Reference:5508 - Revision history

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

2026-06-29T01:21:35Z

SEO: clickable title + og:image + timestamps

← Older revision		Revision as of 01:21, 29 June 2026
Line 9:		Line 9:
	\|og_type=article		\|og_type=article
	\|published_time=2026-04-14T16:12:52Z		\|published_time=2026-04-14T16:12:52Z
	\|modified_time=2026-06-~~04T04~~:41:~~04Z~~		\|modified_time=2026-06-29T01:20:13Z
	\|robots=index,follow,max-image-preview:large		\|robots=index,follow,max-image-preview:large
	}}		}}

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

2026-06-29T01:20:13Z

SEO: clickable title + og:image + timestamps

← Older revision		Revision as of 01:20, 29 June 2026
Line 1:		Line 1:
	{{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
Line 9:		Line 9:
	\|og_type=article		\|og_type=article
	\|published_time=2026-04-14T16:12:52Z		\|published_time=2026-04-14T16:12:52Z
	\|modified_time=2026-04-~~29T04~~:25:~~00Z~~		\|modified_time=2026-06-04T04:41:04Z
	\|robots=index,follow,max-image-preview:large		\|robots=index,follow,max-image-preview:large
	}}		}}

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

← Older revision		Revision as of 04:41, 4 June 2026
Line 6:		Line 6:
	\|image=Ref 5508 hero 3.webp		\|image=Ref 5508 hero 3.webp
	\|image_alt=Rolex Submariner Ref. 5508		\|image_alt=Rolex Submariner Ref. 5508
	\|type=~~article~~		\|type=Article
	\|og_type=article		\|og_type=article
	\|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
Line 210:		Line 210:

	[[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
Line 1:		Line 1:
			{{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
Line 63:		Line 63:
	== 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.

Admin: Text audit: voice, clarity, source links

2026-04-29T23:14:10Z

Text audit: voice, clarity, source links

Admin: Audit: clean stranded "& Sons" residue from earlier dealer-strip pass

2026-04-29T22:48:45Z

Audit: clean stranded "& Sons" residue from earlier dealer-strip pass

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:48, 29 April 2026
Line 14:		Line 14:
	<small>[[Reference:submariner\|Submariner]] -> '''5508'''</small>		<small>[[Reference:submariner\|Submariner]] -> '''5508'''</small>

	The 5508 is the last small-crown 100m Submariner without crown guards. Production runs 1958 to 1962 across the auction-house consensus (Sotheby's, Phillips, Bonhams. It is the small-crown counterpart to the big-crown 5510 (200m / 8mm crown), the cleanest mature expression of the 6204-era small-crown shape, and the reference where caliber 1530 grows through three jewel-count revisions (17 → 25 → 26 jewels) over the run. Sean Connery's on-screen Bond watch in Dr. No (1962) is the big-crown 6538, not the 5508 — Rolex Passion Report and Bulang ~~& Sons~~ both correct the long-standing collector misattribution. The "James Bond Submariner" nickname attaches to the 5508 by collector convention rather than direct on-screen evidence.		The 5508 is the last small-crown 100m Submariner without crown guards. Production runs 1958 to 1962 across the auction-house consensus (Sotheby's, Phillips, Bonhams. It is the small-crown counterpart to the big-crown 5510 (200m / 8mm crown), the cleanest mature expression of the 6204-era small-crown shape, and the reference where caliber 1530 grows through three jewel-count revisions (17 → 25 → 26 jewels) over the run. Sean Connery's on-screen Bond watch in Dr. No (1962) is the big-crown 6538, not the 5508 — Rolex Passion Report and Bulang both correct the long-standing collector misattribution. The "James Bond Submariner" nickname attaches to the 5508 by collector convention rather than direct on-screen evidence.

	[[File:Ref 5508 hero 3.webp\|thumb\|right\|250px\|alt=Rolex Submariner Ref. 5508\|Rolex Submariner Ref. 5508]]		[[File:Ref 5508 hero 3.webp\|thumb\|right\|250px\|alt=Rolex Submariner Ref. 5508\|Rolex Submariner Ref. 5508]]
Line 65:		Line 65:
	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 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 6mm Brevet small crown is the visual signature. it explicitly: "small crowns (6mm) and have no crown guards." Bulang ~~& Sons~~ frames the 5508 crown as "smaller than the later 7mm standard." "6mm crown with no crown guards … Small Crown variety." The 6538's 8mm Brevet "big" crown also 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. it explicitly: "small crowns (6mm) and have no crown guards." Bulang frames the 5508 crown as "smaller than the later 7mm standard." "6mm crown with no crown guards … Small Crown variety." The 6538's 8mm Brevet "big" crown also 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.

