5508 originality

[r14]

I have been looking for a clean original 5508 for a while, and this one caught my eyes. The seller claims its totally original condition except later bracelet. I would appreciate your opinions on this. Thank you

[Nicko]

It look nice to me...I'm sure others will be here to give a better opinion than me.

[SubKing]

the rotor is all wrong... i wouldn't touch that one.

[jedly1]

rotor is fine.

the hands are the shorter minute 5513/2 versions .. the dial is from 1961/2 period .. exclamation dial... not a 58.

the insert is obviously changed also and in 58 would have been red triangle..

[onkyo]

I always find the sellers description interesting..... 'original condition' , not 'original'.

[SubKing]

this is a picture of the rotor he has listed.


this picture is of a rolex that has the rotor i'm used to seeing on all vintage rolex pre 1969.


see the difference

[stevemulholland3]

spot on Jed!

[r14]

Wow!!
What a amazing eye and knowledge you guys have.Thank you so much for the education. I might be wrong but I have seen some 58' 1530 movement w/similar but tear drop shape cut out rotor?

[jedly1]

Originally Posted by SubKing

this is a picture of the rotor he has listed.


this picture is of a rolex that has the rotor i'm used to seeing on all vintage rolex pre 1969.


see the difference

the rotor on top is an early 15** series rotor... the other is 10** series rotor.

the 5508 and 5510 were the new and improved models with the launched 1530 series movt in 1958.

[r14]

I am sorry to ask more question,But Rolex started to use 1530 move from 58'?

[jedly1]

yes the whole point of the the 5510 and 5508 was the introduction of the new series 1530 movement..thats what made them different from the 6536 and 6538.... obviously it was mk1 of the movemnt and it was then improved on over time until the mid 60's when it was faded out.

[sapphire65]

r14- Vintage Subs are amongst the hardest of Rolexes to 'decipher" when being shown one for sale. Totally original examples are almost impossible to find, as most were put to hard use.

There is an excellent reference guide called "Vintage Rolex Sports Models" by Martin Skeet & Nick Urul, in which they cover the entire evolution of the Sub,
with pictures, starting on page 19. It is definitely worth checking out before
making a major purchase.

sapphire65

[r14]

Thank you very much for info and reference.I will get the book.

[therolexguy]

Originally Posted by jedly1

yes the whole point of the the 5510 and 5508 was the introduction of the new series 1530 movement..thats what made them different from the 6536 and 6538.... obviously it was mk1 of the movemnt and it was then improved on over time until the mid 60's when it was faded out.

...but doesn't the 6536-1 also have the 1530 movement? It was the chronometer version of the previous movement, no? I'm not sure, just asking the questions. Thanks.

[jedly1]

Originally Posted by therolexguy

...but doesn't the 6536-1 also have the 1530 movement? It was the chronometer version of the previous movement, no? I'm not sure, just asking the questions. Thanks.

no the 6536-1 has the `1030 but it is a chronometer rated version of it, whereas the standard 6536 isnt.

[therolexguy]

Originally Posted by jedly1

no the 6536-1 has the `1030 but it is a chronometer rated version of it, whereas the standard 6536 isnt.

That's it. I knew it was different. Thanks for the clarification.

[SubKing]

this talk is way above my head! lol

[T5AUS]

Great info Jed, thanks