Submariner 5510

[klou]

Hi all,

I have recently discovered an old Sub that was previously owned by my late Grandfather. It has been boxed in storage for the last 22 years. He collected watches, and this watch was one of many we discovered (although it was by far the most remarkable) very recently. It doesn't currently work.

Assuming it is genuine, learning about this watch has been amazing, and we have appreciated the wealth of knowledge in this forum.

My family want to restore it. We live in Melbourne, Australia, and would love it if anyone has good recommendations of where we should take it to get restored to working, without simply replacing parts like it appears the local RSC would do. Michael from 'Precision Timing' and R Macdonald appear to get good local reviews.

Would it be unadvisable to get the case polished? How about getting the acrylic dome polished? The hands also appear somewhat corroded. We don't know the state of the internals - haven't taken the back off.

Any comments regarding the watch are appreciated, as well as guidance on how we should get it serviced, as well who would be the best man for the job if there are any local Rolex aficionados out there!!

I have also included zip files to download for higher quality.

IMG_1149 reduced size.jpgIMG_1148 reduced size.jpegIMG_1152 reduced size.jpegIMG_1147reduced size.jpeg

IMG_1149.jpg.zip

IMG_1147.jpg.zip

IMG_1148.jpg.zip

IMG_1152.jpg.zip

[alwayshere]

Welcome.

The experts will chime in on this but if indeed genuine, you have quite the family heirloom. The watch is in impeccable condition for its age which is sometimes a red flag but let the eagle eyes confirm.

Would advise not to let RSC touch this as they will likely replace all the valuable parts in this watch. Go independent but would insure the watch first before handing this to anyone.

Good luck

[330ci]

Assuming its real, its still got its original big crown and red triangle insert, is as close to new as I've ever seen. I have no clue who I'd trust to work on this thing. But would likely consider auctioning it off as is and letting someone else risk damaging that dial removing it from the case.

I have no clue how much this watch would bring at auction as I've been out of the loop for a few years, but this is one of the rarest and desirable submariners ever made

[miccro]

welcome - im over in WA

what a watch - again id wait for a few of the experts to chime in, red flags for me would be the condition of Both the case and bezel - ive never seen one so clean - I hope it all checks out and please update us here

[NickD1975]

I don't know enough about these to comment on the originality, but if it were mine I wouldn't touch the hands, bezel, case etc, I'd get the crystal polished to remove the worst scratches and get it serviced by someone who knows vintage Rolex. If it is all correct, I would also get it insured - it's worth a significant amount of money if all OK.

[1675-David]

A first time poster finds a pristine example of a super rare reference is a box left behind by his now passed grandfather...

[klou]

Thanks for the advice all. Impeccable condition was not what I was thinking when I first saw it!! I don't know how long he had it, but presumably he got it in the 80's - I cannot remember him wearing it in the 90's. We don't plan on selling it (want keep it as a family heirloom, and wear it on occasion) so preserving the value isn't the main priority - I want to restore it in a way that respects its heritage, but makes it useable.

[dhknola]

Phillip Ridley is your man.
Amazing watch, your grand Father had great taste, wow!

[Styles Bitchley]

Could this possibly be original?? The case looks brand new. If it is, it’s more than an heirloom. It’s a museum piece.

[fmc000]

If it's all original we're talking about a mid 6-figures watch. I won't touch anything of it.

[shaunylw]

It’s maybe the nicest example i have seen. Springer or one of the other vintage guys would have to comment on originality. If everything checks out, this watch is a big deal.


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[Dr.Smellody]

Fantastic!!

Wow. Amazing heirloom!

[dhknola]

Yeah, if this watch is correct, it is the nicest I have seen on the forum, as said, couple hundred k lil watch right there.

[Mark020]

Originally Posted by dhknola

Phillip Ridley is your man.
Amazing watch, your grand Father had great taste, wow!

Or 2 dozen others. Very nice example IMHO (but let the real expert tell us if it is a legit one)

[southtexas]

I love this place. Wow.

I vote real. And a museum piece. Sky is the limit at auction.


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[Ascari_2]

One thing you can do yourself rather easily and quickly is to test for radiation using a cheap Geiger counter off Amazon. The lume material would have been radium based and should be giving off easily detectable radiation.

[indianmachine]

holy cow if genuine this is an amazing heirloom! Did your grandpa buy it new or used?

[greekbum]

Wow

[330ci]

Originally Posted by klou

Thanks for the advice all. Impeccable condition was not what I was thinking when I first saw it!! I don't know how long he had it, but presumably he got it in the 80's - I cannot remember him wearing it in the 90's. We don't plan on selling it (want keep it as a family heirloom, and wear it on occasion) so preserving the value isn't the main priority - I want to restore it in a way that respects its heritage, but makes it useable.

Could likely buy the whole family a new Rolex and have $$$ left over 😆

[shaunylw]

Originally Posted by 330ci

Could likely buy the whole family a new Rolex and have $$$ left over

Lol uh ya. Phillips sold one at auction for about 100k us with bracelet back in 2015. Things were much softer back then. If solid and original, it would easily surpass that IMO.


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[indianmachine]

Originally Posted by shaunylw

Lol uh ya. Phillips sold one at auction for about 100k us with bracelet back in 2015. Things were much softer back then. If solid and original, it would easily surpass that IMO.


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Not a perfect comparison, but something like this would be the comp

https://www.windvintage.com/rolex-su...538-james-bond

[Juhuatai]

It looks as close as to NOS as you could get....holy shit...if this is real....

[330ci]

Originally Posted by indianmachine

Not a perfect comparison, but something like this would be the comp

https://www.windvintage.com/rolex-su...538-james-bond

https://onlineonly.christies.com/s/w...5510-76/115994

This would be a better comp. I saw a 4 liner like that 10 years ago and the asking price was 60 or 65k then, I thought it was bonkers the jewelry store owner brought it out for me to check out despite knowing I couldn't afford it. Would never have imagined they'd be north of half a mil.

[Jfullm42]

Wow congrats! I've held two, one with a story very similar to yours and one with a redone dial.



Do not send it to Rolex Service, Mike Wood or Beaumont Miller II should chime in, but it looks good to me.



https://www.rolexforums.com/showthre...highlight=5510

[indianmachine]

Originally Posted by 330ci

https://onlineonly.christies.com/s/w...5510-76/115994

This would be a better comp. I saw a 4 liner like that 10 years ago and the asking price was 60 or 65k then, I thought it was bonkers the jewelry store owner brought it out for me to check out despite knowing I couldn't afford it. Would never have imagined they'd be north of half a mil.

Yup agreed, I guess 4-liner makes a big difference

[zapokee]

It does look brand new, but grandpa might just have bought it and put it away.

Don't do anything with it (servicing/polishing etc.) until you've learned more about it. If it's real (and if you're real), it's a significant six-figure auction piece.

Put it in the safe and learn.

[rootbeer7]

I can’t add much but if it is indeed real it is truly superb. Absolutely stunning, and so perfect in design. Rolex, please make this again!!

[joli160]

Whatever you do you make it worse. Sell as is

[klou]

_

[klou]

Originally Posted by zapokee

It does look brand new, but grandpa might just have bought it and put it away.

Don't do anything with it (servicing/polishing etc.) until you've learned more about it. If it's real (and if you're real), it's a significant six-figure auction piece.

Put it in the safe and learn.

Well I am certainly genuine about my post, and I hope the watch is too. I think the advice from yourself and others on this thread is wise - do nothing in a hurry.


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