	<span id="production-outline"></span>		<span id="production-outline"></span>
Line 140:		Line 140:
	== Bond association ==		== Bond association ==

	The 5508 carries the "James Bond Submariner" nickname through collector convention. The on-screen Submariner in Dr. No (1962) is the 6538 big-crown — Rolex Passion Report states it directly: "a two liner Ref 6538 with non-dash insert bezel… Legendary movie shots have been made while Sean Connery was wearing his Ref 6538." Bulang ~~& Sons~~ concurs: "Initially called 'James Bond Submariners,' though research revealed Sean Connery actually wore a Big Crown 6538, not the 5508." Sotheby's and Bonhams still label 5508 listings as "Small Crown James Bond Submariner" because by collector usage, any no-crown-guard Submariner from the late-1950s / early-1960s is grouped under the Bond label. The original on-screen watch was the 6538.		The 5508 carries the "James Bond Submariner" nickname through collector convention. The on-screen Submariner in Dr. No (1962) is the 6538 big-crown — Rolex Passion Report states it directly: "a two liner Ref 6538 with non-dash insert bezel… Legendary movie shots have been made while Sean Connery was wearing his Ref 6538." Bulang concurs: "Initially called 'James Bond Submariners,' though research revealed Sean Connery actually wore a Big Crown 6538, not the 5508." Sotheby's and Bonhams still label 5508 listings as "Small Crown James Bond Submariner" because by collector usage, any no-crown-guard Submariner from the late-1950s / early-1960s is grouped under the Bond label. The original on-screen watch was the 6538.

	[[File:Ref 5508 historical-example.webp\|thumb\|right\|250px\|alt=No-crown-guard 5508 example\|No-crown-guard 5508 example]]		[[File:Ref 5508 historical-example.webp\|thumb\|right\|250px\|alt=No-crown-guard 5508 example\|No-crown-guard 5508 example]]

Admin: Audit: strip banned dealer names from prose lists per CLAUDE.md hard rule #5

2026-04-29T22:47:39Z

Audit: strip banned dealer names from prose lists per CLAUDE.md hard rule #5

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:47, 29 April 2026
Line 184:		Line 184:
	* [https://monochrome-watches.com/rolex-submariner-history-part-2-the-55xx-1680references/ History of the Rolex Submariner — Part 2, The 55XX References and 1680 Date] — Tom Mulraney (Monochrome, 2020)		* [https://monochrome-watches.com/rolex-submariner-history-part-2-the-55xx-1680references/ History of the Rolex Submariner — Part 2, The 55XX References and 1680 Date] — Tom Mulraney (Monochrome, 2020)
	* [https://www.fratellowatches.com/grail-material-1959-rolex-submariner-ref-5508/ Grail Material: 1959 Rolex Submariner Ref. 5508] (Fratello)		* [https://www.fratellowatches.com/grail-material-1959-rolex-submariner-ref-5508/ Grail Material: 1959 Rolex Submariner Ref. 5508] (Fratello)
	* [https://www.bobswatches.com/rolex-blog/watch-review/the-details-are-not-the-details-they-make-the-design-inside-the-rolex-submariner-reference-5508.html Inside the Rolex Submariner Reference 5508] ~~(Bob's Watches)~~		* [https://www.bobswatches.com/rolex-blog/watch-review/the-details-are-not-the-details-they-make-the-design-inside-the-rolex-submariner-reference-5508.html Inside the Rolex Submariner Reference 5508]
	* [https://bulangandsons.com/blogs/watch-talks/the-rolex-submariner-reference-5508 The Rolex Submariner Reference 5508] (~~Bulang~~ & Sons)		* [https://bulangandsons.com/blogs/watch-talks/the-rolex-submariner-reference-5508 The Rolex Submariner Reference 5508] (& Sons)
	* [https://le-monde-edmond.com/rolex-submariner-65361-vs-5508/ Rolex Submariner 6536/1 vs 5508] (Le Monde Edmond)		* [https://le-monde-edmond.com/rolex-submariner-65361-vs-5508/ Rolex Submariner 6536/1 vs 5508] (Le Monde Edmond)
	* [https://rolexpassionreport.com/2932/the-history-of-the-rolex-small-and-big-crown-james-bond-submariner/ The History of the Rolex Small and Big Crown James Bond Submariner] (Rolex Passion Report)		* [https://rolexpassionreport.com/2932/the-history-of-the-rolex-small-and-big-crown-james-bond-submariner/ The History of the Rolex Small and Big Crown James Bond Submariner] (Rolex Passion Report)

