Rolex 5512 gilt 4 line chapter ring - the Mack Daddy of the 5512's

Jan 01, 2015,04:33 AM
 

This is one of those reference watches that have great appeal with the vintage Rolex collectors. In pristine condition it gives all of the pleasures The gentleman's tool watch promises. The substantial feel it provides on the wrist while the glistening glossy dial provides an air of sophistication.

Where better to picture a Rolex 5512 Submariner but at sea.

Best wishes for 2015.

Bill







More posts: 55125512 GiltGiltSubmariner

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It is a pleasure to share with you the old watches. Or should we say grand dame.

 
 By: Bill : January 1st, 2015-04:41
Best wishes for 2015. Health and happiness. Bill

A little gloss goes a long way.

 
 By: Bill : January 1st, 2015-05:42
Best wishes for 2015. Bill

Rolex - just add water.

 
 By: Bill : January 1st, 2015-08:45
Guaranteed for maximum enjoyment. Best for 2015. Bill

Beautiful gilt Bill one of my favourites

 
 By: johnnya : January 1st, 2015-08:34
Happy New Year Regards John

Hard not to fall for this one.

 
 By: Bill : January 1st, 2015-08:51
Did you notice the crown shape on the dial? Best for 2015 Bill

If I could only have...

 
 By: Anatol : January 1st, 2015-09:14
...one vintage Rolex, it would be this! There is everything in it! Bill, enjoy your watches and your life to the fullest in 2015 and beyond!

Very kind if you.

 
 By: Bill : January 2nd, 2015-08:53
Hope to hear and share more of your thoughts. Bill

Beyond words pal

 
 By: shou.biao.kuang : January 2nd, 2015-09:57
This piece is perfect! Look at the patina, matches throughout, the lume, the hands etc... The dial looks flawless (at least to my eyes)! and it is a rare piece the least to say... Enjoy this in good health Bill. Thanks for sharing such a great time piece,... 

Excellent observation. I will add one thing.

 
 By: Bill : January 2nd, 2015-10:22
It is not widely know but this is a rare crown on the dial known as a tulip crown. Bill

Tulip Crown?

 
 By: shou.biao.kuang : January 3rd, 2015-10:35
Tulip Crown? Thanks Bill. I have learned something new today, or in fact, everyday something new on vintage Rolex! LOL Actually, I wanted to ask if the coronet is a "Frog Leg" coronet that was spotted on the 1655 (I think??). Good thing I didn't, else wou... 

The only dumb questions are.....

 
 By: Bill : January 3rd, 2015-11:09
The ones you don\'t ask. The tulip is a little like the bart simpson on mid 1960\'s gilt 5513. The bart is a little less elegant hence the tulip designation. Bill

Thank Bill :)

 
 By: shou.biao.kuang : January 4th, 2015-06:57
So mid 60s Gilt Dial 5513 aside, the Tulip Crown can be found in a 5512 too? Gilt Dial and mid 60s as well? thanks Bill.

Tulip vs standard crown Rolex 5512 4 line gilt.

 
 By: Bill : January 3rd, 2015-13:49
This picture helps to illustrate the two crown shapes of the rolex 5512 4 line. The tulip is quite rare never see another in person. On the left tulip right is the standard. Bill 5512 gilt four line ...  

Tulip crown...

 
 By: shou.biao.kuang : January 4th, 2015-06:44
Thanks Bill for the explanation and letting us have the benefit of your knowledge, excellent as always. Putting both side by side, immediately the difference in the coronet becomes obvious.. really a nice piece you have there Bill. Wear it in good health ... 

not sure but...

 
 By: 19615512 : March 24th, 2015-18:31
hard to tell from picture but does not look as "flat" as the tulip coronets i have seen, or that as on my 61 sub. again not a great pic to tell from, but i trust you can tell from your end.

tulip crown?

 
 By: 19615512 : March 27th, 2015-11:55
better pic of that specific tulip crown sub in this pic? Does not look as "flat" on top as others? thanks!

Not sure which tulip crown you are referring to

 
 By: Bill : March 27th, 2015-14:27
Here is another picture of mine based on the first in the tread. It is pretty clear. Bill ...  

its the tulip crown identified on the left of that pic,,,

 
 By: 19615512 : March 28th, 2015-12:47
that shows a side by side comparison, that doesn't look that "flat" on top. must be angle, light, crystal etc. sorry for confusion

tulip crown?

 
 By: 19615512 : November 1st, 2015-07:38
Interesting, doesn't look as "flat" as most tulip crowns I've seen.

Not sure which watch of the various 5512 show you think is not tulip.

 
 By: Bill : November 1st, 2015-08:10
Here is the one that is a Rolex 5512 tulip dial. You can clearly see the shape of the crown. Bill ...  

Not sure which watch of the various 5512 show you think is not tulip.

 
 By: 19615512 : November 1st, 2015-08:42
sorry, I don't doubt its tulip, but, its the side by side comparison pic you posted that the crown does not look as flat. certainly not as distinctly flat as the "water shot pic", to my aging eyes anyway. shows how pictures can be deceiving. thanks

Looking back at the images they may be mislabled.

