Vintage 1961 Rolex Submariner 5512, Tulip Dial, Box, Papers, Military Provenance
***We are a U.S. Seller***
No Tariffs or additional Customs fees for U.S. Buyers!
No Tariffs or additional Customs fees for U.S. Buyers!
PRODUCT DESCRIPTION: Vintage (Circa 1961) Rolex Submariner Pointed Crown Guard 5512 (661k serial '1.61' inside caseback) with possibly the nicest Chocolate 2-Line Chapter Ring Swiss Only "Tulip" Dial we have ever seen. Fat Font Insert with Pearl intact. Numbers between the lugs have wear but are all readable. Original Rolex 1530 Caliber Movement with Butterfly Rotor. Has 5512 Caseback. Rolex "Folded-Link" Oyster 9315 FlipLock Bracelet with 280 End Pieces, and 12 Links. "Pateted" Divers' Extension. Bracelet Code 1/72. Original Rolex Powder Blue Box, as well as the Original Guarantee (Dated November 22nd, 1961), Chronometer Hang Tag, Large Coronet Caseback Sticker, Green Leather Rolex Wallet, and a multitude of artifacts (See list below) The Caseback has been engraved by the original Owner highlighting his military and other personal achievements. See Pics
PLEASE NOTE: This is an original 5512 Dial - NOT a 5513 dial. Early 5512s came with either a 2-Line or 4-Line Dial. This is a very rare version (AKA "Tulip" Dial) and was only made for less than 2 years (1961-1962).
Incredible Military Provenance. Includes a detailed Letter of Provenance and Military Biography Chronicling the original owner's 25 years of service as a Pilot Navigator (CF-101B Voodoo Interceptors) in the RCAF -- See BELOW
This is probably the most detailed military provenance of any watch we have ever acquired with nearly 30 years in the business.
If you have any questions about this watch please do not hesitate to call us. We would be happy to answer any questions and explain additional details. Additional pics and videos are available upon request.
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Make: Rolex
Model: Submariner
Reference Number: 5512
Year: Circa 1961 (1.61 inside caseback code)
Case Material: Stainless Steel
Case Size: 40mm
Dial: RARE 5512 Gilt Gloss 2-Line 'SWISS' only, Chapter Ring, Tulip Dial. With CHOCOLATE Brown Patina. Completely original - Never restored or relumed. Radium Dial & Hands activate with a UV Light but dissipates quickly. -- See Pics
Bezel: Original Fat Font Black Insert - Rotating Bezel.
Crystal: Original Domed acrylic Crystal
Bracelet / Strap: Rolex Oyster (Folded-Link) Ref 9315, w/ 280 End Pieces, and 12 Links. "Pateted" Divers' Extension. Bracelet Code '1/72'. Bracelet has minimal stretch and will accommodate up to an 8 inch wrist. - See Pics
Movement: Original Rolex 25-Jewel Caliber 1530 (Chronometer Grade) Automatic Self-Winding Movement with Butterfly Rotor. Rated at 44 Hour Power Reserve. - See Pics
Accessories: The watch includes a multitude of accessories, as follows:
Original Rolex Powder-Blue Box
Original Rolex Guarantee w/ Serial Number - Dated "22/11/61" - "RCAF 2 (F) Wing, PX"
Original Rolex (early series) Red Chronometer Hang Tag
Original Rolex (early series) Caseback 'Coronet' Sticker
Original Rolex early Green Leather Wallet
Vintage RCAF - Official RCAF Service Photo
Original Postcard from the Matterhorn - Dated "3 Jul 62"
Vintage RCAF Wedge Flight Cap
Vintage RCAF Navigator Wings Patch
Vintage "LORD" Cigarette Lighter "2-F WING RCAF - GROSTENQUIN FRANCE" - Not Working
Vintage RCAF Captain's Shoulder Rank Insignias 2x different sets
Vintage RCAF Squadron Patches: 409, 416, 425
Vintage RCAF VOODOO Scope Wizard Patch
Vintage William Tell 1974 and 1982 Patches
Vintage "S.M. CO. CANADA" Dead Reckoning Navigation Flight Computer
Over 36 8.5 x 11 Photocopies of Service Photos and Documents pertaining to Capt Books' Military Service. Including a photo of Books at the top of the Matterhorn!
