272
Rolex
Ref. 5508, inside case back stamped III.1958
Submariner
A fine and rare stainless steel wristwatch with sweep centre seconds, black lacquer dial and bracelet
- Estimate
- HK$120,000 - 180,000
HK$150,000
Lot Details
- Manufacturer
- Rolex
- Year
- 1958
- Reference No
- 5508, inside case back stamped III.1958
- Movement No
- 30'208
- Case No
- 399'755
- Model Name
- Submariner
- Material
- Stainless steel
- Calibre
- Automatic, 1530, 17 jewels
- Bracelet/Strap
- Stainless steel <em>Rolex Oyster</em> bracelet stamped 7206, 186 mm. maximum length
- Clasp/Buckle
- Stainless steel <em>Rolex </em>folding deployant clasp
- Dimensions
- 38 mm. diameter
- Signed
- <em>Case, dial and movement signed</em>
Specialist
Full-Cataloguing
Catalogue Essay
The present Submariner reference 5508 was manufactured in 1958, which is the first year this reference was introduced. It is a highly desirable and charismatic example, fitted with a correct black lacquer 'Swiss' dial with gilt signature and upgraded depth rating printed in white on the surface of the dial. The hands and lumes have aged to a warm and beautiful orange tone consistently together. The insert features the upgraded calibration to 15 minutes from its predecessor reference 6536/1 and is nicely faded giving the watch great character.
The case has sharp beveled edges and the numbers between the lugs are clearly readable, making this example very sought after today.
The case has sharp beveled edges and the numbers between the lugs are clearly readable, making this example very sought after today.
Literature
Rolex
Swiss | 1905Founded in 1905 England by Hans Wilsdorf and Alfred Davis as Wilsdorf & Davis, it soon became known as the Rolex Watch Company in 1915, moving its headquarters to Geneva in 1919. Like no other company, the success of the wristwatch can be attributed to many of Rolex's innovations that made them one of the most respected and well-known of all luxury brands. These innovations include their famous "Oyster" case — the world's first water resistant and dustproof watch case, invented in 1926 — and their "Perpetual" — the first reliable self-winding movement for wristwatches launched in 1933. They would form the foundation for Rolex's Datejust and Day-Date, respectively introduced in 1945 and 1956, but also importantly for their sports watches, such as the Explorer, Submariner and GMT-Master launched in the mid-1950s.One of its most famous models is the Cosmograph Daytona. Launched in 1963, these chronographs are without any doubt amongst the most iconic and coveted of all collectible wristwatches. Other key collectible models include their most complicated vintage watches, including references 8171 and 6062 with triple calendar and moon phase, "Jean Claude Killy" triple date chronograph models and the Submariner, including early "big-crown" models and military-issued variants.
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