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The Two Face of Submariner 5508
The Small Crown Submariner, particularly the 5508 is known as the charming and elegant Submariner, due to the thin case and small crown. Especially also if it comes on a nice glossy black gilt dial like this 
Photo from Abel, Subexplorer
A truly under the radar watch.
But when it comes on a Tropical Dial, it could look totally different.
Sleek case but with a highly contrasting dial color..
One of the earliest example from 1958
Best,
Sam
Vintage
Explore Bill's essential guide to vintage Rolex box references (1950s-2000s). Identify correct packaging for Submariner, GMT-Master, Daytona, and more.
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The Two Face of Submariner 5508
The Small Crown Submariner, particularly the 5508 is known as the charming and elegant Submariner, due to the thin case and small crown. Especially also if it comes on a nice glossy black gilt dial like this Photo from Abel, Subexplorer A truly under the ...
Here are two interesting examples of seen Rolex 5508.
The tropical dial Rolex 5508 has an exclamation point which would lead you to think glossy dial. This example is a 700k serial watch but it must have enjoyed an humid life. Great presence on the wrist. Rolex 5508 tropical dial exclamation point Rolex 5508...
It's always great to see different examples from you Bill..
The fun of vintage Rolex is that they used to be utilized as tool, and that\'s why we see many pieces in different condition. And the ageing makes them look very different from one another. What I want to know from you, is that the 4 line variant of the 5...
You are raising an important and frightening point...
Same reference, but two different dials. Normally, this is a no go rule for me, but in the case of vintage Rolex, there are worthy exceptions, I think. They are so complementary! Best, and bravo, Sam. Nicolas
The 5508 is a very interesting reference
As it started out when they were still using high radium dial, and towards the end of the run, it comes on lower radium dial , with exclamation mark. Made them come in very different look from one another. Best, Sam