While we have tried to be comprehensive in the aforementioned list, we spent nearly 1 year researching Capt Books' military service and will include everything pictured, as well as numerous documents, books, and other artifacts we discovered not listed or even pictured.
Also included will be a printed "Letter of Provenance and Military Biography" of Capt Books, as follows:
Bill Books served in the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) as a Pilot Navigator for 25 years, achieving the rank of Captain.
Books was presented with his wings on June 17, 1960 at RCAF Station Winnipeg. From 1960-1962 he was likely flying T-33 and/or CF-100 Canuck all-weather interceptors, while stationed in France at RCAF Station Grostenquin, also known as 2 Wing or 2 (F) Wing.
Bill purchased the Rolex in 1961, while at 2 (F) Wing, and then in July of 1962, he climbed the Matterhorn, as noted in the attached postcard dated "3 July 62"
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"Hi !
I did not want to mention it to you until we had done it.
Today Sandy and I, plus two guides climbed the Matterhorn.
I am returning to 2 (F) Wing tomorrow. Write you from there.
Bill"
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In 1962, the CF-100 Canuck was replaced with the new CF-101B Voodoo, armed with the Douglas AIR-2 Genie - an air-to-air rocket with a 1.5 kt W25 nuclear warhead. At this time Books posted with the 425 "Alouette" Squadron out of CFB Bagotville, until around 1969.
It is unclear where Books was stationed from 1969-1973.
Then, in 1973 Books posted with the 416 "Lynx" Squadron out of Chatham, New Brunswick and in 1974, represented the squadron in the USAF Air-to-Air combat competition known as "William Tell" located at Tyndall AFB, Panama City FL.
In 1975, Books joined the 416 Aerial Demonstration team (known as "Lynx Formation"), flying in the lead position with Major Jim Shirley.
Books continued to fly with the 416 until around 1980, when he posted to the 409 "Nighthawks" Squadron out of Comox, British Columbia, which defended the North Pacific approach to North America.
While with the 409, he flew with the 1980 and 1981 "The Hawks" demonstration aerobatics teams; flying in the lead position with Captain Lynn Housworth in 1980, and in the #4 slot with Captain Ed Campbell in 1981.
In 1982, Books again represented his squadron in the newly renamed "USAF William Tell Air-to-Air Weapons Meet" while again flying with (pilot) Capt. Ed Campbell in CF-101B tail # 101034.
During the meet, the Canadian squadrons dominated the F-101 category and 409 won the "Top Unit" award while flying against USAF squadrons from New York, California, Washington, Montana, Michigan, Florida, Virginia, New Mexico, Germany, Japan and Iceland.
Captain Books subsequently had some of these accomplishments engraved into the caseback of the Rolex:
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"Wm BOOKS
MATTERHORN
1962
Wm TELL
1974
1982"
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After retiring from the RCAF in 1985, Bill moved to British Columbia, but continued to fly until the age of 70.
During his 25 year career with the RCAF, Captain Books flew in the height of the Cold War under the Air Defense Command and later the Tactical Air Group, in support of both NATO and NORAD operations.
What stood out to me the most while researching Capt Books is that his 25 year career in the RCAF actually runs parallel to that of the McDonnell CF-101B Voodoo.
The first Voodoos were transferred to Canada on 24 July 1961, while Bill got his wings on 17 June 1960.
Both Capt Books and the RCAF CF-101B retired in 1985.
Bill passed away on August 31, 2020, at the age of 82.
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Condition / Details... Being a VINTAGE preowned watch it is not perfect and may have slight wear.
Watch Case: In excellent Vintage preowned condition. - Small Micro scratches from handling - Lug Chamfers are partially intact -- Numbers between the lugs have wear (which is common of a watch of this age) but numbers are all readable. -- See MACRO Pics.
Dial/Hands: Dial and hands are in exceptional condition - All original and unrestored. Has developed a gorgeous rich chocolate brown patina - Very difficult to get the chocolate to show up in pics. The Clearcoat is in excellent condition with only a couple very light scratches from hand drag. NOTE: Scratches you see in the pics are just in the clearcoat and no paint loss on the dial - Scratches are not visible under the crystal to the naked eye. - See Pics.
Bezel: In excellent Vintage preowned condition. Light scratches. Pearl intact. -- See MACRO Pics.
