1962 Rolex Submariner GILT Exclamation Dial Ref. 5512

Rolex Submariner Ref. 5512 Gilt Exclamation Dial

The 1962 Rolex Submariner Ref. 5512 offered here is a standout example from one of the most desirable chapters in vintage Rolex history. Featuring a gilt Exclamation dial with a super-glossy mirror finish, the watch embodies the aesthetic purity and technical refinement that define early 1960s Submariners. The lacquered surface remains deep and reflective, allowing the gilt text and minute track to float with characteristic richness. The original luminous plots and matching hands, both aged to a vivid and attractive vanilla hue, bring warmth to the dial and confirm the watch’s untouched, honest character.

A key element of this example is its Exclamation dial configuration — identified by the small luminous dot positioned just above the six o’clock marker. Introduced briefly in the early 1960s, the Exclamation mark indicated Rolex’s transition toward lower-radium luminous materials in compliance with evolving radiation regulations. As such, these dials represent a fascinating and short-lived moment in the evolution of Submariner production, positioned between earlier high-radium chapter-ring dials and the later, safer tritium-marked variants. For collectors, the Exclamation dial is not just a rarity; it is a milestone in the Submariner’s technical and regulatory development.

The case of this 5512 is exceptionally strong, retaining excellent proportions, sharp bevels, and the structural integrity associated with unpolished or lightly touched examples. The watch is accompanied by a correct and well-preserved riveted Oyster bracelet, whose tightness and finish further underscore the overall quality of the piece. Together, they create the cohesive presence expected from a premium vintage Submariner — one that has survived more than sixty years with remarkable grace.

As early gilt Submariners continue to command the attention of serious collectors, examples of this caliber — combining dial originality, luminous integrity, strong case architecture, and historically significant features — have become increasingly scarce. This 1962 Submariner Ref. 5512 offers a superb opportunity to acquire a reference that sits at the heart of vintage Rolex collecting, representing both aesthetic mastery and transitional importance in the evolution of the world’s most iconic dive watch.