown 100m Submariner without crown guards. Production runs 1958 to 1962 across the auction-house consensus (Sotheby's, Phillips, Bonhams). It is the small-crown counterpart to the big-crown 5510 (200m / 8mm crown), the cleanest mature expression of the 6204-era small-crown shape, and the reference where caliber 1530 grows through three jewel-count revisions (17 → 25 → 26 jewels) over the run. Sean Connery's on-screen Bond watch in Dr. No (1962) is the big-crown 6538, not the 5508 — Rolex Passion Report corrects the long-standing collector misattribution. The "James Bond Submariner" nickname attaches to the 5508 by collector convention rather than direct on-screen evidence.

Admin: site-wide: layout classes (core-facts card, breadcrumb, entry-point cards)

2026-09-05T01:21:43Z

site-wide: layout classes (core-facts card, breadcrumb, entry-point cards)

← Older revision		Revision as of 01:21, 5 September 2026
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	}}		}}

	<small>[[Reference:submariner\|Submariner]] -> '''5508'''</small>		<small>[[Reference:submariner\|Submariner]] › '''5508'''</small>

	The 5508 is the last small-crown 100m Submariner without crown guards. Production runs 1958 to 1962 across the auction-house consensus (Sotheby's, Phillips, Bonhams). It is the small-crown counterpart to the big-crown 5510 (200m / 8mm crown), the cleanest mature expression of the 6204-era small-crown shape, and the reference where caliber 1530 grows through three jewel-count revisions (17 → 25 → 26 jewels) over the run. Sean Connery's on-screen Bond watch in Dr. No (1962) is the big-crown 6538, not the 5508 — Rolex Passion Report corrects the long-standing collector misattribution. The "James Bond Submariner" nickname attaches to the 5508 by collector convention rather than direct on-screen evidence.		The 5508 is the last small-crown 100m Submariner without crown guards. Production runs 1958 to 1962 across the auction-house consensus (Sotheby's, Phillips, Bonhams). It is the small-crown counterpart to the big-crown 5510 (200m / 8mm crown), the cleanest mature expression of the 6204-era small-crown shape, and the reference where caliber 1530 grows through three jewel-count revisions (17 → 25 → 26 jewels) over the run. Sean Connery's on-screen Bond watch in Dr. No (1962) is the big-crown 6538, not the 5508 — Rolex Passion Report corrects the long-standing collector misattribution. The "James Bond Submariner" nickname attaches to the 5508 by collector convention rather than direct on-screen evidence.
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	== Core facts ==		== Core facts ==

	{\| class="wikitable"		{\| class="wikitable rp-facts"
	\|-		\|-
	! detail		! detail

Admin: site-wide: domain move BezelBase → Rolexopedia (rolexopedia.net)

2026-09-05T00:37:51Z

site-wide: domain move BezelBase → Rolexopedia (rolexopedia.net)

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:37, 5 September 2026
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	{{DISPLAYTITLE:Rolex 5508 Submariner}}		{{DISPLAYTITLE:Rolex 5508 Submariner}}
	{{#seo:		{{#seo:
	\|title=Rolex Submariner 5508 (1957–1961) — Production & Dial Guide \| ~~BezelBase~~		\|title=Rolex Submariner 5508 (1957–1961) — Production & Dial Guide \| Rolexopedia
	\|description=The 5508 is the last small-crown 100m Submariner without crown guards. 1958–62 production, caliber 1530 (jewel progression 17→25→26), four-line SCOC and exclamation dial branches, period-correct 6636 / 7206 / 6251H bracelets.		\|description=The 5508 is the last small-crown 100m Submariner without crown guards. 1958–62 production, caliber 1530 (jewel progression 17→25→26), four-line SCOC and exclamation dial branches, period-correct 6636 / 7206 / 6251H bracelets.
	\|keywords=Rolex, 5508, Submariner, specifications, small crown, exclamation dial, James Bond		\|keywords=Rolex, 5508, Submariner, specifications, small crown, exclamation dial, James Bond