How Much Does a Rolex 5512 Cost?
A vintage Rolex Submariner reference 5512 sells for roughly $18,000 to $65,000 on the open market. Documented examples with original dials and unpolished cases pass $80,000 at auction, and a small group of early gilt-dial watches clears $100,000. Worn examples with service dials, replaced hands, or heavily polished cases trade between $12,000 and $18,000. A replica 5512 costs $120 to $600.
Where to Buy a Replica Rolex Submariner 5512: Buyer's Guide
What the 5512 Is
The 5512 entered the Submariner line in 1959 and stayed in the catalog into the late 1970s. It was the chronometer-rated brother of the 5513, which means the movement was adjusted and certified to a tighter rate standard. Water resistance was rated at 200 m / 660 ft, and the case carried crown guards from the start. Early production used the Caliber 1530; later watches used the 1560 and 1570. Dial types split into gilt glossy dials and matte dials, and into meters-first and feet-first depth printing. Those two details alone can swing the price by tens of thousands of dollars.
Price ranges at a glance
- Gilt dial, meters first, pointed crown guards: $60,000 to $150,000
- Gilt dial, later feet-first printing: $35,000 to $70,000
- Matte dial, original hands and bezel: $18,000 to $35,000
- Matte dial with service parts or case polishing: $12,000 to $18,000
- Watch only, no box or papers, thin provenance: $10,000 to $15,000
What moves the price
- Dial originality. A factory dial with intact lacquer and crisp printing is the single largest factor.
- Case condition. Thick lugs, visible bevels, and unpolished crown guards add a premium.
- Matching numbers. Correct caseback stamps and a movement serial that fits the production window matter to collectors.
- Papers and box. Full sets sell above watch-only examples of the same condition.
- Service history. A recent service from an independent watchmaker supports the asking price; undocumented movements do not.
How to price a 5512 before you buy
- Photograph the dial under angled light and compare the printing style to known gilt and matte patterns.
- Write down the case serial and check it against published production ranges for the reference.
- Inspect the lug bevels and crown guards for material loss from polishing.
- Confirm the movement caliber and ask for the last service date.
- Pull three sold listings for the same dial type from auction archives and average them.
- Subtract the current cost of any incorrect part, such as a replacement bezel insert or aftermarket crown.
Replica 5512 cost
Replica versions of the 5512 run $120 to $600. The lower end uses a generic automatic movement, mineral glass, and a plated case that wears through in months. The upper end uses a 316L or 904L steel case, a sapphire crystal, and a clone of the 1570 movement with a proper date-free layout. No replica holds collector value, and none should be trusted for actual diving. Buy one as a wearing copy of a design you like, not as an asset.
Bottom line
Budget $20,000 for a clean, honest matte-dial 5512 and $60,000 or more for an early gilt example with strong documentation. Inspect in person or through a third-party authenticator before any transfer of funds.