Rolex Submariner 5510

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About the Rolex Submariner 5510

The Rolex Submariner 5510 is a Big Crown Submariner from the James Bond era, produced for essentially the single 1958 model year. It is the only Big Crown to run the non-chronometer Caliber 1530, and one of the rarest Submariners Rolex ever made. A near-twin of the famous 6538, it belongs to the small group of oversized-crown 1950s Submariners that includes the on-screen Bond watch. WatchGuys carries pre-owned and vintage 5510 watches, each authenticated in-house and backed by a 2-year warranty. Below we cover what the 5510 is, the details collectors verify before buying, what it costs, and how it compares to its Big Crown sibling.

What Is the Rolex 5510?

The 5510 is a no-crown-guard Rolex Submariner produced essentially in 1958 in a 38mm stainless steel Oyster case. It carries the oversized 8mm "Brevet" winding crown that defines a Big Crown, allowing operation with diving gloves, and a robust case rated to 200 meters. Its defining technical feature is the movement: alone among the Big Crown Submariners, the 5510 uses the non-chronometer Caliber 1530 rather than the chronometer-grade Caliber 1030 of the Rolex 6538. It carries a gilt black dial, radium lume, Mercedes hands, a long lollipop seconds hand, a domed acrylic crystal, and a rotating bezel, and some examples wear the gilt Explorer 3-6-9 dial. Because it was made for such a short time, the 5510 is one of the scarcest references in the entire Submariner catalog, and it followed the first Big Crown, the Rolex 6200, in the oversized-crown lineage.

At this rarity, everything comes down to originality. Because the 5510 was produced for such a brief window and looks nearly identical to the far better-known 6538, correct-reference identification and dial originality are central to any purchase. The gilt dial is the heart of the watch and the single greatest driver of value, followed by the big crown, the correct Caliber 1530 movement, the hands, and the bezel, all of which must be right and period-correct. Given the values involved and how closely the reference resembles its sibling, expert authentication is essential, and we verify dial, movement, crown, and case authenticity in the deepest detail on every 5510 we handle.

Rolex 5510 Price

Pre-owned and vintage Rolex 5510 watches at WatchGuys typically range from $60,000 to $150,000 or more, placing it among the most valuable Submariners and firmly in the top tier of collectible vintage Rolex. Its extreme scarcity, from a single year of production, is a major driver, along with the originality and condition of the gilt dial, the crown, the Caliber 1530 movement, and the case, and any documented provenance. Rarer gilt Explorer dials and exceptional, well-provenanced examples trade toward the top and beyond. As one of the rarest Big Crown Submariners and part of the Bond-era story, the 5510 sits near the top of vintage Rolex collecting. For pricing and availability on a specific 5510, contact our team directly.

Rolex 5510 vs. 6538

The 5510 and the Rolex 6538 are the two Big Crown Submariners of the late 1950s, and they are nearly identical: the same 38mm case, oversized 8mm crown, 200-meter rating, gilt dial, and no crown guards. The defining difference is the movement. The 6538 uses the chronometer-grade Caliber 1030 and, on its four-line dials, carries chronometer certification, while the 5510 uses the non-chronometer Caliber 1530 and a two-line dial. The 6538 is the more famous of the two as the confirmed James Bond watch from Dr. No, though because the 5510 is so visually similar, some collectors have argued it could have been an on-screen watch as well. The 5510 is by far the rarer of the two, made for only a single year. Both descend from the first Big Crown, the Rolex 6200. For the small-crown Submariner of the same era, see the Rolex 6536, or browse our full Rolex Submariner lineup and vintage Rolex collection.

Trusted Dealer

Why Buy a Rolex 5510 From WatchGuys

Every pre-owned Rolex 5510 for sale at WatchGuys is authenticated, accurately described, and protected end to end. On a reference this rare and this valuable, scrutiny is everything, and here is what comes with every purchase.

Common Questions

Rolex 5510 FAQ

• What Makes the 5510 Different From the 6538?

  The movement. The 5510 is the only Big Crown Submariner to use the non-chronometer Caliber 1530, while the near-identical 6538 uses the chronometer-grade Caliber 1030. Externally the two are nearly the same, with the same 38mm case, 8mm Big Crown, 200-meter rating, and gilt dial, but the 5510 carries a two-line dial without chronometer text. The 5510 was also made for only a single year, which makes it considerably rarer than the 6538.

• Is the 5510 a James Bond Submariner?

  It is part of the Bond-era story. The watch worn by Sean Connery in Dr. No is generally identified as the Big Crown 6538, but because the 5510 is so nearly identical in appearance, some collectors have argued it could plausibly have been an on-screen watch as well. The consensus favors the 6538, but the 5510's near-twin status places it firmly within the "James Bond Submariner" conversation, and it is often discussed in that context.

• Why Is the 5510 So Rare?

  The 5510 was produced for essentially a single model year, around 1958, a far shorter run than the multi-year 6538. That brief production, combined with the natural attrition of seventy-year-old tool watches, means very few original examples survive. Its rarity, its Big Crown, and its place in the Bond-era lineage make it one of the most sought-after and valuable Submariners in existence.

• Why Is the 5510 Called a Big Crown?

  The 5510 earns the Big Crown name from its oversized 8mm "Brevet" winding crown, much larger than the 6mm crown of the small-crown references. The larger crown was designed to be operated with diving gloves and paired with a case rated to 200 meters. Only a few Submariner references are Big Crowns, the 6200, 6538, and 5510, and all are among the most collectible vintage Rolex watches in existence.

• How Much Does a Rolex 5510 Cost?

  Pre-owned and vintage 5510 prices at WatchGuys typically range from $60,000 to $150,000 or more, among the highest of any Submariner. Its single-year rarity is a major factor, along with the originality and condition of the gilt dial, crown, Caliber 1530 movement, and case, plus documented provenance. Rarer gilt Explorer dials and exceptional examples trade toward the top and beyond. Contact our team for pricing and availability on a specific 5510.

• Does the 5510 Have Crown Guards?

  No. Despite its oversized crown, the 5510 has no crown guards, the small protective shoulders that appeared later. Crown guards did not reach the Submariner until the 5512 in 1959, the year after the 5510. On the 5510 the large unprotected Big Crown is a defining part of the design, prized by collectors for its purposeful, first-generation tool-watch character.

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