ROLEX Submariner Small Crown Ref. 5508 Gilt Exclamation Point Dial Box, Guarantee and Service Papers (1959)

Manufacturer - Rolex

Year - 1959

Reference - 5008 Small Crown Submariner

Movement - 1530 Automatic

Case Serial - 490131

Material -  Stainless Steel - 37 mm not including crown

Case, movement, and dial signed

13 link 7206 Rivet Bracelet with 82 endlinks - later clasp stamped 4th quarter of 69

Long 5 Bezel Insert

Geiger Counter reads as it should for a radium dial, showing over 200 CPM - lume plots and hands react the same under UV and fall off quickly as they should

The lume has aged to a warm creamy hue which is puffy as it should be for the age, with just a small amount of loss on the 10 and 11 plots -  the hands have been relumed and colour matched to the dial

Flawless Mirror Gloss Chapter Ring dial which is turning tropical on the upper portion 

The case is thick and displays prominent bevels - some surface scratches but otherwise excellent for its age

The superlative overall condition of the watch is perhaps supported by the presence of its original box, guarantee, and an array of service paperwork from the 60s through to the 80s

Here then, is an extraordinary example of one of the earliest iterations of perhaps the most iconic watch ever made

Strictly speaking the 5508 is not a "James Bond Submariner" as so many claim (Sean Connery wore a Big Crown Ref. 6538) - however there is no denying this is from the same epoch of highly prized and collectible watches from the Golden Era - a rare opportunity to own a near complete set early Sub!