Rolex Submariner Ref. 5508 "Exclamation" 4-Lines SCOC From 1962

The Reference 5508 is one of those short-lived Rolex iterations, produced for roughly four years between 1958 and 1962. This particular example is an honest and exceptionally beautiful watch on the wrist. The lume has aged to a deep mustard tone, complementing the gilt text and chapter ring beautifully. Equally appealing is the original bezel, which has gracefully faded to a rich blue hue that perfectly suits the overall character of the watch. The watch is fitted with an earlier 1960 riveted Oyster bracelet in very good condition, showing virtually no stretch. The movement displays strong patina, yet performs remarkably well, currently running at approximately -5 seconds per day on the timegrapher—an impressive result for a watch over 60 years old. Turning to the dial, this piece features a subtle spider dial, only noticeable under certain angles of light, further emphasizing the honest and untouched nature of the watch. The “Exclamation” dial takes its name from the small luminous dot placed beneath the 6 o’clock marker. This detail was introduced to signify the use of tritium luminous material, indicating lower radioactivity levels than earlier radium dials. Roughly a year later, Rolex standardized the now-familiar “Swiss – T < 25” designation. Interestingly, this watch currently measures approximately 2.1 CPS on a Geiger counter. Most notably, the dial features four lines of text—often referred to by collectors as a “SCOC” configuration—which is exceptionally rare for a 5508 Exclamation dial and seldom encountered. This indicates the presence of a chronometer-certified movement, much like the distinction between the Rolex Submariner 5512 and 5513, though in the case of the 5508, Rolex did not assign a separate reference number for these chronometer-certified examples. We acquired this watch from its original owner in May 2026, a young woman who inherited it from her late father. Passionate and remarkably knowledgeable about the piece, she had spent years researching and understanding the special details of her inheritance. It ultimately took us several months to complete the purchase. Specifications Model: Rolex Submariner Reference: 5508 Year of Manufacture: 1962 Serial Number: 764,6xx Case Size: 37.5mm Movement: Cal. 1560 (Chronometer-Certified) Bezel: Original bezel, no lume plot Bracelet: Riveted Oyster bracelet (1960) with 64 end links Box & Papers: No Comments: Honest and attractive example featuring a subtle spider dial, only visible under certain angles of light. Fitted with a replaced plexiglass crystal, original Tropic-16 Rolex part. Movement is functioning properly and performing well. Retains its original bezel and period-correct riveted Oyster bracelet.