Rolex 5512 Gilt Chapter Ring Serial Guide
Vintage

Rolex 5512 Gilt Chapter Ring Serial Guide

By Bill · Aug 6, 2019 · 22 replies
Bill
WPS member · Rolex forum
22 replies20306 views26 photos
f 𝕏 in 💬 🔗

Bill provides a meticulous report on the Rolex 5512 Gilt Chapter Ring Submariner, focusing on serial number ranges from 1959 to 1963. This detailed analysis, based on a sample set and validated by case back dates, offers crucial insights for collectors seeking to understand the nuances of this iconic vintage reference. His work helps clarify the parallel production of 2-line and 4-line chapter rings and the evolution of dial configurations.

 

I wanted to take a moment and catalog a range of Rolex 5512 serial numbers beyond the known Rolex serial range reports.  The focus is narrowly on Rolex 5512 Gilt Chapter Ring Pointed crown guard from the period 1959 – 1963.  The idea was not have all the answers but to build a report based on a sample set which is included below.  We know the Square crown guards with MK1 dials are the earliest.  I did not have any examples to catalog  but we can assume that they are from the 1959 period. I have seen early MK1 dials in PCG 5xx,xxx serial range.  Also this report is using the case back date as the true validation of the serial range as it is the most reliable. Even with papers watches can be sold long after production  and cosc could have stamped the movement papers prior to being in the final assembled case.  Of course there can be mismatched case backs to serial range but you can use the list below as guide.  So that means if you have 600,xxx serial range with III.63 it is most likely mismatched as would a 99x,xxx with a I.60 case back.  We have no official Rolex tables that give us dates and serial ranges so we can only build based off of sample sets and first-hand experience.

 

I did notice that the 2 line and 4 line Chapter ring  are not consecutive but run in parallel.  So you can have a Rolex 5512 CR 2 line in 1961 as easily as a 4 line in 1961 same case in 1962.  I did not have a big enough sample to extrapolate into 1963 as most in the sample where 2 line in 1963. The earliest 5512 4 line chapter ring are the MK1 dial from 1959.

 

The reference model number 5512 was placed on top above registered design on the early models up to 5xx,xxx to 1961 and placed at the bottom in 1961 from the 6xx,xxx.

 

I do not have a sample but have read reference to 478,xxx III.59 being one of the earliest cases serial range. And the dial that was on the watch was a Tulip dial 2 line chapter ring Pointed crown guard.

 

The Tulip dial (Shape of the crown is flat across the top) in the two line configuration is more common than the Rolex 5512 Tulip dial in 4 lines.  While I found several Tulip 2 line in the 1961 range I only found one or two 4 line Tulip in the 1962 range as they are less common.

 

I would also say that is more common to find the Rolex 5512 2 line with exclamation point between 1961 and 1963 than to find them without the exclamation point based on the sample set.

 

This sample set has 14 Rolex 5512 gilt 2 line and 8 Rolex 5512 4 line Chapter ring.  While this small sample implies almost 2 to 1 two line vs four line I think the ratio is more like 1 in 5 would be 4 line or less just based on personal experience. There was an additional cost for the cosc so it may explain this difference.

 

The cover picture shows two great examples 5512 MK1dial from 1959 and the 5512 4 line chapter Tulip dial PCG from 1962.

 

 

 

 

      Year

Brand

   Model

Style

serial

Caseback

1959

Rolex

5512

4 line

554,xxx

III.59

1959

Rolex

5512

4 LINE

55x,xxx

III.59

1960

Rolex

5512

2 line

577,xxx

II.60

1961

Rolex

5512

Tulip/2 line

578,xxx

II.61

1961

Rolex

5512

2 line

661,xxx

I.61

1961

Rolex

5512

2 line

661,XXX

I.61

1961

Rolex

5512

4 line

693,xxx

II.61

1961

Rolex

5512

4 line

693,xxx

II.61

1961

Rolex

5512

2 line

693,XXX

II.61

1961

Rolex

5512

4 line

693,XXX

II.61

1961

Rolex

5512

4 LINE

69x,xxx

II.61

1962

Rolex

5512

4 LINE

764,xxx

I.62

1962

Rolex

5512

2 LINE

765,xxx

I.62

1962

Rolex

5512

4 LINE

765,xxx

I.62

1962

Rolex

5512

4 line

819,xxx

III.62

1962

Rolex

5512

4 line

819,XXX

III.62

1962

Rolex

5512

2 line

876,XXX

IV.62

1962

Rolex

5512

2 line

87x,xxx

IV.62

1962

Rolex

5512

2 line

87x,xxx

IV.62

1963

Rolex

5512

2 line

891,xxx

II.63

1963

Rolex

5512

2 line

89x,xx

II.63

1963

Rolex

5512

4 line non CR

89x,xxx

II.63

1963

Rolex

5512

Ex 2 line

990,xxx

III.63

1963

Rolex

5512

Ex 2 line

990,xxx

III.63

1963

Rolex

5512

Ex 2 line

99x,xxx

III.63

 

 

 

                  



1961 Rolex Submariner 5512     PCG with Tropical Gilt Chapter Ring 2 Line Dial

661,XXX   1.61 caseback

 

 



1963 Rolex Submariner 5512 PCG with Gilt Glossy Chapter Ring Dial

891,XXX  11.63 caseback

 

 

 



1962 Rolex Submariner 5512 PCG with Gilt Glossy Chapter Ring Dial

 

819,XXX 111.62 caseback

 

 

 



1961 Rolex Submariner 5512 PCG 2 Line "Tulip Crown" Gilt Chapter Ring Dial

 

578,XXX  11.61 Tulip dial.

