Reference:5508 - Revision history

Admin: Rule 5: remove dealer names from body prose; re-attribute to named authors

2026-08-08T18:01:39Z

Rule 5: remove dealer names from body prose; re-attribute to named authors

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:01, 8 August 2026
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	Production runs 1958 to 1962. Sotheby's and Bonhams catalogues both put the launch in 1958 as the replacement for the 6536/1; Phillips dates the latest production year at 1962 (lot CH080122/160, case 764,524). Le Monde Edmond gives a slightly earlier 1957 launch — capture as the minority view; auction houses converge on 1958.		Production runs 1958 to 1962. Sotheby's and Bonhams catalogues both put the launch in 1958 as the replacement for the 6536/1; Phillips dates the latest production year at 1962 (lot CH080122/160, case 764,524). Le Monde Edmond gives a slightly earlier 1957 launch — capture as the minority view; auction houses converge on 1958.

	Use case-back date codes alongside serials when assigning a build year — Rolex date-coded casebacks separately from serials. Phillips Geneva NINE 2019 lot 213 (case 361,650, "circa 1958") and Bonhams Feb 2018 lot 24627/98 (1959, 6251H rivet bracelet) anchor the launch period; Sotheby's Watches Online 2020 lot 37 (case 489,831, circa 1959) and Antiquorum Geneva 2020 lot 333-422 (case 490,575, circa 1958) populate the early-band cluster. The late cluster sits in the 762k–764k band: Phillips Hong Kong SPORTS 2019 lot 881 (case 762,896, II.62 caseback), Antiquorum Forte Dei Marmi 2021 (case 764,122, 1962), Antiquorum Monaco 2024 (case 764,196, 1962), Phillips Geneva XV 2022 lot 160 (case 764,524, 1962). ~~Bob's~~ general Rolex serial ~~chart~~ (1958 ~224k–328k, 1962 ~643k) under-~~shoots~~ the 5508-observed serials because the head-stamping ran later than the catalog-year for this specific reference.		Use case-back date codes alongside serials when assigning a build year — Rolex date-coded casebacks separately from serials. Phillips Geneva NINE 2019 lot 213 (case 361,650, "circa 1958") and Bonhams Feb 2018 lot 24627/98 (1959, 6251H rivet bracelet) anchor the launch period; Sotheby's Watches Online 2020 lot 37 (case 489,831, circa 1959) and Antiquorum Geneva 2020 lot 333-422 (case 490,575, circa 1958) populate the early-band cluster. The late cluster sits in the 762k–764k band: Phillips Hong Kong SPORTS 2019 lot 881 (case 762,896, II.62 caseback), Antiquorum Forte Dei Marmi 2021 (case 764,122, 1962), Antiquorum Monaco 2024 (case 764,196, 1962), Phillips Geneva XV 2022 lot 160 (case 764,524, 1962). The general Rolex serial charts in circulation (1958 ~224k–328k, 1962 ~643k) under-shoot the 5508-observed serials because the head-stamping ran later than the catalog-year for this specific reference.

	The 5508 belongs entirely to the gilt era — glossy black lacquer with gilt-coloured printing — through to the 1962 exclamation-dial transition that closes out production.		The 5508 belongs entirely to the gilt era — glossy black lacquer with gilt-coloured printing — through to the 1962 exclamation-dial transition that closes out production.
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	=== Four-line "SCOC" gilt ===		=== Four-line "SCOC" gilt ===

	A subset of 5508 dials carry the "Superlative Chronometer Officially Certified" line above 6 o'clock — the four-line layout. Antiquorum's 2008 Revolution sale lot 204 explicitly catalogues a "Gilt Four Line" 5508~~; RolexHaven's 5508 SCOC sub-page documents the variant~~. The four-line dial coexists with the two-line dial during overlapping years rather than replacing it cleanly. The four-line spec accompanies the chronometer-grade running gear that arrived later in the 1530's life — consistent with the 17 → 25 → 26 jewel progression over the run.		A subset of 5508 dials carry the "Superlative Chronometer Officially Certified" line above 6 o'clock — the four-line layout. Antiquorum's 2008 Revolution sale lot 204 explicitly catalogues a "Gilt Four Line" 5508. The four-line dial coexists with the two-line dial during overlapping years rather than replacing it cleanly. The four-line spec accompanies the chronometer-grade running gear that arrived later in the 1530's life — consistent with the 17 → 25 → 26 jewel progression over the run.

