Vintage 1958 Rolex Oyster Perpetual Submariner 5508 - Tropical Dial - To Restore
Item History & Price
Vintage 1958 Rolex Oyster Perpetual Submariner 5508 - Tropical Dial, Stainless Steel - To Restore
I'm re-listing this watch with more photographs and additional information about its dial and condition.
If you’re a collector of Rolex timepieces, this Rolex Submariner 5508 will be a centerpiece of your collection. Not only can you own one of the most sought after Rolex Submariners, you will feel the pride of preserving a piece of Rolex history.
I am offe...ring it for sale “as-is.” The watch is missing the winding rotor assembly (including the bridge) and crown. The rotor assembly used on the 5508 was used on more common Rolex models, so it's not actually very expensive. A watchmaker estimated that the cost of the replacement parts would be less than $1000. I was able to wind the watch a little from the gear train and it did run. I was unable to test whether the watch can be set or keeps accurate time. I imagine that, in addition to the parts, it will need a general cleaning.
Obviously, the most interesting part of the watch is the dial. The dial has a rather stunning patina caused by moisture + sun + time. The dial has a heavy “orange peel” texture. consistent with moisture exposure. The heavy texturing is across the entire dial. There are small pinpricks of paint loss in a handful of places.
A watchmaker tested the watch with a geiger counter and did not detect radioactivity. In 1958, the dial and hands would've been painted with radium, meaning that the lume was re-done at some point. The hands and hour markers glow very, very faintly when charged, then fade after about ten seconds. The dial markers are 3-dimensional like they’re supposed to be. Someone did a very, very good job.
The bezel shows heavy wear and does not turn due to decades of crud stuck under it.
Markings on the Watch:
Inside of the case:
Montres Rolex S.A. Geneva SwitzerlandPatentedStainless Steel 5508III 1958
Scratched by a watchmaker: “8-5-66”
Marks on the Movement:
41485ROW
The Dial:
Rolex Oyster Perpetual 100m = 330ftSUBMARINERSwiss
In Between Bottom Lugs: 5508 Registered Design
In Between Top Lugs: 488xxx
This watch is sold as-is for a restoration project.
Please message me with any questions. This watch will be shipped via registered mail, the most secure option. You must pay within 48 hours.
I'm re-listing this watch with more photographs and additional information about its dial and condition.
If you’re a collector of Rolex timepieces, this Rolex Submariner 5508 will be a centerpiece of your collection. Not only can you own one of the most sought after Rolex Submariners, you will feel the pride of preserving a piece of Rolex history.
I am offe...ring it for sale “as-is.” The watch is missing the winding rotor assembly (including the bridge) and crown. The rotor assembly used on the 5508 was used on more common Rolex models, so it's not actually very expensive. A watchmaker estimated that the cost of the replacement parts would be less than $1000. I was able to wind the watch a little from the gear train and it did run. I was unable to test whether the watch can be set or keeps accurate time. I imagine that, in addition to the parts, it will need a general cleaning.
Obviously, the most interesting part of the watch is the dial. The dial has a rather stunning patina caused by moisture + sun + time. The dial has a heavy “orange peel” texture. consistent with moisture exposure. The heavy texturing is across the entire dial. There are small pinpricks of paint loss in a handful of places.
A watchmaker tested the watch with a geiger counter and did not detect radioactivity. In 1958, the dial and hands would've been painted with radium, meaning that the lume was re-done at some point. The hands and hour markers glow very, very faintly when charged, then fade after about ten seconds. The dial markers are 3-dimensional like they’re supposed to be. Someone did a very, very good job.
The bezel shows heavy wear and does not turn due to decades of crud stuck under it.
Markings on the Watch:
Inside of the case:
Montres Rolex S.A. Geneva SwitzerlandPatentedStainless Steel 5508III 1958
Scratched by a watchmaker: “8-5-66”
Marks on the Movement:
41485ROW
The Dial:
Rolex Oyster Perpetual 100m = 330ftSUBMARINERSwiss
In Between Bottom Lugs: 5508 Registered Design
In Between Top Lugs: 488xxx
This watch is sold as-is for a restoration project.
Please message me with any questions. This watch will be shipped via registered mail, the most secure option. You must pay within 48 hours.