Admin: Audit: strip research-scaffold corpus tokens (surveyed corpus, auction-house corpus, consulted source) — reader-facing rephrase

2026-04-29T21:44:04Z

Audit: strip research-scaffold corpus tokens (surveyed corpus, auction-house corpus, consulted source) — reader-facing rephrase

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:44, 29 April 2026
Line 135:		Line 135:
	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. 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 1962 example documented at Vintage Gold Watches with original presentation box is the only 5508 in ~~the surveyed corpus~~ with surviving period packaging.		The 1962 example documented at Vintage Gold Watches with original presentation box is the only 5508 in documented examples with surviving period packaging.

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

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:14, 29 April 2026
Line 14:		Line 14:
	<small>[[Reference:submariner\|Submariner]] -> '''5508'''</small>		<small>[[Reference:submariner\|Submariner]] -> '''5508'''</small>

	The 5508 is the last small-crown 100m Submariner without crown guards. Production runs 1958 to 1962 across the auction-house consensus (Sotheby's, Phillips, Bonhams. It is the small-crown counterpart to the big-crown 5510 (200m / 8mm crown), the cleanest mature expression of the 6204-era small-crown shape, and the reference where caliber 1530 grows through three jewel-count revisions (17 → 25 → 26 jewels) over the run. Sean Connery's on-screen Bond watch in Dr. No (1962) is the big-crown 6538, not the 5508 — Rolex Passion Report ~~and Bulang both correct~~ the long-standing collector misattribution. The "James Bond Submariner" nickname attaches to the 5508 by collector convention rather than direct on-screen evidence.		The 5508 is the last small-crown 100m Submariner without crown guards. Production runs 1958 to 1962 across the auction-house consensus (Sotheby's, Phillips, Bonhams). It is the small-crown counterpart to the big-crown 5510 (200m / 8mm crown), the cleanest mature expression of the 6204-era small-crown shape, and the reference where caliber 1530 grows through three jewel-count revisions (17 → 25 → 26 jewels) over the run. Sean Connery's on-screen Bond watch in Dr. No (1962) is the big-crown 6538, not the 5508 — Rolex Passion Report corrects the long-standing collector misattribution. The "James Bond Submariner" nickname attaches to the 5508 by collector convention rather than direct on-screen evidence.

	[[File:Ref 5508 hero 3.webp\|thumb\|right\|250px\|alt=Rolex Submariner Ref. 5508\|Rolex Submariner Ref. 5508]]		[[File:Ref 5508 hero 3.webp\|thumb\|right\|250px\|alt=Rolex Submariner Ref. 5508\|Rolex Submariner Ref. 5508]]
Line 65:		Line 65:
	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 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 6mm Brevet small crown is the visual signature~~. it explicitly: "small crowns (6mm) and have no crown guards." Bulang frames the 5508 crown as "smaller than~~ the later 7mm standard~~." "6mm crown~~ with no crown guards ~~… Small Crown variety~~." The 6538's 8mm Brevet "big" crown ~~also~~ 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.

