MY GRAIL ROLEX: NO CROWN GUARDS SUB (a.k.a. Bond Sub)

[Subexplorer]

GOT IT!! An old Dream Come True: My “Guardless” Sub.

Hola Amigos!!
Well, I guess the title explains everything!
I Finally GOT it!! And I´d love to share this experience with my fellow Rolex fans at TRF!

Yes, my old friend owner of my favorite AD, was after the right tracks when he phoned me last Friday (see my previous post: http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=70304)
alerting me about the good news: he had discovered an owner of an old no guards Sub willing to sell it.

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Then on Monday, after he met this owner, saw the watch and it satisfactorily passed his inspection, he phoned me again to explain the details of this piece: it was a Reference 5508, made circa 1959, in good shape, ticking perfectly, and with the official Rolex ok.
He sent a picture by mail, and I agreed purchase conditioned to a personal view.
We arranged a meeting on wednesday morning to view the watch personally, and give my final approval.

As I already explaines in my previous post, I knew that this hunt was going to be a difficult one.
My goal was to get any of the several Rolex references, popularly known as “no crown guard Sub” or “Bond Sub”: e.g. 6200/6204/6536/6538/5508/5510.

Some very interesting information can be found in the web, and I specially recommend the post writen by Tools at our own TRF: http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=60770
as well as the wealth of information gathered by Jake at his own fabulous Blog about Rolex in general, and about the Bond watches in particular: http://rolexblog.blogspot.com/2008/1...ames-bond.html
At Jake´s Blog, you can find a deep investigation and research job about this matter. (and as a matter of fact, a Big Great quantity of interesting reading about Rolex lore!)

So, though I know that it is generally accepted that the ref 6538, or may be the 6200 are the REAL Bond watches of “Dr No /Goldfinger” fame, I was in search of any of the several variations without the crown guards, which ended with reference 5510, in 1960 when Rolex announced its model 5512, the first Sub with the typical “guards” protecting the crown.

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A size comparison with current no date Sub 14060m



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Case comparison with current Sub no date.


As a Rolex fan, and specially a Submariner model fan since I was in my early teens, (that was several decades ago, as I´m 60 now!) to reach any “guardless” model (specially one without the COSC inscription) was my definitive goal, in spite of the difficulties I already knew about getting one in my own Country, as told in my previous post.

Well, the date of the meeting arrived, and the 5508 resulted to be exactly what my friend had described, and what I was looking for: an affordable nice condition, representative example of the classic Bond watch.
The terms of the deal were arranged, and now the little old Sub resides proudly on my wrist!

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It is interesting to observe this nice watch very closely. You get the feeling of past times, and you can understand very well how timeless this classic design is. Yes, it is true that present made Subs are stronger, can get deeper, and it is very possible that the “little engine” inside modern Rolex is of better quality, accuracy and technically more advanced. (In spite of this, the old watch is very accurate indeed).
But I feel that its plain simple look is so classic, so charming, so representative of the World I knew when I was very young, about forty or fifty years ago, when life was more simple, and less sophisticated!
I love the gorgeous brown hue of the luminous markers, as result of the passing of time, and the clean uncluttered black dial. And I also like so much the look of the classic riveted steel bracelet typical of Rolex watches of that era.
I just love so much its elegant case, so slim and streamlined!

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Size Comparison with current version of Explorer


This old watch, made around 1959, follows the pattern initiated by the 6200/6204 watches which, in 1953/54 started the Heritage of one of the most iconic sport watch model of all times: The Submariner.

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Family shot. Grandpa and its illustrious heirs: 1680, 14060, DS and newcomer DSSD.



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Grandpa and his grandson
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Need I to say that I´m completely Happy? I finally got my Grial Rolex, and I wish to thank here my good friend Rodolfo, for his kind, nice help in the finding, and making true an old dream and helping to put a happy end to my Hunt.

I just wanted to share this finding with my good friends at TRF, the only nice people I know in this World, who will completely understand my feelings today.

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It´s a shame that my budget do not allow me reaching a battleship grey ´64 DB4 Aston M.!
Anyway, I´ll go home for my tuxedo and my PPK, put the old Sub on my wrist and pay due homage to Bond.

