Submariner

The Rolex Submariner reference 5512 stands as one of the most significant iterations of the Submariner line, produced across nearly two decades from 1959 to 1978. Housed in a 40 mm stainless steel case, it introduced the now-iconic four-line crown-signed crown guards that distinguished it from its sibling references. Its long production run encompassed meaningful transitions in dial finishing, movement specification, and printing conventions, making it a richly layered subject for vintage collectors.

The 5512 entered the Rolex catalogue in 1959 as the Submariner gained its mature, crown-guard case architecture, replacing earlier references that lacked this protective feature. Throughout its production life it was fitted with the automatic Cal. 1560 and later the more refined Cal. 1570, both robust movements well regarded for their reliability in a professional diving context. Early examples featured the sought-after gilt gloss dials with gilt printing, while later production transitioned to matte black dials with white printing, charting the broader aesthetic evolution of Rolex sport references through the 1960s and 1970s. The reference was eventually succeeded as Rolex consolidated and updated its Submariner lineup toward the end of the 1970s.