Rolex. A fine and rare stainless steel automatic bracelet watch with gilt exclamation dial
Model: Submariner
Reference: 5508
Date: Circa 1962
Movement: 25-jewel Cal.1530 automatic
Dial: Black exclamation dial, luminous dot hour markers, baton quarters, gilt outer minute divisions, polished Mercedes hands with luminous inserts, centre seconds
Case: Brushed and polished tonneau form, screw down back and crown, bi-directional bezel with black calibrated insert, No.762743
Strap/Bracelet: Brushed rivet Oyster link
Buckle/Clasp: Signed folding clasp, stamped 2 62
Signed: Case, dial & movement
Size: 37mm
Footnotes:
The Reference 5508 was first released in 1958, replacing the 6536 and equipped with the new calibre 1530 movement. It was one of the last models of the so-called 'James Bond' Submariners - a name derived from the fact that models similar to this, without crown guards, were featured in the Bond movies.

The 'Exclamation' mark below the hour marker at 6 dates the production of the dial between 1960-1963 which sits comfortably with the production date of the case being around 1962. It is believed that this dot of lume was used by Rolex to demonstrate that the watch adhered to new regulations in relation to the radiation level of the dial. This practice only occurred for a short period of time thus making this watch a particularly rare example of a 5508.

The current lot is being offered by the family of the original owner and has never been offered at auction before.