Submariner Ref. 5512, 4 lines, with "Submariner" first

[laurpi]

Hi, I'm intending to buy a very nice looking 1967 Submariner 5512 with box and papers. I was intrigued when I saw that the dial had been replaced by a 4-line version with "Submariner" first. Apparently it was common practice to replace the dial on 5512 until the mid '70s.

What do you think of this model? Is the fact that the dial has been replaced a (serious) issue? Thank you for your information and advice. Do you know of any reference web pages on this subject?

Many thanks in advance!

[TuRo]

Welcome. Pics would be useful pls.

A mtrs first 5512 dial alone is about 40-50% of watches value, so a later feet first service dial would wipe off about 25-40% off value imho.

[springer]

Find the cost of a meters first dial in the secondary market and you'll have a good idea on the value. Just be aware that nice, original, Sub 5512 meters first dials are not very plentiful and easy to source.

As far as whether a service dial and/or hand set affects the value for this watch, I believe it would since the dial is the most significant aspect when trying to determine the value for a meters first 5512 Submariner.

[laurpi]

This is the best picture I can get. If I decide to buy, it will be easier to share better ones...

[Dan S]

Insert also replaced, and probably the hands. Value is cut in half, more or less.

[jerseybean]

It's a franken watch that is likely made up of parts. I see them on eBay all the time. I made the mistake of buying a watch like this in the beginning; it's worth the extra time and money to find a good watch that you can enjoy while also knowing that you can trade it up for or sell without issue. There are a ton of great dealers on this board that post - also a list of them on here as well.

As for the Franken watch I owned, it took me a year to find a meter's first correct hands, dial, then and so on.

[laurpi]

Thank you all 4 for giving me your opinion. From what I had read, replacing the dial and hands on a Ref. 5512 was a relatively standard operation until the mid-1970s. The watchmaker who sells it seems serious, but the price of the watch intrigued me as "cheap" ($15,000).

I'm much more familiar with Daytona and GMT Master. I'm looking to buy my first Submariner. It won't be this one after all!

[tekno]

That thing is rough. Not sure what the case looked like originally but it’s missing a lot of metal.

You would be better off buying a super nice later ft first 5513, honestly you would be better off buying anything that has original parts. Box and papers has no real value in this case. Watch is effed.

You would be stuck with that one forever.


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[Kingface66]

Originally Posted by laurpi

Thank you all 4 for giving me your opinion. From what I had read, replacing the dial and hands on a Ref. 5512 was a relatively standard operation until the mid-1970s. The watchmaker who sells it seems serious, but the price of the watch intrigued me as "cheap" ($15,000).

I'm much more familiar with Daytona and GMT Master. I'm looking to buy my first Submariner. It won't be this one after all!

Some sucker is going to buy that for $15,000.
Don’t let it be you.