1959 Rolex Submariner ref. 5508 “Small Crown, Gilt Tropical Dial”

Up for grabs is a Rolex Submariner “Small Crown”

This watch was recently found and is fresh-to-market. The crystal had some scratches and crazing. A light buff on the crystal was the only thing that was done prior to the sale. Everything else is exactly as found from original owner family. Nothing is swapped, polished, changed, or relumed on this one.

Reference 5508

490,XXX serial number circa 1959 production

Excellent vintage condition case with thick and even lugs. The factory chamfers are still present, though the watch has been polished in the past. The numbers between the lugs are legible with minor wear form the bracelet end-links.

Dial is original, glossy with perfectly intact lume on plots and hands. Fantastic condition of the lacquer. Under a loupe, you can see there is browning, but I wouldn’t call this tropical. No spidering or matting, it remains very glossy (just look at angled pictures reflections).

Hands are original, gilt with matching patina. No relume, no refinish.

Caseback is original, stamped 5508 inside III.1958

The Cal. 1530 movement has the original “butterfly” rotor still.

Bezel insert is a Long 5.

Watch comes was found and comes on a USA Rivet C&I bracelet with ’62 date. It is in excellent and “tight” condition for its age with 12 links.

No box or papers. No service history. The watch shows +18 seconds with ~250 amplitude.