A vintage Rolex red triangle sub? 🧐
Not long ago, I posted a photo of a vintage Rolex Explorer “honeycomb” dial.
This is its other friend, the “red triangle” Rolex. The Rolex Submariner 5508 featured a red triangle on the bezel. The red triangle insert is an original Rolex feature, found on 1959 5508s or early 5512 variants.
This watch is, in my estimation, one of the most collectible Rolex subs ever. I have personally seen some priced at $100,000 on Chrono24. (Not a bad investment if you bought one new in 1959.)
HOWEVER… This, like its little brother, is also a "clone." Designed once again to have faux patination, wear, scuffs, scratches, and all.
Vintage charm, modern durability—that is, if you can stomach it being fake.
Again, I find fake watches detestable. However, in the case of vintage watches such as this, which are pieces of history and highly collectible (impossible for most to ever attain), I don’t mind the idea as much. If viewing this through the lens of having fun with watches, romanticizing about a bygone era, and not taking it seriously, it actually does sound like fun.
But still, this may cross the line for many.
What are your thoughts on this funky time piece? 🧐
Fellow Watch Cruncher creating my own brand of watch accessories. A passion for watches and music.
Sean Connery, the actor that first played James Bond, wore a 6538, not a 5508, with a big crown. Moreover, Bond's original Submariner did not have a red triangle on the bezel insert. This is a myth that gets spread around on the internet too often.
Lastly, the 5508 was never in a Bond film. The 5513 Submariner was.
Hence, despite misleading, incorrect listings and articles, the 5508 is not a Bond submariner, nor will it ever be.
Edit: in case you're wondering, after my reply, OP removed "original bond submariner" from his post. I was responding to the inaccuracies of labeling the 5508 a james bond sub, or the james bond sub having a red triangle bezel insert.
I would be fine with this if it didn't say Rolex on the dial. You can have all the "fun" and wearing experience without the piracy just by putting "Replica" instead.
Another great looking clone,the aging process is excellent,that strap really makes the watch pop
Don’t wear dud watches folks. Could be the best ever but it’s a no from me.
If you like it, wear it. Sounds like a good beater watch to wear in London.
Don’t wear dud watches folks. Could be the best ever but it’s a no from me.
Chip Diamond say: Pssshhhhttt!
If you like it, wear it. Sounds like a good beater watch to wear in London.
Exactly, a good beater watch
In terms of a well executed clone built by another watch nerd, I agree.
I would be fine with this if it didn't say Rolex on the dial. You can have all the "fun" and wearing experience without the piracy just by putting "Replica" instead.
Very fair point.
Sean Connery, the actor that first played James Bond, wore a 6538, not a 5508, with a big crown. Moreover, Bond's original Submariner did not have a red triangle on the bezel insert. This is a myth that gets spread around on the internet too often.
Lastly, the 5508 was never in a Bond film. The 5513 Submariner was.
Hence, despite misleading, incorrect listings and articles, the 5508 is not a Bond submariner, nor will it ever be.
Edit: in case you're wondering, after my reply, OP removed "original bond submariner" from his post. I was responding to the inaccuracies of labeling the 5508 a james bond sub, or the james bond sub having a red triangle bezel insert.
Thank you for the input! You are correct about the references, my mistake.
There’s arguments out there for both sides, so I decided to just remove it. 🙂