One of the benefits of writing a blog about vintage watches that is globally recognised, is that you often learn from your followers.
Ever seen a Rolex submariner with a Portuguese import stamp? Neither have I.
Just recently a collector contacted me about his Rolex submariner 5508.
The 5508 is one of many so called small crown Rolex submariners from the 1950s.
Produced from 1958 until 1962, the later versions have exclamation point dials signifying a change in lume substance away from radium. This Rolex 5508 is one of the last ones made in 1962 with 762 xxx serial nr.
I looked at the picture of the black glossy dial that the collector sent me – and it looked like a ‘normal’ original gilt dial Rolex 5508 with chapter ring dial in good condition (see picture below). I did not immediately notice something else pertaining to this watch.
On the upper left lug was a mark. I then realised that the man was writing me from Portugal and this could only mean one thing: A Portuguese import stamp (see picture below).
While I was aware that many Patek’s had these import stamps on the case of watches – I don’t recall ever seeing a Rolex submariner with such a mark.
Other Rolex models had them like this 3834, but that a Rolex sports diving watch had an import mark was new to me. It is the first time I recall a submariner ever having this. Portugal required all cases that were non-precious metals to have this import stamp, also known as ‘armadillo‘ mark.*
The fact that this watch still carries this stamp can indicate two things: 1) it is possible that this watch could have remained in Portugal all its life since the writer is writing me from Portugal. Indeed after learning more about the watch, the current owner bought it almost new from a friend in the 1980s in Portugal. 2) that the Rolex 5508 seen here must be in relatively good condition as least as it pertains to polishing. If this watch was overly polished this stamp would be faded or gone.
After I started writing this post, I learned from some collectors that Rolex submariner watches with Portugese import marks are apparently not that rare and turn up from time to time. Below a superb 5512 gilt dial with import stamp.
(Credit: Luc M from Bulang & Sons).
The import stamp clearly seen on the upper left lug below.
(Credit: Luc M from Bulang & Sons).
The same watch on the wrist of the owner at the time.
(Credit: Luc M from Bulang & Sons).
Not only Rolex submariner had import marks – it seems many sports models within Rolex had them.
Including this beautiful Cornino GMT, with chapter ring dial and exclamation point dial. (Picture credit: BP).
Learning about Rolex is a never ending story.
Although I have been blogging about watches for five years now and collecting slightly longer, I never heard of submariner carrying a Portuguese import stamp. Of course I was aware of Portuguese import stamps (for example on Pateks) but just not on Rolex sports watches. And while they are rare, they are out there. In fact, it was common for Rolex to put import marks on their watches (the French did it with a so called Poinçon de maître mark) and the Americans with the ROW mark on the movement.
A blog post dedicated to import stamps and Rolex would be a cool post don’t you think? Stay tuned my friends.
