Help with Square Crown Guard Submariner

[aiden33]

Hi Guys, I just finished reading a story about Rolex Submariner watches that have square crown guards. Any good resources as to where I can pick one of these up? Does anyone have any good reference articles the differences? Is that an option on newer watches too? Appreciate the help.

[watchingvinage]

The square crown guards were the first crown guards to be added to Submariner watches. Rolex later changed them to be pointed crown guards because the square ones were too clumsy.

There are a number of good resources you can read up on to learn more. I would suggest visiting https://www.bobswatches.com/rolex-bl...iner-5512.html and read the full post so that you have a better understanding.

From my understanding it is rare to find one for sale.

[Tools]

Originally Posted by aiden33

Hi Guys, I just finished reading a story about Rolex Submariner watches that have square crown guards. Any good resources as to where I can pick one of these up? Does anyone have any good reference articles the differences? Is that an option on newer watches too? Appreciate the help.

If you mean the 50's 5512, I don't think that there are any sources where you can "pick one of these up"

There are probably only a handful still in existence..

If you mean the new 116610s that all have squared guards, they're everywhere.

[Wesley Crusher]

One of the big vintage dealers may be able to source one for you, but I hope you have deep pockets.

[aiden33]

thanks for the tips guys.... the rolex submariner 5512, they seem pretty rare models. came across this article that was just published.... i think i am totally hooked now on the old vintage models. wow. http://airows.com/gear/5-greatest-ro...es-of-all-time

[omitohud]

Don't cross over the dark side. 😈

Trust me, soon u will b asking no crown guard, Bakelite, underlined, gilt, milsub, comex, etc.

5512 itself is not rare but ones with square CG, well, u have to know someone who knows someone .... U get the idea.

Good luck. 👍


I blame it on the autoconnect.

[Chadridv]

Whoa! This is some serious stuff. Interesting. Glad to follow this thread.

[subtona]

interesting stuff

[Wesley Crusher]

Originally Posted by omitohud

5512 itself is not rare

Maybe not "rare" compared to some other models, but it is pretty uncommon. How many 5512s do you see compared to 5513s?

[Mr. K]

150k? Wow.

[omitohud]

Originally Posted by Wesley Crusher

Maybe not "rare" compared to some other models, but it is pretty uncommon. How many 5512s do you see compared to 5513s?

I would take a 5512 over a 5513 any day no doubt. 4 lines r better than 2. 😉 But square CG is a whole different level. Currently there r over 40 5512 for sale on chrono24.


I blame it on the autoconnect.

[g-boac]

Originally Posted by aiden33

Hi Guys, I just finished reading a story about Rolex Submariner watches that have square crown guards. Any good resources as to where I can pick one of these up? Does anyone have any good reference articles the differences? Is that an option on newer watches too? Appreciate the help.

Hello Aiden! Welcome to the forum. One of the finest and most comprehensive research pieces I've read about the square crown guard Submariner 5512 is here, by Stefano Mazzariol, of Italy. This lengthy and comprehensive article Stefano is a scholar of the vintage Rolex sports models. It will feel a little like drinking from a fire hose, but you'll start getting a sense for how many idiosyncrasies, details, and variants there are with vintage Rolex Submariners.

http://www.vintagehour.com/rolex-sub...ano-mazzariol/

As alluded to here, a good first watch to focus in on is the 5513 or 5512 as these two models were essentially the "mass production" models of the Submariner, of which you'll find the most widely accessible.

One more equally prominent model to get to know is the vintage GMT-Master 1675. It was quite prevalent through the dawn of the jet age, used my commercial, military, and test pilots all alike! Either watch is a great first pickup to make.

Welcome, and enjoy!

[watchcrank]

Difficult enough to find a 5512 in nice condition & square CG's way more difficult. Last one I saw was on the bay and scooped up by a dealer. Still had service dial and insert.
good luck with the search.

[Toaster]

If you are just dipping a toe into vintage go slow, the options are exponential compared with what you see in an ad case and i still find myself struggling between different models and different references within those models. Drooling over a unicorn type of piece like that will have you chasing the dragon for a long long while.

Sent from my VS876 using Tapatalk

[swish77]

Well, the "real" square crown-guard Subs are super rare, as stated above, but if you find an excellent later 5512 that hasn't been polished, the crown guards still have a squared look to them. And you can buy a house with the money you saved!

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by g-boac

Hello Aiden! Welcome to the forum. One of the finest and most comprehensive research pieces I've read about the square crown guard Submariner 5512 is here, by Stefano Mazzariol, of Italy. This lengthy and comprehensive article Stefano is a scholar of the vintage Rolex sports models. It will feel a little like drinking from a fire hose, but you'll start getting a sense for how many idiosyncrasies, details, and variants there are with vintage Rolex Submariners.

http://www.vintagehour.com/rolex-sub...ano-mazzariol/

As alluded to here, a good first watch to focus in on is the 5513 or 5512 as these two models were essentially the "mass production" models of the Submariner, of which you'll find the most widely accessible.

One more equally prominent model to get to know is the vintage GMT-Master 1675. It was quite prevalent through the dawn of the jet age, used my commercial, military, and test pilots all alike! Either watch is a great first pickup to make.

Welcome, and enjoy!

Great article link, thank you for sharing.
$180 including federal tax, back in the day

[EricReiss]

If anyone is interested, Antiquorum has a Square Crown Guard Submariner 5512 (1959) coming up for auction on May 15, 2016 in Geneva. The estimate is low - CHF 10-15K - the last time one came up for auction, it was in similar condition yet went for over twice this amount, so be prepared. But these watches are scarce as hen's teeth, so if you really want one, this is your chance!

[fmc000]

Originally Posted by EricReiss

If anyone is interested, Antiquorum has a Square Crown Guard Submariner 5512 (1959) coming up for auction on May 15, 2016 in Geneva. The estimate is low - CHF 10-15K - the last time one came up for auction, it was in similar condition yet went for over twice this amount, so be prepared. But these watches are scarce as hen's teeth, so if you really want one, this is your chance!

This watch (lot 122 - page 68 of the catalog) has a 5513 service dial from the 70's and what it looks like a luminova service insert.

[Frogman4me]

1959 was a transitional year for the Rolex submariner so the 6538/5510 were still shortly in production in the start of the year when the 5512 debut towards the late part of the year. The first iteration of the 5512 had square shoulders which is extremely rare and likely made during the early part of the 3rd quarter in 1959. Almost immediately they changed them to the eagle beak in the same year likely around end of the 3rd quarter of 1959. As mentioned the square guards made it hard to access the crown properly so they were short lived. The eagle beak also was replaced by the more traditional pointed crown guards shortly after. Both square and eagle beak are extremely rare as their production time was just part of a quarter in a year. Only a few examples of the SCG 5512 are around so expect to pay a small fortune for one if you can even find a collector willing to one go.

[jehuel]

I got one of the Rolex Square guards 5512 and probably the first of the series, unfortunately dial its damaged.

[Wesley Crusher]

Originally Posted by jehuel

I got one of the Rolex Square guards 5512 and probably the first of the series, unfortunately dial its damaged.

How about some pics?

[jehuel]

Let me try to find it.,I remove the movement for service and still separate (sorry for my bad English)

[jehuel]

I can't upload my photos

[jehuel]

[jehuel]

[jehuel]

[jehuel]

[jehuel]

Refinished Dial

[Kingface66]

Photos not coming through

[jehuel]

photos of my 5512 Square Guards