The Rolex Submariner holds a unique place in horological history. First launched in 1953, it was created specifically for professional divers, offering a masterclass in blending rugged functionality with exceptional design. Those early examples featured a bi-directional rotating bezel for tracking decompression times, a striking black-and-gilt luminous dial, a screw-down crown, and a 38mm waterproof case rated to a depth of 100 meters. Crucially, they lacked the crown guards we see today. Always striving to refine the tool watch, Rolex began production on a new reference in 1958: the legendary 5510.
Serious Submariner collectors know exactly how historically important this particular reference is. In production for just over a single year, only a relatively tiny number of pieces were ever made. While accounts differ on the exact production run, my estimation points to approximately 500 pieces, based on known surviving serial numbers ranging from 361800 to 362299. This makes the 5510 one of the rarest Submariners in existence.
Technically, it was a pioneer. It was among the first references to house the Calibre 1530 automatic movement, which featured a Breguet hairspring and ran at 18,000 bph. Although not a certified chronometer, it was absolutely a chronometer-grade movement—and, in my opinion, one of the finest Rolex ever engineered.
Beyond the inner workings, the 5510 brought significant external upgrades, including a bezel sporting a vibrant red triangle at 12 o’clock and an improved waterproof rating down to 200 meters—a massive engineering feat at the time. While most dials featured the classic layout of luminous baton and dot hour markers, a few vanishingly rare examples were fitted with "Explorer" dials featuring Arabic numerals at 3, 6, and 9. And, of course, we cannot forget the imposing 8mm "Big Crown" that gives the watch its iconic silhouette.
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I see the reference 5510 as the vital bridge between Rolex’s early experimental diving watches and the modern, robust workhorses still in production today. In reality, the core design has barely changed since the 1950s—because, as the saying goes, "if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it."
Ultimately, the Rolex 5510 will always remain one of the most desirable Submariners ever built. It is as rare as they come—the ultimate 'holy grail' for many collectors (just don't mention Comex to them...).
Here at Arthur Johnson's Auctioneers in Nottingham, we are incredibly proud and excited to offer a genuine Rolex Submariner reference 5510 in our upcoming Gold, Silver, Watches, Coins & Jewellery auction on Saturday the 13th of June.
Bearing the serial number 361821, this exceptional piece dates precisely to the first quarter of 1958. While the watch is unfortunately missing its original rotating bezel, the sheer rarity of this reference means it may still be your only chance to acquire one. Do not miss this incredible opportunity to own a true artefact of horological history.