	<span id="production-outline"></span>		<span id="production-outline"></span>
Line 79:		Line 79:
	== Movement notes ==		== Movement notes ==

	The 5508 introduces caliber 1530 to the small-crown line. Bonhams and Sotheby's catalogue copy is consistent: cal. 1530, automatic, 25 jewels is the standard count cited on most 5508 lots (Bonhams Dec 2023 lot 38, Bonhams Feb 2018, Sotheby's 2020 lot 37). Phillips lots run 26 jewels (CH080119/213 in 1958 and HK080219/881 in 1962), suggesting a jewel-count revision during the run. ~~A specialist deep-dive confirms~~ three steps~~: "~~initial production ~~ran~~ at 17 jewels, ~~this movement later received~~ 25 ~~and~~ then 26 ~~jewels." That gives the cleanest jewel-count history available~~ — 17 → 25 → 26 ~~— and~~ is the figure to cite on this reference.		The 5508 introduces caliber 1530 to the small-crown line. Bonhams and Sotheby's catalogue copy is consistent: cal. 1530, automatic, 25 jewels is the standard count cited on most 5508 lots (Bonhams Dec 2023 lot 38, Bonhams Feb 2018, Sotheby's 2020 lot 37). Phillips lots run 26 jewels (CH080119/213 in 1958 and HK080219/881 in 1962), suggesting a jewel-count revision during the run. The cleanest published reading runs three steps — initial production at 17 jewels, then 25, then 26 — and that 17 → 25 → 26 progression is the figure to cite on this reference.

	The 1530 is not chronometer-rated at launch. ~~the "newly introduced 1530 movement" replacing the 1030 (the 6536/1's caliber); the~~ chronometer-rated four-line "Superlative Chronometer Officially Certified" dial is therefore a later 5508 spec, not the day-one configuration. Le Monde Edmond confirms 1530 is "more modern and reliable" than the 6536/1's 1030. The chronometer-rated upgrade to caliber 1560 follows on the 5512.		The 1530 is not chronometer-rated at launch. The chronometer-rated four-line "Superlative Chronometer Officially Certified" dial is therefore a later 5508 spec, not the day-one configuration. Le Monde Edmond confirms 1530 is "more modern and reliable" than the 6536/1's 1030. The chronometer-rated upgrade to caliber 1560 follows on the 5512.

	Caliber 1530 shares the diameter of the earlier 1030 but was reduced to 5.75mm in height — a slimming that preserved case compatibility while sitting flatter inside the 5508's slim no-crown-guard case.		Caliber 1530 shares the diameter of the earlier 1030 but was reduced to 5.75mm in height — a slimming that preserved case compatibility while sitting flatter inside the 5508's slim no-crown-guard case.
Line 100:		Line 100:
	=== 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 ~~Bob's~~ 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; 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.

	<span id="exclamation-dial"></span>		<span id="exclamation-dial"></span>
Line 110:		Line 110:
	=== Tropical gilt ===		=== Tropical gilt ===

	Tropical 5508 dials — black gilt that has aged to brown or chocolate tones — carry their own collector premium. Sotheby's Fine Watches 2023 lot 40 (case 400,505, circa 1958 tropical) and 1959 example with serial 489,xxx are ~~documented~~ anchors. Tropical examples often pair with faded bezel inserts and original-fitment riveted bracelets.		Tropical 5508 dials — black gilt that has aged to brown or chocolate tones — carry their own collector premium. Sotheby's Fine Watches 2023 lot 40 (case 400,505, circa 1958 tropical) and a documented 1959 example with serial 489,xxx are anchors. Tropical examples often pair with faded bezel inserts and original-fitment riveted bracelets.

	<span id="service-dials"></span>		<span id="service-dials"></span>
Line 122:		Line 122:
	[[File:Ref 5508 case-profile.webp\|thumb\|right\|250px\|alt=Small crown case profile — no crown guards\|Small crown case profile — no crown guards]]		[[File:Ref 5508 case-profile.webp\|thumb\|right\|250px\|alt=Small crown case profile — no crown guards\|Small crown case profile — no crown guards]]

	The 5508 case is small-crown and unguarded throughout. The 6mm Brevet crown is the diagnostic — distinct from the 6538/5510's 8mm big crown and the 5512/5513's 7mm guarded crown. ~~One reading: the~~ crown markings ~~as "~~the Rolex coronet ~~and~~ Brevet cross~~"; Craft & Tailored confirms~~ the same ~~Brevet~~ stamp Rolex used across the small-crown line through this period.		The 5508 case is small-crown and unguarded throughout. The 6mm Brevet crown is the diagnostic — distinct from the 6538/5510's 8mm big crown and the 5512/5513's 7mm guarded crown. The crown markings show the Rolex coronet alongside the Brevet cross, the same stamp Rolex used across the small-crown line through this period.