	<span id="exclamation-dial"></span>		<span id="exclamation-dial"></span>
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	Period-correct delivery bracelets on the 5508 split across three references depending on year and option. The earliest examples ship with the 6251H riveted Oyster (Bonhams Feb 2018, 1959 example with clasp 2/68 marking a service event but original-style fitment). The 7206 fixed-link riveted Oyster is the period-correct mainstream fitment — Bonhams Dec 2023 lot 38 documents a 1958 example with clasp 4/69, and Phillips Hong Kong 2019 lot 881 documents the 1962 fitment with end-link 64. The 6636 expandable riveted Oyster is the third documented original-delivery option — Phillips Geneva XV 2022 lot 160 (1962, clasp 4/64) and Phillips Geneva NINE 2019 (riveted Oyster with deployant clasp 1/58) anchor the 6636 fitment.		Period-correct delivery bracelets on the 5508 split across three references depending on year and option. The earliest examples ship with the 6251H riveted Oyster (Bonhams Feb 2018, 1959 example with clasp 2/68 marking a service event but original-style fitment). The 7206 fixed-link riveted Oyster is the period-correct mainstream fitment — Bonhams Dec 2023 lot 38 documents a 1958 example with clasp 4/69, and Phillips Hong Kong 2019 lot 881 documents the 1962 fitment with end-link 64. The 6636 expandable riveted Oyster is the third documented original-delivery option — Phillips Geneva XV 2022 lot 160 (1962, clasp 4/64) and Phillips Geneva NINE 2019 (riveted Oyster with deployant clasp 1/58) anchor the 6636 fitment.

	The 9315 folded-link Oyster is a post-1968 service replacement only — not period-correct for any 5508. Any 9315 on a 5508 marks a service swap. ~~RolexHaven's~~ bracelets ~~page anchors the 1961 introduction of~~ reference-~~stamping ("In 1961, the Swiss Rivet bracelets started to bear reference~~ number stamps on the largest link at 12~~:00") — bracelets~~ without the reference stamp ~~predate~~ that change. Clasp date codes are the cleanest single-component dating tool: a clasp dating later than the case head implies a swap or service-era replacement.		The 9315 folded-link Oyster is a post-1968 service replacement only — not period-correct for any 5508. Any 9315 on a 5508 marks a service swap. Swiss rivet bracelets began carrying reference-number stamps on the largest link at 12 o'clock in 1961, so a bracelet without the reference stamp predates that change. Clasp date codes are the cleanest single-component dating tool: a clasp dating later than the case head implies a swap or service-era replacement.

	A 1962 example ~~documented at Vintage Gold Watches~~ with original presentation box is the only 5508 in the public record with surviving period packaging.		A 1962 example with its original presentation box is the only 5508 in the public record with surviving period packaging.

	<span id="bond-association"></span>		<span id="bond-association"></span>

Admin: SEO: clickable title + og:image + timestamps

2026-08-04T00:21:24Z

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2026-08-04T00:12:54Z

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← Older revision		Revision as of 00:12, 4 August 2026
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	{{DISPLAYTITLE:Rolex 5508 Submariner}}		{{DISPLAYTITLE:Rolex 5508 Submariner}}
	{{#seo:		{{#seo:
	\|title=Rolex Submariner 5508 (1957–1961) — Production & Dial Guide \| BezelBase		\|title=Rolex Submariner 5508 (1957–1961) — Production & Dial Guide \| BezelBase
	\|description=The 5508 is the last small-crown 100m Submariner without crown guards. 1958–62 production, caliber 1530 (jewel progression 17→25→26), four-line SCOC and exclamation dial branches, period-correct 6636 / 7206 / 6251H bracelets.		\|description=The 5508 is the last small-crown 100m Submariner without crown guards. 1958–62 production, caliber 1530 (jewel progression 17→25→26), four-line SCOC and exclamation dial branches, period-correct 6636 / 7206 / 6251H bracelets.
	\|keywords=Rolex, 5508, Submariner, specifications, small crown, exclamation dial, James Bond		\|keywords=Rolex, 5508, Submariner, specifications, small crown, exclamation dial, James Bond
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	\|modified_time=2026-06-~~29T01~~:20:~~13Z~~		\|modified_time=2026-07-18T12:39:43Z
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Klaudiusz: Internal linking: related references + component links

