1979 Rolex Submariner (Ref. 5512) MAXI Mk.3 "Lollipop"

The Rolex Submariner Reference 5512 is the embodiment of the classic dive watch. The 5512 is simple yet sophisticated and rugged whilst becoming increasingly more uncommon and collectible. Ref 5512 was first introduced in 1958 and ceased production in late 1978. The 5513 was introduced a few years later in 1962 and was in production till 1989.

The Ref. 5512 like the Ref 5513 is a purpose-built dive watch that lacks the date function like other Rolex Submariner models. (eg. Ref. 1680.)  The main difference between the Rolex Submariner Ref 5513 and Rolex reference 5512 is the caliber of movement within the case. The Rolex Submariner 5512 and Submariner 5513 started both out with the Rolex caliber 1530 movement but the Rolex Submariner Ref 5512 later on was equipped with a chronometer-certified caliber 1560 and 1570 movement, bearing the chronometer writing on the dial above the 6 o'clock position AKA the 4 lines of text as opposed to the non-chronometer certified 2 liner dial's of ref 5513's which is the easiest and most universally known way to tell the difference between the 5512 and 5513 references of no date matte dial submariners. The 5512 is much rarer than the 5513, as it was the more expensive to produce and not as popular for its retail price. It said that for every five 5513s made in the 1970s one 5512 was made.

The 4-line Mk. 3 MAXI dial variant for the 5512 is one of the rarest and most sought after matte dials produced by Rolex as a whole. The Mk.3 dial also known as the "Lollipop" dial is also the most sought after MAXI dial variant among all no-date matte dial Submariners, this is because the Mk. 3 features the largest lume plots of the 5 variants in the MAXI dial range. The font identifiers for the 5513 and 5512 MAXI dials remain consistent between the two references, the only difference is the extra text for the 5512 signifying the Chronometer rating of the movement.

There are several features of the Maxi III Dial that are distinct:

• The large tritium hour plots that often appear to touch the 5-minute hash marks
• The large “open 6’s”, the unique serif on the “f” in the depth rating
• The fact that the two “0’s” in the “200m” depth rating line up directly underneath the “N and E” in “SUBMARINER”