Apologies in advance on the long ad but it’s well needed.
Go and chuck 5512 in the search bar above and see how many come up.
Now how many gilt/bart Simpson dials…
That’s what we’re dealing with here!
The 5512 was simply put Rolex’s first solution to a COSC certified tool watch - and they charged for it. Production was roughly 1/10th that of the 5513. Of those, the vast majority were lost, destroyed, or compromised by servicing with later parts. The survivors of the survivors, original and unmodified, represent something closer to one percent of an already rare reference.
If I had to summarise the rules for buying vintage Rolex, I would say originality 4 times over, then condition. This satisfies all 5!
The dial is a gloss gilt “Bart Simpson” named for the coronet’s resemblance to the top of the cartoon character’s head. The process that created this dial was neither quick nor simple, and sixty years later the result is a warmth and dimensionality that a photograph cannot capture. The hands match. The lume is consistent. Original MK3 insert, slightly faded, correct and honest, and increasingly hard to find undisturbed.
The case has likely seen a polish over its lifetime, but every component is 100% original, and that’s what counts. Period-correct rivet bracelet, slightly later, good condition. Box present.
Specs
∙ Brand: Rolex
∙ Year: 1966
∙ Reference: 5512
∙ Model: Submariner “Bart Dial” Gilt
∙ Movement: Cal. 1560 COSC
∙ Materials: Stainless
∙ Bracelet: Period-Correct Rivet
∙ Insert: Original MK3
∙ Scope of Delivery: Watch & Box
∙ Price (inc GST): $29,999
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