My search continues... a 5508?

[sleepyman]

Hi Guys,

Spotted few 5513s and not so potential red depth sub..

Chanced upon this interesting 5508 "small crown" priced at a princely 18K USD

I like the orangey hue of the gilt words.. and of course.. the puffy plots..

I will appreciate your frank comments on it :)

There is a plastic over the plexiglass in the first 2 pics..





Pic from merchant:

[themaninblack]

You see huge variaton in dial condition and character in these watches. Some a are pitted, pickled or cracked, others spotty, others near perfect gloss. Big variations in hue of gilt and lume too. One mans meat is another mans poison I suppose.

An interesting note on 5508's. Nearly all case backs are stamped inside 58 (1958) even though the case serial numbers may run from 1958 through to 1964. They must have made a truckload of casebacks in 1958 and then made cases over a longer period of time so the two may not correspond. In fact you could find an all original watch with a 58 caseback, a 1959 case and an exclamation dial which were almost certainly not produced as early as 1958/9 meaning the parts were all made at different times but it would seem left Rolex as a complete unit. Some dials have uniform lume colour, some have the different shade on the 6 o'clock marker and some are exclamation.

Enjoy the search.

[themaninblack]

Btw. Just additionally. I don't think the hands are original. 5508 did not likely come with that long minute and second hand, but possible. One clearish photo only, it's hard to say much. Also to clarify case backs were stamped full 1958.

[Wing Zero]

dial looks good to me, minus the faded depth rating.
Original hands were gilt, so the current hands are replacements

Any more picture of the side profile?
SN / REF# Engravings?
Case back, movement?

[springer]

Originally Posted by themaninblack

You see huge variaton in dial condition and character in these watches. Some a are pitted, pickled or cracked, others spotty, others near perfect gloss. Big variations in hue of gilt and lume too. One mans meat is another mans poison I suppose.

An interesting note on 5508's. Nearly all case backs are stamped inside 58 (1958) even though the case serial numbers may run from 1958 through to 1964. They must have made a truckload of casebacks in 1958 and then made cases over a longer period of time so the two may not correspond. In fact you could find an all original watch with a 58 caseback, a 1959 case and an exclamation dial which were almost certainly not produced as early as 1958/9 meaning the parts were all made at different times but it would seem left Rolex as a complete unit. Some dials have uniform lume colour, some have the different shade on the 6 o'clock marker and some are exclamation.

Enjoy the search.

Every case back that I have seen from 1958 is stamped 1958 not 58 - to include the 5508. I would like to see some examples stamped 58 if you have some photos. Thanks in advance.

[themaninblack]

Originally Posted by springer

Every case back that I have seen from 1958 is stamped 1958 not 58 - to include the 5508. I would like to see some examples stamped 58 if you have some photos. Thanks in advance.

That's exactly what I said as clarification in post #3 of this thread, perhaps you missed that post.

[springer]

Originally Posted by themaninblack

That's exactly what I said as clarification in post #3 of this thread, perhaps you missed that post.

No I did not see a clarification in your post #3 - excuse my post.

[themaninblack]

Originally Posted by springer

No I did not see a clarification in your post #3 - excuse my post.

No worries.

[GGGMT]

Hand don't look original to me either.

[sleepyman]

Hi Guys,

Thanks for your advice!

Admittedly, I didnt know the original hands are supposed to be Gilt!

This puts me off somewhat.. but.. replacement hands.. A certain no-no for this piece?

[donaker]

Originally Posted by themaninblack

An interesting note on 5508's. Nearly all case backs are stamped inside 58 (1958) even though the case serial numbers may run from 1958 through to 1964. They must have made a truckload of casebacks in 1958 and then made cases over a longer period of time so the two may not correspond. In fact you could find an all original watch with a 58 caseback, a 1959 case and an exclamation dial which were almost certainly not produced as early as 1958/9 meaning the parts were all made at different times but it would seem left Rolex as a complete unit. Some dials have uniform lume colour, some have the different shade on the 6 o'clock marker and some are exclamation.

As you can see below, my 1962 is stamped as such.

[themaninblack]

Absolutely. Looking very slick there! 1962 watches had the case back marking "62" but 1958 case backs were marked "1958" as i noted in my follow up in the 3rd post on the thread. I have two, with 1958 case backs but clearly 1959 case serial numbers. I have seen 1958 case backs also on later case serial numbered watches. I have never seen one with a 59, 60 or 61 case back. Curious If anyone else has. Interesting that 1959 was the launch of ref. 5512, perhaps they produced very few 5508's in those years but had enough of the older case backs in stock. Anyway, just a few rambling thoughts!

They are delightful watches, so elegant. Here is a 1958 case back with a 1959 serial number. It's a lovely well worn quite original old watch except for the service plexi that I quite like anyway. An original sits in the draw and might get fitted some day.

[sleepyman]

All 5508 hands supposed to be gilt?

Cant find a clear pic... hmm..

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by donaker

As you can see below, my 1962 is stamped as such.