Rolex Submariner – The icon of Rolex tool watches, especially if it comes in variant fitted with a  “glossy” black “2-Liner” dial with chapter ring and square crown guards, such as the present Ref. 5512 from 1959.  

The very well preserved case showing only slight polishing, demonstrated by the well-defined facets to the lugs. The matching bezel insert is extremly nice with an aged appeal exuding a greyish tint developed over time with its red triangle and pearl intact.

The glossy black dial is in attractive, unrestored condition, with only very minor wear at 6 and 12 o’clock, where to its back side the dial feet are positioned. Probably caused by improper handling by a watchmaker. The luminous markers have aged nicely and matching the original “flat” hands tone, further enhancing the look of this rare watch.

And last but not least the riveted bracelet is the much sought after “big Rolex logo”, named after the large and intricate flourish design on the clasp, with ‘58’ endlinks, all correct for the period and the model. 

Rolex launched the Ref. 5512 in 1959 as the first model with a crown guard. An essential upgrade that should become common on future Submariner models to better protect the crown while diving. Early examples of the reference featured square crown guards and believed by scholars that around 100 examples were manufactured. However, through further testing, it was realized that square crown guards proved inefficiency for diver’s to adjust the crown while gloved. To solve this issue, the firm re-polished examples with square crown guards with a more tapered style and dubbed as the eagle beak crown guard. It is believed that out of the 100 examples initially produced, only a handful of examples were retained with the square crown guards, making them extremely rare. 

The present Ref. 5512 “Square Sub” with its attractive and well preserved dial, case and bracelet “all matching” configuration offers an affordable entry into Rolex Submariner collecting.