Manufacturer: Rolex Year: Circa 1977 Reference No: 5512 Movement No: 280’692 Case No: 5’414’364 Model Name: Submariner Material: Stainless steel Calibre: Automatic, cal. 1570, 26 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Stainless steel Rolex riveted Oyster bracelet, max length 180mm Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Rolex Oyster deployant clasp stamped "77" Dimensions: 40mm Diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement, bracelet and clasp signed
Catalogue Essay
Succeeding the ref. 5510 in 1959, the ref. 5512 was the first submariner that featured crown guards, to increase waterproof performance. The addition of crown guards marks a new milestone and advancement for Rolex, as all Submariners produced after the ref. 5512, all featured crown guards till date. Throughout the production of the reference, three variations of the design of crown guards were available, square, pointed and rounded.
The present watch features a "4-Liner" dial from circa 1977, marking it as one of the last examples of the reference before it was discontinued in 1978. The reference 5512 with four lines of text signified that it was a "Superlative Chronometer" and "Officially Certified". With a higher price point at the time compared to the reference 5513, the production was lower and today it is more sought after than its latter reference.
Founded 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.