Year: Circa 1961
Reference No: 5512
Movement No: 17'126
Case No: 693'708, inside caseback stamped II.61
Model Name: Submariner "Exclamation Mark Pointed Crown Guard"
Material: Stainless steel
Calibre: Automatic, cal. 1530, 25 jewels
Bracelet/Strap: Stainless steel Rolex Oyster bracelet, max length 200mm
Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Rolex deployant clasp
Accessories: Accompanied by Rolex guarantee dated September 21, 1961.
First released in 1953, the Submariner was released under references 6200, 6204, and 6205. Revolutionary for the period, these dive watches display center seconds and a black lacquer dial, along with an Oyster case ensuring water resistance. Eventually, Rolex decided to upgrade existing models and incorporated crown guards with the reference 5512 for better protection. Furthermore, a chronometer movement was assigned to the reference 5512, ensuring greater precision and thus the models display a movement number.
Like many intricacies of collecting vintage Rolex wristwatches, the various iterations of crown guards have developed their own nicknames and followings as the design evolved. The earliest were square-shaped, of which it is estimated very few exist. It is speculated that criticism of the bulky square crown guard prompted Rolex to modify the cases they had in stock, giving rise to the “eagle beak” crown guard. Finally, Rolex produced cases with unobtrusive pointed crown guards (sometimes abbreviated by collectors as PCG), as found on the present example. These early Submariners were fitted with stunning black glossy dials and featured either two or four lines of text at 6 o’clock with gilt printing in either silver or gold (or both). By the late-1960s, the crown guards were changed to a rounder design that is still in use today.
The highlight of this example is without a doubt the stunning, nearly perfectly preserved glossy “exclamation mark” dial, featuring an incredibly smooth and shiny surface. Incredibly mirror-like and very impressive in appearance, the present dial is a sight to behold with the luminous material being intact. These dials were produced only for a short period of time in around 1961 and are defined by the minuscule dot of luminous material present under the 6 o’clock hour marker.
Reuniting the aesthetic pleasure of watch collecting with its most intellectual aspect, the present glossy Exclamation Mark dial, Pointed Crown Guard 5512 is without a doubt a gem for the avid collector of fine, particular and uncommon timepieces.