2026-07-18T12:39:43Z

Internal linking: related references + component links

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:39, 18 July 2026
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	The Phillips Geneva NINE 2019 result — CHF 500,000 hammer for a 1958 black gilt with red-triangle insert — is the headline figure for the reference. Phillips Hong Kong's 2019 exclamation gilt 1962 example at HK$ 2.687M is the second pillar. Tropical and SCOC variants sit at the upper-middle of the market; service-dial and refit examples settle at the lower end. The 5508 holds a specific market position — less famous than the 6538, less structurally important than the 5512, but the cleanest expression of the small-crown no-crown-guard Submariner in its most mature form.		The Phillips Geneva NINE 2019 result — CHF 500,000 hammer for a 1958 black gilt with red-triangle insert — is the headline figure for the reference. Phillips Hong Kong's 2019 exclamation gilt 1962 example at HK$ 2.687M is the second pillar. Tropical and SCOC variants sit at the upper-middle of the market; service-dial and refit examples settle at the lower end. The 5508 holds a specific market position — less famous than the 6538, less structurally important than the 5512, but the cleanest expression of the small-crown no-crown-guard Submariner in its most mature form.


			== Related references ==

			* [[Reference:5510\|Submariner 5510]] — Big Crown, Cal 1530 (1957–1958)
			* [[Reference:6538\|Submariner 6538]] — "Big Crown", James Bond (1956–1959)
			* [[Reference:6536\|Submariner 6536]] — Early Gilt No-Crown-Guard (1955–1958)
			* [[Reference:6205\|Submariner 6205]] — 1953–1957
			* [[Reference:6200\|Submariner 6200]] — "King Sub", Big Crown (1953–1956)
			* [[Reference:6204\|Submariner 6204]] — 1953–1954

			See also the [[Reference:submariner\|Submariner family index]], [[Reference:Movements\|movement reference]], [[Reference:Bracelets\|bracelet & clasp guide]], and [[Reference:Serial-numbers\|serial numbers by year]].

	== Sources ==		== Sources ==

Admin: SEO: clickable title + og:image + timestamps

2026-06-29T01:21:35Z

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2026-06-29T01:20:13Z

SEO: clickable title + og:image + timestamps

← Older revision		Revision as of 01:20, 29 June 2026
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	{{DISPLAYTITLE:Rolex 5508 Submariner}}		{{DISPLAYTITLE:Rolex 5508 Submariner}}
	{{#seo:		{{#seo:
	\|title=Rolex 5508 ~~Submariner~~ — Production, Dial ~~Variants, Serial Ranges~~ \| BezelBase		\|title=Rolex Submariner 5508 (1957–1961) — Production & Dial Guide \| BezelBase
	\|description=The 5508 is the last small-crown 100m Submariner without crown guards. 1958–62 production, caliber 1530 (jewel progression 17→25→26), four-line SCOC and exclamation dial branches, period-correct 6636 / 7206 / 6251H bracelets.		\|description=The 5508 is the last small-crown 100m Submariner without crown guards. 1958–62 production, caliber 1530 (jewel progression 17→25→26), four-line SCOC and exclamation dial branches, period-correct 6636 / 7206 / 6251H bracelets.
	\|keywords=Rolex, 5508, Submariner, specifications, small crown, exclamation dial, James Bond		\|keywords=Rolex, 5508, Submariner, specifications, small crown, exclamation dial, James Bond
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	\|modified_time=2026-04-~~29T04~~:25:~~00Z~~		\|modified_time=2026-06-04T04:41:04Z
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Admin: SEO: capitalize schema.org @type to "Article" for rich-result eligibility