 
 By: Bill : November 1st, 2015-09:05
the one in question is the one over the water shot. I do have another 4 line non tulip which I think is pictured so you are right I will have to retake the picture because what was shown was a non chapter by the chapter but my goal was to have two chapter...  

Rolex 5512 gilt 4 line chapter ring...don't know what that means....

 
 By: Clueless_Collector : January 5th, 2015-17:32
but it sure sounds sophisticated and looks good. Congratulations for owning this nice vintage. All the best in 2015. Rgds Raymond

Some simple answers

 
 By: Bill : January 5th, 2015-17:58
Gilt refers to the gold writing on the dial which does include silver as such it two color gilt. 4 line is simply 4 lines of text above 6 o'clock there are models with two lines of text usually you don't call out two lines but you do 4 lines. Chapter ring... 

What an amazing and pristine 4 line 5512

 
 By: arluha : January 5th, 2015-18:40
I think the tulip crown were only produced in 61, if I'm not mistaken. Gilt 4 line 5512, Chapter Ring, PCG is one of my all time favorite Subs. Enjoy it in good health. All best, Leon

You hit it on the nail

 
 By: Bill : January 5th, 2015-18:57
1961 is correct. Not too many around so hard to say never with Rolex. Bill

The tulip...... amazing pc Bill

 
 By: Iceman : January 7th, 2015-04:07
4 liners 5512 is one of the most sought after sub. Yours is simply gorgeous. mine is only a 2 liner with same tulip crown. Hope you hv a great 2015 Bill Best iceman ...  

While you are at it AND if you want to bury me, you should...

 
 By: amanico : January 7th, 2015-04:25
Take some time to have a nice photo session. And post it.... ;) Best, Nicolas

Yes, please do so. [nt]

 
 By: amanico : January 7th, 2015-06:52

Your Chocolate 2 line 5512 is a killer

 
 By: Bill : January 7th, 2015-09:39
That is a real beauty without a doubt. Best wishes to you for 2015. Looking forward to sharing more. Bill

Tropical dial

 
 By: shou.biao.kuang : January 7th, 2015-21:53
Hi Iceman, A Tropical dial I assume? Nicely and smoothly faded. I have seen a few tropical dials over the years but most look like they had peeled off over time with very rough surface- like dial (like the road tar !). And yours (to my amaturish eyes at l... 

Hi there

 
 By: Iceman : January 10th, 2015-07:09
i hv not scientific reason why my tropicaldial is smooth and even . Each dial change color differently. Mine just happens to "AGED" perfectly. Best Iceman

Aged gracefully...

 
 By: shou.biao.kuang : January 11th, 2015-08:57
Hi, You beautiful timepiece lends a new meaning to this term, age gracefully. Looks like a watch's dial is just like human, some aged "horrendously", others gracefully LOL enjoy it in the best of health ;-)

I love this watch Bill!! Four liner and chapter ring gives this ...

 
 By: Subexplorer : January 7th, 2015-10:20
... particular early version a very special and charming look. Your particular example is wonderful! I wish I could find one in such a condition and same characteristics some day. Not easy I know! But of course a jewel in any Rolex Submariner collection w... 

The early 5512 have a lot of charm for sure

 
 By: Bill : January 7th, 2015-18:24
The hunt is always long and luck need to be on your side. I am very happy to the set. while they are very close they have a very differnt feel unlike some other watches in my collection which are mirror duplicates. Best wishes to you and health and prospe... 

4 lines tulip crown ???

 
 By: marcello pisani : March 25th, 2015-11:49
f.. ing rare indeed !! probably rare as the earliest 4 lines ( " all silver " ) like this : please note the damned Beyeler coronet , very famous nowadays ..LOL LOL LOL ...  

Very nice rolex 5512 gilt

 
 By: Bill : March 25th, 2015-15:19
And all silver looking like a queen. Love to see and hear more. Bill

amazing [nt]

 
 By: logan : March 28th, 2015-18:33

Beauty Bill ---ENJOY. [nt]

 
 By: pastaboy1939 : November 1st, 2015-10:16

It is a pleasure on the wrist.

 
 By: Bill : November 1st, 2015-10:32
Have a great weekend. Bill

Beautiful background for a most beautiful timepiece Bill! A 5512 with...

 
 By: Subexplorer : November 2nd, 2015-05:31
... gloss dial, gilt, chapter ring and 4 lines epitomizes the spirit of the first crown guards Submariner. It is one of the grails of a Sub collection in my opinion. A version I have been coveting for long and very elusive to me as they are very very rare... 

Thank you for the kind words

 
 By: Bill : November 2nd, 2015-07:20
It is true the 5512 gilt chapter 4 line has a lot of charm but the 2 line chapter is a great also. B0th are hard to find in great condition. I would also say the same of most gilt even non chapter when in pristine condition are fetching a very high price ... 

Thank you so much for your kind comments Bill! Though I usually like the cleaner dials of the two lines watches, in the particular case of the reference...

 
 By: Subexplorer : November 2nd, 2015-11:35
... 5512 I like the four lines best. I also love the first series with chapter ring. I already own a 5512 two lines with chapter ring, but its dial is a so called "tiger" with patina. I would love to find a completely pristine gloss, gilt, chapter ring fo...