RESERVED olex Submariner 5508 original dial hands / James bond / 2 line Gilt Exclamation 1962

 This Rolex Submariner 5508 from 1962, often referred to as the “James Bond” Submariner, is one of those rare pieces that embodies history, craftsmanship, and timeless elegance. Fun fact, after time caught up, Sean Connery as James Bond was wearing a Big Crown(6538) and not a Small Crown (5508)! Nonetheless, the 5508 is being reffered to as the "James Bond".

With its original condition intact, this watch carries the kind of character that only decades of careful preservation can offer. The patina on the dial, the warmth of the original lume, and the unmistakable charm of a vintage Rolex make this a true collector’s dream!

Diameter: 37mm – in our opinion the perfect vintage case size.

The no-crown-guards case gives this Submariner a pure, prototype-like feel, a design long before the evolution of modern crown guards. Today, we take them for granted, but this sleek, unprotected silhouette harks back to the Submariner’s earliest days, when form followed function with absolute simplicity. A true collector’s detail, it embodies the raw essence of Rolex’s legendary dive watch.

Gilt dial & original hands: This dial has aged in a truly spectacular way, showcasing what collectors often call a "tropical" or "spider" patina. The texture resembles a fine web of natural cracking, giving the surface a unique, organic feel,. almost like an aged oil painting. The once-uniform black has developed an intricate pattern of lines, while the warm, custard-colored lume adds to its vintage charm.

This Rolex Submariner 5508, often referred to as the "Exclamation Dot", earns its nickname from the small dot positioned just below the six o’clock marker. Introduced in 1962, this subtle detail marked Rolex’s transition to tritium lume, replacing the more radioactive radium used in earlier models.

However, what makes this particular example fascinating is that, despite its exclamation dot and 1962 production year, it still registers a notable radiation reading on our Geiger meter, strongly suggesting that radium was still in use for its luminescence. A rare anomaly, this watch captures a unique moment in Rolex history, bridging two eras of dial production while maintaining its unmistakable vintage charm.

We truly loved coming across this watch and hopefully we can find a great home for it. 
Watches like this don’t come around often, especially in original condition. If you know, you know.