Rolex Men's Stainless Steel "James Bond" Submariner Wristwatch, ref. 5510, circa 1958. ...

Description

Rolex Men's Stainless Steel "James Bond" Submariner Wristwatch, ref. 5510, circa 1958
Case: 48 x 38 mm, stainless steel, large Oyster case, original non-ratcheting black enameled bezel with red triangle at twelve, rare large 8 mm "Brevet" marked crown, water resistant, No. 362036, model reference 5510, signed "Montres Rolex, S. A. Geneva, Switzerland, patented stainless steel, 5510, 1.1958"
Dial: original black featuring applied luminescent tritium hour indexes, goldtone "Mercedes" hands, white "Baton" center seconds, signed "Rolex Oyster Perpetual 200 m = 660 ft Submariner", plastic crystal
Movement: 25 jewel, caliber 1530, mono-metallic balance with Breguet spring and shock absorber, signed "25 Fine Rubies, Rolex a waterproof black crocodile strap with yellow metal buckle and tang completes the watch
Signed: triple signed Rolex on the dial, movement and case

The 5510 is considered the rarest of the Submariner models. The Submariner went into production in 1953 and was showcased at the Basel Fair a year later. Ian Fleming's James Bond character wore these distinctive "no crown guard" model Subs with the oversize crowns in Dr. No, From Russia With Love, Goldfinger and Thunderball. Collectors generally consider the ref. 6200,6538 A, the thick cased 6538 and the 5510 to be the "Bond" models. The 5510 is by far the rarest and most important for the serious Rolex collector.

Condition Report*:

Type: Rolex rare "James Bond" submariner, Ref.5510, large crown model
Signed: 200m=660 ft
Model: Ref.5510
Dial: original, black, gold lettering, lunimescent marks
Hands; gold and luminescent mercedes,white sweep
Metal: stainless steel
Case No: 362036
Case Info: oyster,rare 8 mm large crown
Case Length: 48 mm
Case Width: 38 mm
Thickness: 15 mm
Crystal: plastic
Watch Movement: cal.1530, "25 fine rubies"
Band: Crocdile
Circa: 1958
Condition: case is very good, some light scratches, bezel is extremely nice for this period,crown is very good, dial very good, some oxidation to the hands, luminescent material is intact, bezel bead at 12 missing. Movement is running and has natural patina
Notes: The rarity of this model and the well preserved state of this example make this watch highly important and desireable.


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