The earliest dials for the 5512 are often called MK1 dials and can be easily recognized by the shape of the coronet, typically with the last spike on the right extending a bit further down than the other four. The phrase “Old Font” dial, a term often used by Marcello Pisani, was an appropriate description based on the observation that the Mk1 coronet was reminiscent of some of the previous coronets seen on the “Big Crown” Submariners from the 1950s.

During this period there are two different types of dial configurations for the 5512. There is the 2 line version with only the depth rating and “SUBMARINER” printed below it and the 4 line version with:

SUPERLATIVE CHRONOMETER
OFFICIALLY CERTIFIED

aka SCOC text , printed below the depth rating and “SUBMARINER”.

The early 5512 Submariner dials have different combinations of silver and gold text ranging from one line of silver and one line gold to three lines of silver and one line gold. The depth rating and SCOC text, when present, is in silver, while “SUBMARINER” is in gold. The silver text has been added on top of the clear lacquer finish of the dial while the gold or gilt text is the brass plate underneath the glossy black finish.

Click thumbnails below to view full-size images:

TWO-LINE VERSION

DETAIL 1

DETAIL 2

FOUR-LINE VERSION

DETAIL 1

DETAIL 2

A “grail” watch for many 5512 collectors is perhaps one of the earliest versions with:

OFFICIALLY CERTIFIED
CHRONOMETER

on the dial (below two pictures) rather than the more common SCOC text. This is analogous to the “OCC” 1675 GMT from the same time period. (OCC dial graciously contributed by KO.)

When the 5512 was introduced, it housed the 1530 calibre movement. Shortly thereafter, the 1560 calibre movement was introduced. While not a hard and fast rule, the 1530 movement is typically seen in the 2 line dials, while the 1560 movement was placed in the 4 line dials.

5512 Submariner dials from 1959 up to and including 1962 have the characteristic gold tone or gilt connected minute track also known as the chapter ring that spans the circumference of the dial at its periphery.