An iconic model in the Rolex archives, the 5512 represents a point in the history of the Rolex Submariner when the brand’s iconic dive watch first began to take on what would eventually become its contemporary form. Over the course of its 20 years of production, the Submariner 5512 has undergone many improvements, such as a revised crown protector, an improved movement, and an updated dial.
Today, the Submariner 5512 has a strong market among collectors of vintage Rolex replica watches and, as a result, its value continues to rise. However, there are many factors that determine the current value of the Rolex Submariner 5512.
In order to better understand the value of the Rolex Submariner 5512, we must look at how the model has differed historically. Take the crown protector, for example. When this model first appeared, it had a square crown protector, then a pointed crown protector, and finally the round crown protector we all know today.
The dial of Reference 5512 also evolved over the course of its production. Early versions of the Submariner 5512 were equipped with non-Chronometer-certified movements, so they did not have the ubiquitous “Superlative Chronometer Officially Certified” text on the dial. These versions were known as the two-line Submariner 5512 because their glossy black gilt dials had only two lines of text below the hands.
As interest in the vintage Submariner 5512 has grown, more and more people have realized that it is significantly less common than its number 5513 (which is not synchronized). It’s safe to say that the value of the Rolex Submariner 5512 will also continue to rise – at least for the foreseeable future. However, like all vintage fake Rolex watches, it’s not just the vintage and design details that will have a deep impact on the overall value; condition and provenance will always be a factor as well.
Although the vintage Explorer II ref. 1655 is nicknamed “Steve McQueen,” it is not actually the Rolex watch that the actor wore in real life. It goes without saying that the provenance of the watch was a huge factor in the final sales price of this particular Submariner 5512, but thanks to the rise in vintage Rolex prices, Steve McQueen’s Rolex Submariner is no longer the most expensive reference 5512 ever made.