Rolex

The Submariner stands as one of Rolex’s most iconic models. Still in production today, it has evolved through numerous iterations over more than six decades. Early examples are defined by either “small” or “big” crowns, before Rolex introduced crown guards to enhance the model’s durability and resilience.

The lineage of no crown guard Submariners is marked by several key milestones. Introduced in 1953, the first serially produced example bore the reference 6204, featuring pencil hands and luminous numerals. Rolex soon expanded the range with additional “small crown” references such as the 6205, 6536, and 6536/1, while models like the 6538 and 5510 were equipped with a larger crown.

Produced between 1958 and 1962, reference 5508 represents the final “small crown” Submariner to retain both its 100-meter depth rating and the absence of crown guards. Previously owned by (and sourced from) a family in Egypt, whose grandfather purchased the watch new to be held for his son, the watch was remarkably unworn when found in their home in 2017, when it was brought to the United States by both the son and grandson in an in-person sale well-known within the vintage Rolex community. The watch has remained in private collector hands and in the same condition when found, having been worn extremely sparingly over the last ten years, and is among the finest preserved to ever surface. The case remains remarkably crisp, with sharp, well-defined bevels along the lugs, and the original bezel retaining its pristine red triangle and original pearl. The glossy black dial with gilt printing has developed a beautiful rich tropical chocolate-brown patina. It is further complemented by an impressively tight and well-preserved expandable riveted Oyster bracelet, stamped 1.58. To this date the watch has never been opened.

Adding to its desirability, the watch is accompanied by its original presentation card, its original cigarette card, Oyster Swimpruf tag, and original Rolex anchor with copper wire. Incredibly, the grandson of the original owner, in 2021 (four years after the watch was sold) found the original outer cardboard presentation box stickered “5508, Steel/Band” in his grandfather’s closet, and generously sent it to the buyer of the watch in New York.

This watch is an absolute trophy for any Rolex collector.