Reference:5508: Difference between revisions

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== Movement notes ==

The movement picture is well grounded. The strongest examples~~, including the Wanna Buy A Watch archive and the Loupe This lot,~~ both name caliber 1530. This is a significant upgrade over the bumper A260 found in the 6204 and 6205, and the same caliber that appears in early 5512 and 5513 production. The 1530 is a full-rotor automatic with a more conventional winding system than the earlier bumper movements. Per forum research, caliber 1530 shares the same diameter as the earlier caliber 1030 but is reduced to 5.75mm in height — a dimensional refinement that maintained case compatibility while delivering a slimmer movement profile.

The movement picture is well grounded. The strongest examples both name caliber 1530. This is a significant upgrade over the bumper A260 found in the 6204 and 6205, and the same caliber that appears in early 5512 and 5513 production. The 1530 is a full-rotor automatic with a more conventional winding system than the earlier bumper movements. Per forum research, caliber 1530 shares the same diameter as the earlier caliber 1030 but is reduced to 5.75mm in height — a dimensional refinement that maintained case compatibility while delivering a slimmer movement profile.

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=== Tropical ===

Tropical examples, where the black lacquer has aged to brown or chocolate tones, are known and actively sought by collectors. ~~Wanna Buy A Watch’s~~ archived 1959 example with serial 489,xxx is a strong tropical anchor.

Tropical examples, where the black lacquer has aged to brown or chocolate tones, are known and actively sought by collectors. An archived 1959 example with serial 489,xxx is a strong tropical anchor.

=== Exclamation dot ===

Late 5508 examples from around 1962 can carry an exclamation dot — a small lume dot placed under the six-o’clock marker. This feature is usually treated as part of the late-radium transition story, when Rolex was moving from radium to tritium luminous material. ~~Vintage Gold Watches listed a~~ 1962 exclamation-dot example with original presentation box.

Late 5508 examples from around 1962 can carry an exclamation dot — a small lume dot placed under the six-o’clock marker. This feature is usually treated as part of the late-radium transition story, when Rolex was moving from radium to tritium luminous material. A 1962 exclamation-dot example with original presentation box is also documented.

=== Service dials ===

Service replacement dials appear on surviving 5508 examples and need to be distinguished from original production dials. ~~Loupe This’s~~ 1958 example explicitly shows a service dial, later insert, repaired rivet bracelet, and later Jubilee clasp — useful because it demonstrates how compromised but honest survivors can look.

Service replacement dials appear on surviving 5508 examples and need to be distinguished from original production dials. A documented 1958 example explicitly shows a service dial, later insert, repaired rivet bracelet, and later Jubilee clasp — useful because it demonstrates how compromised but honest survivors can look.

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* 6636/58: stretch rivet bracelet

The bracelet picture is still not final, but it is no longer just one thin note. ~~Bob’s~~ shows a rivet bracelet with 80 end links. ~~Wanna Buy A Watch~~ shows a rivet stretch bracelet with 64 end pieces and clasp dated 3/60. ~~Vintage Gold Watches~~ adds a period-correct rivet bracelet and an original presentation box on ~~its~~ 1962 example.

The bracelet picture is still not final, but it is no longer just one thin note. One documented example shows a rivet bracelet with 80 end links. Another shows a rivet stretch bracelet with 64 end pieces and clasp dated 3/60. A third adds a period-correct rivet bracelet and an original presentation box on a 1962 example.

That is enough to make the fitment and presentation story more real, even if it still does not settle original delivery for every variant.

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== Historical market and auction record ==

~~Wanna Buy A Watch~~ archived a sold tropical 1959 watch with serial 489,xxx, caliber 1530, faded original bezel, and rivet bracelet with 64 end pieces. ~~Loupe This listed a~~ 1958 5508 ~~with~~ service dial, later insert, repaired rivet bracelet, and later Jubilee clasp — useful because it shows how compromised but honest survivors can look. ~~Vintage Gold Watches also listed a~~ 1962 exclamation-dot example with presentation box.

One archived example is a sold tropical 1959 watch with serial 489,xxx, caliber 1530, faded original bezel, and rivet bracelet with 64 end pieces. A second documented 1958 5508 carries a service dial, later insert, repaired rivet bracelet, and later Jubilee clasp — useful because it shows how compromised but honest survivors can look. A 1962 exclamation-dot example with presentation box rounds out the documented set.

The 5508 occupies a specific market position. It is less famous than the 6538 and less structurally significant than the 5512, but it is the cleanest expression of the small-crown no-crown-guard Submariner in its most mature form. Collectors who value the slim early case shape over the later crown-guard profile pay close attention to this reference.

