Case No. 361,650
Submariner 5508 sold by Phillips Fine Watches in Geneva May 2019.
With the introduction of the newer and more reliable caliber 1530 movement, Rolex added the Submariner 5508 to its product line. The Submariner 5508 was the same size and has the same dial layout as the Submariner 6536-1. The "Red Triangle" insert was updated with hash marks and a protective pearl was added to help retain the luminous material. The Big Bubble seconds hand was replaced with the normal size.
The luminous material on the dial and hands was manually applied Radium like most Small Crowns from the 1950s. Although it no longer glows in the dark, the Radium still has a distinct "speckled" glow when exposed to UV Light and has a relatively high Geiger reading as well. Please see the "Luminous" section for further information about characteristics of glow-in-the-dark materials used by Rolex.
The hands are made from a metal alloy that was gold-plated. They are also flat on top, a design that came to be known by collectors as "Gilt Hands." When the hands move about the face of the dial, the sweep-seconds hand appears to lightly graze the "Chapter" ring of the minute track. When it briefly glides over the minute hand, they are perfectly aligned.
The outer case back is flat and reference number 5508 is stamped inside the case back with a date code. The Submariner 5508 is powered by the Rolex 1530 Automatic movement. The Submariner 5508 also uses the #16 crystal that fits the Submariner 6536-1.
A newer variety of bracelet clasp designs were introduced by Rolex bracelet maker Gay Frères in 1958. Although the rivet and end links remained unchanged, two new clasp designs were introduced and the earlier Tiny Logo clasp was phased out. Additional details about end links and bracelets can be found here.
Small Logo clasp introduced in 1958
Rolex also contracted with C&I to make bracelets in the United States. The import duties on Swiss made bracelets was becoming cost prohibitive and it made more economic sense to have a US based manufacturer. C&I produced Hollow Rivet bracelets with unmarked end links that have a markedly lighter gauge than Swiss made bracelets.
Big Logo clasp introduced in 1958
Tiny Logo clasp phased out in 1958
US Made C&I Rivet Bracelet 1958
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