A Christie's specialist may contact you to discuss this lot or to notify you if the condition changes prior to the sale.
Lot Essay
This Submariner reference 5512 is the watch many collectors dream about finding. It retains its 1966 charm through its well preserved case, original bezel insert, original dial and hands, and original bracelet. The four-line matte dial is in excellent condition and the bottom two lines are a charming blue-grey color. The case retains its original bevels and is full. The original expanding rivet bracelet is in good condition.
The hand-etched numbers to the back of the lug are very neat. In addition to these numbers, the movement is marked "ROW," indicating the watch was imported to the U.S. The bracelet is marked "C+I" to note that it was produced in either the U.S. or Mexico. Tiffany & Co. retailed Rolex watches during this period and it is likely that this watch was sold by Tiffany & Co. given these factors.
This watch is offered from the family of the original owner. It presents a special opportunity to obtain the increasingly hard to find good condition 5512 Submariner.
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Condition report
A Christie's specialist may contact you to discuss this lot or to notify you if the condition changes prior to the sale.
The condition of lots can vary widely and the nature of the lots sold means that they are unlikely to be in a perfect condition. Lots are sold in the condition they are in at the time of sale.
The case is in excellent condition and appears to only have been lightly polished. The numbers are clear between the lugs. The bevels are visible and the lugs retain their feet. The case has light scratches and the lug at 5 o'clock has a small nick. The back of the lug is engraved by hand "D59674." The case back is in good condition with light scratches and some shallow, small divots. It appears there was once a light engraving to the case back. The inside of the case back is marked "5513" and "IV.66" indicating its production in the third quarter of 1966. The crown on the watch is a replacement. The original crown is included with the lot. The bezel insert, dial and hands are in excellent condition and appear to be original. The luminous material in the hands and at the hour markers has darkened with age, but match. The bottom two lines of the dial are a blue-grey. The rivet bracelet is original to the watch and is marked "I, 67" indicating its production in the first quarter of 1967. The bracelet is also marked "C+I" indicating its production in the U.S. or Mexico. The bracelet has scratches throughout, stretch, and appears to have been lightly polished. The movement is marked "ROW," which is a US importation code. The movement is in working order at the time of cataloging, consistent with the age of the watch. The movement has not been tested for accuracy. A service is recommended given the age of the watch.