Rolex Submariner 5512 Square Crown Guards Tropical

one of the rarest Rolex watches - square crown guards - tropical dial

Rolex Submariner 5512 Square Crown Guards Tropical - an important Rolex watch produced in 1959
an important Rolex watch produced in 1959
ultra-rare square crown guards
tropical dial, original lume
silver-colored depth rate and gilt model name ‘SUBMARINER’
natural Patina
automatic caliber 1530
5512 and date stamp III/59 inside te back
non-plus-ultra in Rolex collecting

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Description
In the realm of Rolex collector's watches, there are few timepieces that exude as much fascination and exclusivity as the exceptionally rare Rolex Submariner 5512 with square crown guards from 1959. A timepiece revered not only for its historical significance but also for its breathtaking aesthetics, this example boasts an enchanting tropical dial - a detail so rare it borders on the miraculous.

Introduced in 1959 to replace references 5510 and 6538, the Submariner 5512 brought groundbreaking design innovations, such as a smaller winding crown and the strikingly distinctive square crown guards. However, professional divers soon discovered that this design made unscrewing the crown too difficult, leading Rolex to swiftly redesign the guards to a pointed shape in 1960. As a result, the Square Crown Guard Submariner was produced for just a brief moment in history, with an estimated 100 examples ever made - starting with serial numbers 477.xxx - making it one of the rarest vintage Rolex models.

The Square Crown Guard Submariner is already an icon in its own right, with its distinct black dial bearing the waterproof depth (200 meters – 660 feet) elegantly inscribed in silver, while the word "Submariner" shimmers in gilt. Yet, when the dial transforms over decades into the coveted tropical hue, revealing a mesmerizing spider-web patina of fine cracks, it elevates the watch to a realm of pure magic. The visual poetry of this spider dial makes it a tangible representation of time’s gentle touch.

This particular piece, likely among the earliest examples, represents not just a watch but a time capsule of innovation, design evolution, and the serendipitous beauty bestowed by decades of wear. It is a treasure of unparalleled allure, a piece of horological history that will enchant every single watch collector worldwide.

Serial number: 477xxx (1959)
Features

Manufacturer: Rolex

Model: Submariner

Reference: 5512

Functions: central second - screw-down crown - hour and minute - screwed-on caseback

Material: Stainless steel

Dial: Tropical

Watch glass: acrylic crystal

Bracelet: stainless steel

Type of clasp: deployant buckle

Diameter: 40mm

Caliber name: Rolex 1530

Movement type: automatic

Year of Manufacture: 1959

Stock No.: PTV2136

Overall condition: 9 - has rarely been worn - top condition

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