MK Personal Collection Rare Four Line Gilt Glossy Dial Rolex Submariner Ref 5512/13 Wristwatch Circa 1966

MK Personal Collection The present lot is part of a larger privately held collection and is intended for exhibition purposes Rare Four Line Gilt Glossy Dial Rolex Submariner Ref 5512/13 Wristwatch Circa 1966. This is one of the rarest Rolex Submariner watches made. The watch, Ref 5512 Superlative Chronometer Serial # 1.361.403, is stamped on inside back "5513 I.66". It features a Cal. 1570, rhodium-plated, "oeil-de-perdrix" decoration Rolex movement with 26 jewels, straight line lever escapement, monometallic balance adjusted to temperatures and five positions, shock-absorber, self-compensating free-spring Breguet balance-spring and Microstella regulating screws that is in good running condition. It is topped with a rare and exotic original black glossy two tone four line gild meters first dial with tritium and gold coated round, triangular and bâton indexes, outer minute divisions. The dial is outrageous and the watch is all original and in excellent condition. The Rolex Submariner is with no doubt one of the world’s most iconic wristwatches. Designed for exploring the deep depths of the ocean, vintage submariners are now somewhat of a luxury, commanding high values with a respected following worldwide. With the reference 5512 fitted with a glossy “four-liner” dial already a rare bird, it is even rarer to have access to photocopies of the original owner from Japan wearing the watch. A watch once owned by Keinosuke Hara, a Japanese motorcycle enthusiast and engineer who once designed and built at Tokyo Hatsudo Company, the present reference 5512 is an attractive watch with an important provenance from the world of motorcycling. The reference 5512 Submariner was first introduced to the public in 1959, with an important upgrade of crown guards which are witnessed in all Submariner models till date. The earliest reference 5512 Submariner featured square crown guards, however only minimal quantities were produced as diver’s found it challenging to operate the crown whilst gloved. With the feedback received, Rolex immediately stopped its production on square crown guards and decided to feature pointed crown guards for practicality.