5508 Hunting

[tenerific]

Currently on the hunt for a 5508.

One thing I've noticed about this reference is that prices are all over the place and I'm trying to get a handle on why that is.

I've attached a variety of examples for which the price is between 30 and 80k. Obviously the tropical and red triangle variants are on the higher side of that spectrum.

(And, I know people are crazy for red triangles, but it seems like the reason Rolex discontinued them was that they fade, so I'm not sure they're worth the premium).

Of the non-tropical non-red-triangle versions attached, the price still fluctuates from 30 to 50 and, frankly, I don't understand why. Honestly, all of them seem to have something a little wrong on them so apart from dial condition I'm not seeing something here. They certainly all seem to have been polished!

[tenerific]

(forgot to attach the super tropical)

[roh123]

It’s all about gloss comparing the same configurations. Comparing early and late references is hard as the parts vary a lot in cost. You would want things to be time correct and then early ones are more expensive for obvious reasons.

[Dr.Smellody]

Don't forget blistered moon craters.

[tenerific]

Originally Posted by roh123

It’s all about gloss comparing the same configurations. Comparing early and late references is hard as the parts vary a lot in cost. You would want things to be time correct and then early ones are more expensive for obvious reasons.

Curious if any of these appeal to you more than others? Trying to develop my eye for this reference


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[roh123]

Originally Posted by tenerific

Curious if any of these appeal to you more than others? Trying to develop my eye for this reference


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The last brown one is fun. Neither of the first you post are great. Not bad but not great.

Here’s my old 5508 from -62. The last year. This dial was pretty much close to perfect.

[soicanbefree]

Originally Posted by tenerific

Curious if any of these appeal to you more than others? Trying to develop my eye for this reference


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roh123 really seems to have an eye for or taste for the top 1% of the good gilt stuff

I'm not an expert at all on this reference but I always start dial first above all and work outwards.

I think the dials on #3 and then #2 have the most eye appeal. Crispness of text, black looks decent glossy, etc

Some obvious flaws jump out on the others degrading hands, dial condition, insert damage etc.

[soicanbefree]

Originally Posted by roh123

The last brown one is fun. Neither of the first you post are great. Not bad but not great.

Here’s my old 5508 from -62. The last year. This dial was pretty much close to perfect.

Yeah see compare this to #3 in the first post.

Both being exclamation dials I would guess these were born fairly close to eachother.

You can see how roh123 stands out in every way from insert, case, lugs, pearl, dial, etc to the #3 example.

[roh123]

Originally Posted by soicanbefree

Yeah see compare this to #3 in the first post.

Both being exclamation dials I would guess these were born fairly close to eachother.

You can see how roh123 stands out in every way from insert, case, lugs, pearl, dial, etc to the #3 example.

Hands are changed as well on #2, 3, 5 and possibly #1. Hard to judge from that angle.

[soicanbefree]

Originally Posted by roh123

Hands are changed as well on #2, 3, 5 and possibly #1. Hard to judge from that angle.

What are you looking for to pick out that the hands have been changed?

[roh123]

Originally Posted by soicanbefree

What are you looking for to pick out that the hands have been changed?

Quick tell is that the minute hand is shorter and doesn’t reach the chapter ring.

[tenerific]

I'll add that the 5508 for me has become an acquired taste. People go rah rah rah for the big crowns and the like, but they're sooo thick, not to mention expensive, and a crisp late 5508 without the red triangle is just the epitome of class, imo.

[cwdubya]

I have to say that I really like the look of the 5508 on the jubilee. That looks really cool, visually, to me.

[Costa Rakaro]

Originally Posted by tenerific

I'll add that the 5508 for me has become an acquired taste. People go rah rah rah for the big crowns and the like, but they're sooo thick, not to mention expensive, and a crisp late 5508 without the red triangle is just the epitome of class, imo.

I agree with you

IMG_20190926_152958.jpg

with this chamfers
[ATTACH]IMG_20190924_182327.jpg[/ATTACH]

[Ben39]

Originally Posted by roh123

The last brown one is fun. Neither of the first you post are great. Not bad but not great.

Here’s my old 5508 from -62. The last year. This dial was pretty much close to perfect.

Jet gloss black

[Dr.Smellody]

Originally Posted by tenerific

I'll add that the 5508 for me has become an acquired taste. People go rah rah rah for the big crowns and the like, but they're sooo thick, not to mention expensive, and a crisp late 5508 without the red triangle is just the epitome of class, imo.

Find one yet?

[tenerific]

Originally Posted by Dr.Smellody

Find one yet?

Gonna be a bit!


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[rollingstone]

Is the dial on my 1962 original to the piece?

[waspy1]

Originally Posted by rollingstone

Is the dial on my 1962 original to the piece?

Yes


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