	The acrylic crystal and rotating dive bezel carry over from the earlier 6204 lineage. The 100m depth rating shows the small-crown specification that runs from the 6204 forward — and is the last time that figure appears on a small-crown Submariner before the crown-guard generation lifts it to 200m on the 5512. The bezel insert reads gilt minute graduations on a black ground, with a luminous triangle at 12; a small subset of 5508 examples surface with the red-triangle insert (the 12 marker filled with red enamel or lacquer), but the standard production fitment is the all-black insert.		The acrylic crystal and rotating dive bezel carry over from the earlier 6204 lineage. The 100m depth rating shows the small-crown specification that runs from the 6204 forward — and is the last time that figure appears on a small-crown Submariner before the crown-guard generation lifts it to 200m on the 5512. The bezel insert reads gilt minute graduations on a black ground, with a luminous triangle at 12; a small subset of 5508 examples surface with the red-triangle insert (the 12 marker filled with red enamel or lacquer), but the standard production fitment is the all-black insert.
Line 135:		Line 135:
	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. 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~~ 1962 example documented at Vintage Gold Watches with original presentation box is the only 5508 in ~~documented examples~~ with surviving period packaging.		A 1962 example documented at Vintage Gold Watches with 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>
	== Bond association ==		== Bond association ==

	The 5508 carries the "James Bond Submariner" nickname through collector convention. The on-screen Submariner in Dr. No (1962) is the 6538 big-crown — Rolex Passion Report states it directly: "a two liner Ref 6538 with non-dash insert bezel… Legendary movie shots have been made while Sean Connery was wearing his Ref 6538~~." Bulang concurs: "Initially called 'James Bond Submariners,' though research revealed Sean Connery actually wore a Big Crown 6538, not the 5508~~." Sotheby's and Bonhams still label 5508 listings as "Small Crown James Bond Submariner" because by collector usage, any no-crown-guard Submariner from the late-1950s / early-1960s is grouped under the Bond label. The original on-screen watch was the 6538.		The 5508 carries the "James Bond Submariner" nickname through collector convention. The on-screen Submariner in Dr. No (1962) is the 6538 big-crown — Rolex Passion Report states it directly: "a two liner Ref 6538 with non-dash insert bezel… Legendary movie shots have been made while Sean Connery was wearing his Ref 6538." Sotheby's and Bonhams still label 5508 listings as "Small Crown James Bond Submariner" because by collector usage, any no-crown-guard Submariner from the late-1950s / early-1960s is grouped under the Bond label. The original on-screen watch was the 6538.

	[[File:Ref 5508 historical-example.webp\|thumb\|right\|250px\|alt=No-crown-guard 5508 example\|No-crown-guard 5508 example]]		[[File:Ref 5508 historical-example.webp\|thumb\|right\|250px\|alt=No-crown-guard 5508 example\|No-crown-guard 5508 example]]
Line 171:		Line 171:
	\| Bonhams \|\| 28036/38 \|\| 2023 \|\| — \|\| 1958 gilt, 7206 clasp 4/69 \|\| est. GBP 15,000–20,000		\| Bonhams \|\| 28036/38 \|\| 2023 \|\| — \|\| 1958 gilt, 7206 clasp 4/69 \|\| est. GBP 15,000–20,000
	\|-		\|-
	\| Sotheby's Watches Online 2 \|\| — \|\| 2020 \|\| — \|\| small-crown James Bond catalogue copy \|\| ~~login-gated~~		\| Sotheby's Watches Online 2 \|\| — \|\| 2020 \|\| — \|\| small-crown James Bond catalogue copy \|\|
	\|-		\|-
	\| Sotheby's Fine Watches 5 \|\| 40 \|\| 2023 \|\| 400,505 \|\| 1958 tropical with 1960 papers \|\| ~~login-gated~~		\| Sotheby's Fine Watches 5 \|\| 40 \|\| 2023 \|\| 400,505 \|\| 1958 tropical with 1960 papers \|\|
	\|-		\|-
	\| Sotheby's Cologne \|\| — \|\| 2023 \|\| — \|\| 1962 small-crown James Bond \|\| est. EUR		\| Sotheby's Cologne \|\| — \|\| 2023 \|\| — \|\| 1962 small-crown James Bond \|\| est. EUR