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I´ll get my vodka-martini “in a deep champagne goblet” -shaken not stirred, of course- and make a toast to the good health of Mr. Connery, and to the good health of all my good friends at TRF!

(Sorry JJ!: just a little Spy playing at home, and will be back to steel soon!)
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Thanks for your kind attention! Best cordial regards, Abel

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[ippon20]

Oh my, Abel! That is a great looking watch! Loving the patina! Fantastic! Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go take a cold shower! Congrats on your find x10!

[DSJ]

Wow, congratulations on a fabulous find, and I can tell by your post how thrilled you are. That watch couldn't go to a better home, IMO. Well done.

[moby33]

WOW!!! What more can I say? Great watch, great story, great pictures & AMAZING collection. Thanks for sharing.

[Marrk]

Congratulations! Very exciting indeed.

[alant]

What a watch! Congrats at finding your grail.

What a watch!

[chriseskew24]

Thank you so much for shareing. I love the hunt and wow what a reward at the end of it all. Im sure you deserve it . Were it in good health. Love the grandpa grandson pictures.

[tthopp05]

I will drink to that.Great pics.

[Subexplorer]

Thank you friends!! You are so kind!!
It´s wonderful to be able to share this experience with all of you!
I´m glad you liked it.
Thanks again for your so nice comments!
Kind cordial regards, Abel

[STEELINOX]

Top Marks !
Congratulations and enjoy to the full !


Thanks,
Randy

[kyle L]

What a wonderful watch! Glad you finished your quest. Whats your next one?

[2th Dr]

A very big congrats!!!! And thanks for sharing!

[Subexplorer]

Thank you again friends!!
Your kind nice words just add to the enjoyment of this piece!
Thank you so much TRF!!
I sincerely appreciate your kind comments!
Bruno: please just make a click!
Anyway, here you go with a pix!
Kind cordial regards, Abel

[GerardoG]

BRAVO!!!! Felicidades!

[Subexplorer]

Hi Kyle! Thank you!!
Well, I guess my pockets tell me to stop for a while!
Well... I just need to replace my beloved 5513 (bought in 1966), lost during an armed robbery I suffered many years ago.
This would complete my collection desires, though the Grial Rolex will remain this 5508.
Thanks for your message my friend!
Kind regards, Abel

[Subexplorer]

Gracias Gerardo!!
Saludos Abel

[T5AUS]

Just a superb example, what a score, how often do they come along in that condition.
Where do you go from here, stay lucky ?

[SirLoki]

that was fast!

congrats

[CEG]

Just brilliant ! Great find, great story, and by the sounds of it - great owner !! Well done

[Subexplorer]

Thank you so much friends, for so many nice and kind messages, that add to my enjoyment of this new addition to my collection.
I´m moved by reading so many nice comments!!
Thanks sincerely!! It´s Great to have a place where you can share these findings and passion.
Best kind regards, Abel

[Rebel]

Thanks for sharing. Love that Sub!

[1904 Submariner]

Congratulations! That is a beautiful Sub indeed.


As I read your post I am also watching From Russia with love.

[HDHNTER]

Exceptionally nice, congrats!

[brettpaul]

I'm very happy for you Abel and the watch is just stunning!! Thank you for sharing the pursuit and capture of your quarry!!!

Congratulations!!!!

[Subexplorer]

Thanks again friends for such a nice string of comments from you. This makes me enjoy much more my new watch. Thanks a lot!!
Kind regards, Abel

[buz-lh]

Fantastic find Abel. I'm very happy for you.

[Subexplorer]

Thanks Buz! I appreciate your message! Kind regards, Abel

[Dan Pierce]

Abel,
Not sure how I miss this but congrats on the Grail, buddy!! It's a beauty. A great feeling and privilege wearing history on your wrist.
dP

[vapalux]

Hi Abel

Many, many congrats on your 'Grail'. As many people have said I am very happy for you. It must be a wonderful feeling

Enjoy it my friend

Si

[Subexplorer]

Originally Posted by 1904 Submariner

Congratulations! That is a beautiful Sub indeed.


As I read your post I am also watching From Russia with love.

Thanks!! I´ve seen it again a few weeks ago!!
Will need to see Goldfinger again for that memorable scene of Bond going in white Tuxedo under frogman garment, and then checking time of explosion with his Sub!
Thanks again!!