Rolex. A very fine and extremely rare stainless steel automatic wristwatch with sweep centre seconds, bracelet and "Rolex Oyster Case" engraved case back

In production for 1 year only, 1958, reference 5510 is one of the rarest - it is actually the rarest of the "big crown" Subs - and most sought after Rolex models. The combination of the very large crown (thus the Italian nickname "coroncione", which translates to "big crown") and the lack of crown guard make it one of the most immediately recognizable Submariner models. Furthermore, the overall appearance of the watch is somehow more essential and masculine.
The present example distinguished itself for the remarkable condition of its case, retaining its proportions and the beveling to the lugs. Furthermore, it is absolutely original: the black bezel insert correctly features the playful red triangle, and the "brevet" crown perfectly matches the standard for the model. What makes this 5510 truly one-of-a-kind is its case back, which is stamped by Rolex with the designation "ROLEX OYSTER CASE". Hardly any other 5510 features such a case back: Rolex possibly abandoned this custom after few pieces were made, realizing that the Oyster designation on the dial, much more visible, would suffice. This case back gives the Rolex community an insight into the high experimentalism that defined so much the Rolex production of the third quarter of last century. The fact that the stamp is still present is a testament itself to the quality of the watch: such a fine engraving would be wiped away with even a light polishing.