2026-06-04T04:41:04Z

SEO: capitalize schema.org @type to "Article" for rich-result eligibility

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	\|image=Ref 5508 hero 3.webp		\|image=Ref 5508 hero 3.webp
	\|image_alt=Rolex Submariner Ref. 5508		\|image_alt=Rolex Submariner Ref. 5508
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	\|published_time=2026-04-14T16:12:52Z		\|published_time=2026-04-14T16:12:52Z

Admin: Remove Category:Working Draft — published pre-2020 in-scope reference

2026-05-31T02:07:39Z

Remove Category:Working Draft — published pre-2020 in-scope reference

← Older revision		Revision as of 02:07, 31 May 2026
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	[[Category:Submariner]]		[[Category:Submariner]]
	~~[[Category:Working Draft]]~~

Admin: Add DISPLAYTITLE: drop NS_REFERENCE prefix from H1 (SEO/UX, site-wide pass)

2026-05-31T01:44:26Z

Add DISPLAYTITLE: drop NS_REFERENCE prefix from H1 (SEO/UX, site-wide pass)

← Older revision		Revision as of 01:44, 31 May 2026
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			{{DISPLAYTITLE:Rolex 5508 Submariner}}
	{{#seo:		{{#seo:
	\|title=Rolex 5508 Submariner — Production, Dial Variants, Serial Ranges \| BezelBase		\|title=Rolex 5508 Submariner — Production, Dial Variants, Serial Ranges \| BezelBase

Admin: Fix A260 caliber framing: A260 is full-rotor uni-directional (not bumper); 1530 is the bidirectional successor refined from the 1030 generation. Rolex never produced bumper calibers

2026-04-29T23:33:03Z

Fix A260 caliber framing: A260 is full-rotor uni-directional (not bumper); 1530 is the bidirectional successor refined from the 1030 generation. Rolex never produced bumper calibers

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:33, 29 April 2026
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	== Where it sits in the line ==		== Where it sits in the line ==

	The 5508 sits at the end of the small-crown 100m branch. It runs alongside the big-crown 200m 5510 (1958–59) and exits in 1962 just before the 5512 takes over with crown guards, a 7mm crown, and the chronometer-rated caliber 1560. From the 6204 / 6205 the 5508 inherits the small-crown identity but upgrades to the ~~full~~-~~rotor~~ caliber 1530, replacing the ~~bumper~~ A260 of the earlier line. The 5508 is the bridge between the ~~bumper-era~~ small-crown ~~watches~~ and the mature crown-guard family that defines the modern Submariner silhouette.		The 5508 sits at the end of the small-crown 100m branch. It runs alongside the big-crown 200m 5510 (1958–59) and exits in 1962 just before the 5512 takes over with crown guards, a 7mm crown, and the chronometer-rated caliber 1560. From the 6204 / 6205 the 5508 inherits the small-crown identity but upgrades to the chronometer-grade caliber 1530, replacing the A260 of the earlier line. The A260 is itself a full-rotor uni-directional Perpetual — Rolex never produced a bumper caliber — but its thicker autowind module sits behind the bubble-back-era cases; the 1530 is the slimmer, bidirectional architecture refined out of the 1030 generation. The 5508 is the bridge between the early small-crown Submariners and the mature crown-guard family that defines the modern Submariner silhouette.

	The 6mm Brevet small crown is the visual signature, distinct from the later 7mm standard introduced with crown guards on the 5512. The 6538's 8mm Brevet big crown carries the same Brevet stamp — the stamp distinguishes era, not size. The 5508 is the last mainstream Submariner where the case reads slim and proportional through the right-hand side without crown-guard volume.		The 6mm Brevet small crown is the visual signature, distinct from the later 7mm standard introduced with crown guards on the 5512. The 6538's 8mm Brevet big crown carries the same Brevet stamp — the stamp distinguishes era, not size. The 5508 is the last mainstream Submariner where the case reads slim and proportional through the right-hand side without crown-guard volume.