@@ Line 69: / Line 69: @@
 == Movement notes ==
-The movement picture is well grounded. The strongest examples, including the Wanna Buy A Watch archive and the Loupe This lot, both name caliber 1530. This is a significant upgrade over the bumper A260 found in the 6204 and 6205, and the same caliber that appears in early 5512 and 5513 production. The 1530 is a full-rotor automatic with a more conventional winding system than the earlier bumper movements. Per forum research, caliber 1530 shares the same diameter as the earlier caliber 1030 but is reduced to 5.75mm in height — a dimensional refinement that maintained case compatibility while delivering a slimmer movement profile.
+The movement picture is well grounded. The strongest examples both name caliber 1530. This is a significant upgrade over the bumper A260 found in the 6204 and 6205, and the same caliber that appears in early 5512 and 5513 production. The 1530 is a full-rotor automatic with a more conventional winding system than the earlier bumper movements. Per forum research, caliber 1530 shares the same diameter as the earlier caliber 1030 but is reduced to 5.75mm in height — a dimensional refinement that maintained case compatibility while delivering a slimmer movement profile.
 <span id="dial-map"></span>
@@ Line 87: / Line 87: @@
 === Tropical ===
-Tropical examples, where the black lacquer has aged to brown or chocolate tones, are known and actively sought by collectors. Wanna Buy A Watch’s archived 1959 example with serial 489,xxx is a strong tropical anchor.
+Tropical examples, where the black lacquer has aged to brown or chocolate tones, are known and actively sought by collectors. An archived 1959 example with serial 489,xxx is a strong tropical anchor.
 <span id="exclamation-dot"></span>
 === Exclamation dot ===
-Late 5508 examples from around 1962 can carry an exclamation dot — a small lume dot placed under the six-o’clock marker. This feature is usually treated as part of the late-radium transition story, when Rolex was moving from radium to tritium luminous material. Vintage Gold Watches listed a 1962 exclamation-dot example with original presentation box.
+Late 5508 examples from around 1962 can carry an exclamation dot — a small lume dot placed under the six-o’clock marker. This feature is usually treated as part of the late-radium transition story, when Rolex was moving from radium to tritium luminous material. A 1962 exclamation-dot example with original presentation box is also documented.
 <span id="service-dials"></span>
 === Service dials ===
-Service replacement dials appear on surviving 5508 examples and need to be distinguished from original production dials. Loupe This’s 1958 example explicitly shows a service dial, later insert, repaired rivet bracelet, and later Jubilee clasp — useful because it demonstrates how compromised but honest survivors can look.
+Service replacement dials appear on surviving 5508 examples and need to be distinguished from original production dials. A documented 1958 example explicitly shows a service dial, later insert, repaired rivet bracelet, and later Jubilee clasp — useful because it demonstrates how compromised but honest survivors can look.
 <span id="case-bezel-crystal-and-crown-notes"></span>
@@ Line 114: / Line 114: @@
 * 6636/58: stretch rivet bracelet
-The bracelet picture is still not final, but it is no longer just one thin note. Bob’s shows a rivet bracelet with 80 end links. Wanna Buy A Watch shows a rivet stretch bracelet with 64 end pieces and clasp dated 3/60. Vintage Gold Watches adds a period-correct rivet bracelet and an original presentation box on its 1962 example.
+The bracelet picture is still not final, but it is no longer just one thin note. One documented example shows a rivet bracelet with 80 end links. Another shows a rivet stretch bracelet with 64 end pieces and clasp dated 3/60. A third adds a period-correct rivet bracelet and an original presentation box on a 1962 example.
 That is enough to make the fitment and presentation story more real, even if it still does not settle original delivery for every variant.
@@ Line 131: / Line 131: @@
 == Historical market and auction record ==
-Wanna Buy A Watch archived a sold tropical 1959 watch with serial 489,xxx, caliber 1530, faded original bezel, and rivet bracelet with 64 end pieces. Loupe This listed a 1958 5508 with service dial, later insert, repaired rivet bracelet, and later Jubilee clasp — useful because it shows how compromised but honest survivors can look. Vintage Gold Watches also listed a 1962 exclamation-dot example with presentation box.
+One archived example is a sold tropical 1959 watch with serial 489,xxx, caliber 1530, faded original bezel, and rivet bracelet with 64 end pieces. A second documented 1958 5508 carries a service dial, later insert, repaired rivet bracelet, and later Jubilee clasp — useful because it shows how compromised but honest survivors can look. A 1962 exclamation-dot example with presentation box rounds out the documented set.
 The 5508 occupies a specific market position. It is less famous than the 6538 and less structurally significant than the 5512, but it is the cleanest expression of the small-crown no-crown-guard Submariner in its most mature form. Collectors who value the slim early case shape over the later crown-guard profile pay close attention to this reference.