 

 

 



1963 Rolex Submariner 5512 PCG Gilt Glossy Chapter Ring Dial

 

990,xxx  111.63  exclamation

 

 

 



1963 Rolex Submariner 5512 PCG with Gilt Glossy Chapter Ring Dial

 

990,xxx  111.63  exclamation

 

 

 



1961 Rolex Submariner 5512 PCG Gilt Chapter Ring Dial

 

693,xxx    11.61 caseback

 

 

 



1960's Rolex Submariner 5512 PCG Gilt Chapter Ring Dial

 

 

 

 



1962 Rolex Submariner 5512 PCG with Gilt Glossy Chapter Ring Chocolate Tropical Dial

 

87x,xxx   IV.62 caseback

 

 

 



1961 Rolex Submariner 5512 PCG Gilt 4 Line Chapter Ring Dial

 

693,xxx II.61 caseback

 

 

 



1962 Rolex Submariner 5512 PCG with Gilt 4 Line Chapter Ring Dial

 

819,xxx III.62 caseback

 

 

 



1961 Rolex Submariner 5512 PCG with Gilt Chapter Ring Exclamation Dial

 

661,xxx I.61 caseback

 

 

 



1961 Rolex Submariner 5512 with Gilt Chapter Ring Exclamation Dial

 

693,xxx II.61 caseback

 

 

 



1961 Rolex Submariner 5512 PCG with 4 Line Chapter Ring Dial

 

693,xxx II.61 caseback    

 

 

 



1959 Rolex Submariner 5512 4 Line Gilt Chapter Ring PCG Tropical Dial

 

554,xxx III.59 caseback

 

 

 



1962 Rolex Submariner 5512 PCG with Gilt Glossy Chapter Ring Dial

 

765,xxx

 

 

 



1962 Rolex Submariner 5512 PCG with Gilt Glossy Chapter Ring Dial

                                                                                      

876,xxx IV.62 caseback

 

 

 



1959 Rolex Submariner 5512 PCG with Tropical Chapter ring dial

                                                                                               

554,xxx III.59 caseback

 

 

 



1963 Rolex Submariner 5512 PCG with 4 line gilt non chapter ring dial

 

89x,xxx  II.63 caseback        

 

 

 



1963 Rolex Submariner 5512 PCG with 4 line gilt non chapter ring dial

 

89x,xxx II.63 caseback

 

 

 



1963 Rolex Submariner 5512 PCG with Glossy Chapter Ring Dial

 

99x,xxx III.63 caseback

 

 

 



1962 Rolex Submariner 5512 PCG with 4    line chapter ring dial

765,XXX 

 

 

 



1961 Rolex Submariner 5512 PCG with 4 line chapter ring exclamation dial

 

69x,xxx  II.61 caseback

 

 

 



1962 Rolex Submariner 5512 PCG with beautiful 4 line 2 color chapter ring

 

764,XXX I.62 caseback

 

 

 



1962 Rolex Submariner 5512 PCG with Chapter Ring Tropical Dial

 

87x,xxx IV.62 caseback 

 

 

 

 

Source: All pictures in this report come from HQ Milton a well-respected Vintage Rolex site and great resource.

 





Rolex 5512 mk1 and Rolex 5512 Tulip dial chapter ring


About the Rolex Submariner Ref. 5512

Rolex Submariner Reference 5512

The Submariner reference 5512 represents Rolex's no-date variant within the Submariner series. Distinguished by its clean dial layout without date complication, this reference was produced from 1962 to 1989, spanning nearly three decades of manufacturing.

The 40mm stainless steel case houses either caliber 1560 or 1570 automatic movements, providing 42-48 hours of power reserve. The watch features a black dial, unidirectional rotating bezel with aluminum insert, and acrylic crystal. Water resistance extends to 200 meters, with the watch fitted to a stainless steel bracelet.

This reference appeals to collectors seeking the fundamental Submariner aesthetic without date functionality. The extended production period and dual caliber usage create multiple variations within the 5512 designation. The no-date configuration offers symmetrical dial proportions that attract purists within the collecting community.

Specifications

Caliber
1560/1570
Case
Stainless steel
Diameter
40 mm
Dial
Black
Water Resist.
200m
Crystal
Acrylic

Key Points from the Discussion

Advertisement
The Discussion
AM
amanico
Nov 24, 2016

Before jumping on a 5512 / 13 from this era. I am so in love with the Tiger dial. When I think that I hesitated to jump on that one... Best, my friend. Nicolas

BI
Bill
Nov 24, 2016

Really nice 3 lines of silver on gold. You can see it still has the gloss over the wringles vs the other that lost the gloss.

SU
Subexplorer
Nov 24, 2016

... for this most interesting and beautiful Submariner reference: 5512. Thank you so much for sharing with us this important information for collectors! Cheers! Abel.

BL
blomman Mr Blue
Nov 24, 2016

Great way to build up a library! Thank you for taking your time. Best Blomman

BI
Bill
Nov 24, 2016

There are a lot of reports that reference watches but the connection is lost. As one distinct report i hope this helps. Bill

MA
mahesh
Nov 24, 2016

a good ref. guide for vintage buyers too ! thanks for sharing Bill !! Best, mahesh.,

Advertisement

Continue the conversation

This thread is active on the Rolex forum with 22 replies. Share your knowledge with fellow collectors.

Join the Discussion →