Crystal: In excellent condition - light scratches - See Pics.
Band/Bracelet: In excellent Vintage preowned condition. - Only minor scratches from handling - Hinge pin in clasp is nice and tight -- See Pics
Accessories: Condition as pictured. -- See Pics
Functionality: Watch is running properly and functions as it should. Winds and sets smoothly.
* Unless specifically stated watches have not been recently serviced. We try to describe the watch's present condition as detailed as possible, but with any preowned watch it may benefit from a future service.
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Please review all photos/video as they are considered part of the item's description. If you would like additional pics or details please don't hesitate to contact us. 866.997.6539
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A FEW NOTES REGARDING VINTAGE WATCHES:
Some things to keep in mind when buying / wearing "vintage" watches...
Vintage watches are generally not considered water resistant especially by today's standards. In most cases we consider them "splash only".
They are also not as shock resistant (impact resistant) therefore it is not recommended to wear them during certain activities (hitting golf balls; hitting tennis balls; playing contact sport; riding motorcycles, etc...)
The watches may not maintain the same accuracy levels as modern watches. If you are expecting a watch that will keep time within 2-5 seconds per day then a vintage is probably not the way to go.
While we do our best to maintain / service vintage watches it is sometimes not possible to obtain parts or achieve modern standards. Therefore, we cannot make any guarantees or claims regarding the accuracy functionality of said watches.
We also try to take several MACRO photos of our watches to display an accurate representation of what you are buying. If you have questions or would like additional pics we are happy to help.
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PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING NOTES BEFORE BIDDING OR PURCHASING
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International Buyers: Sorry but International Shipping is not available on this item.
Buyers with fewer than 10 transactions or with accounts newer than 30 days must contact us before purchasing or bidding. Otherwise we reserve the right to cancel the transaction and refund the payment.
Buyers must contact us within 48 hours of auction completion.
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Item Location: Located (by appointment) in downtown St. Petersburg, Florida (33701), and available for local face to face transactions.
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Returns: All sales are final. Please ensure the watch you are buying is the make and model you are looking for. We are here to assist you in the process. Please feel free to contact us BEFORE purchasing to ensure this is the correct watch you are looking for. If under special circumstances we agree to accept a return there will be a 15% restocking fee.
The customer is responsible for the freight charges to return an item to us. We highly recommend an insured carrier with tracking to verify package delivery. Any item returned without prior authorization will be shipped back to the customer at the customer's expense. Buyer is responsible for shipping charges both ways.
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About Us: QualityTyme Rare & Fine Timepieces is family owned and operated since 1999. John E. Brozek has been collecting, appraising and authenticating exceptional timepieces for nearly 30 years.
Author of The Rolex Report, a critically acclaimed series of reference books, published since 1999, and used by thousands of Rolex dealers & collectors around the world.
Member of the NAWCC, IWJG, AWCI, & WWT and have world-wide references. Buy, Sell, Trade, Consign, Source and Offer Expert Watch Repair and Restoration Services for most premium brand watches.
We have been selling on eBay since 1999, and offer an excellent selection of Rare & Fine Timepieces as well as Estate Jewelry, watches-related accessories and collectibles.
If you have any questions please feel free to call. We are also available by appointment in downtown St Petersburg, Florida (33701).
PLEASE NOTE: MOST ITEMS LISTED IN OUR EBAY STORE ARE ALSO OFFERED FOR SALE LOCALLY AS WELL AS ON OUTER VENUES. THEREFORE, WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO END THIS LISTING IF SOLD ELSEWHERE AND HAS NOT BEEN COMMITTED TO HERE ON EBAY.
QUALITYTYME RARE & FINE TIMEPIECES IS NOT AFFILIATED WITH ROLEX USA OR ANY OTHER WATCH COMPANY LISTED. ALL WATCHES SOLD ARE PREOWNED AND FACTORY WARRANTIES ARE NO LONGER ACTIVE.
**** WE DO OUR BEST TO DESCRIBE OUR LISTINGS AS ACCURATELY AS POSSIBLE AND WE TAKE SEVERAL MACRO PHOTOS TO SHOW CONDITION. PLEASE REVIEW ALL PHOTOS FOR ACCURATE DESCRIPTION. NOT LIABILITY FOR TYPOS OR ERRORS IN THE LISTING DESCRIPTION.