1968 Rolex Submariner Meters First Unpolished and Mint Ref. 5512

Model:
Year of issue: 1968
Reference number: 5512
Condition: mint
Status: sold
Dealer country: Dubai
Dealer name: Tariq Malik
Price in US $ n/a

Description

The Unpolished 5512      -      there are two types of unpolished watches. The one that has been a permanent companion on the wrist, worn for decades, showing wear from age and telling stories. This is the one we call ' Raw'. Then there is the other fellow, the one that hasn't seen much daylight, that didnt travel the world and has no story to tell, only that it was locked away for most of its life and was not allowed to leave the safety box. This is the unpolished ' like new' species of which we have here probably one of the best examples around. It is hard to believe that a Submariner, after 52 years can look like this. Let us take a breath to describe the incredible condition of this watch. The case is 100% unpolished and in pristine condition only showing very very light wear in form of hairline scratches. The factory finishing on the lugs is fully intact and showing rich and crisp chamfers which reflect at certain lighting and angles. The bezel is not the one from the Bond movie but its razor sharp, melts very well with the condition of the case. The insert is correct and in near flawless condition, still bearing the original pip. Also hard to believe is that the original crown is still present to this watch. The dial is flawless and has the correct very finely grained surface not showing any tool marks or wear. The luminous has the waffle like texture and has aged to a beautiful corn yellow color. The original hands have aged a shade brighter. The original 9315 folded Oyster bracelet is in matching condition like the rest. All in all this could be among the top examples of a matte dial Meters First 5512, which, if you compare to a 5513 is much much rarer in numbers. I think we are only touching the surface if we say that this is a Grail right here.

SKU 1.1.863
Brand Rolex
Model Submariner Meters First
Ref. No. 5512
Serial No. 1867XXX
Year 1968
Gender Gents
Case Size 40mm
Case Incredible unpolished case hardly showing any wear. The untouched case still shows the full factory finishing and beautiful chamfers on all even lugs. The lug holes are sharp like on day one and the crown guards around the original crown are fat and even. Reference and serial numbers are crisp and fully intact
Bracelet / Strap Excellent matching 9315 folded Oyster bracelet in unpolished condition. The fliplock is matching, only the blade has been changed in ca 1976.
Dial Absolute flawless Meters First Four Liner dial not showing any wear from age. The lume plots with the typical waffle surface are original and fully intact. The original Tritium has aged beautifully to a yellowish corn color, the hands have aged a shade lighter
Crystal Superdome
Price Sold
Movement Automatic
Condition Mint
Box No
Papers No

Dealer

Tariq Malik

The Rolex Submariner

The Rolex Submariner is without a doubt one of the most successful Rolex models in history. Not only because it more than aptly served its purpose as diver’s watch, although I am pretty sure only a small number of Submariners has ever seen a spat of water. Its appearance in several James Bond movies certainly helped as well. If you omit functionality and marketing, the Submariner success is mainly due to its elegance as a timeless dress watch. It’s just one of those watches you keep looking at, regardless of wanting to know the time of day. The Submariner was launched in 1953 and officially presented at the Basel Fair in 1954. Check out my RPReport about the Rolex Submariner History by following this link...