Rolex Submariner Case Evolution
5508 and 5510 - case size 37mm
Notes: The lugs tend to be slightly thinner and have more of a downward curve compared to later models.
5512 "square crown guards" case size -39.5mm
Note: This was the first generation of rolex to have cg's and very few were made. The case and lugs seem to be thicker and have less of a donward curve vs the non cg model.
5512 (pointed crown guard) case size 39.5mm
Note: The case and lugs are noticeably thinner than the square cg model. Also, the edges are much sharper and not as beveled. I believe a lot of the shaping in the manufacturing process was done by hand and has lead to these inconsistencies.
5512, 5513, 5517 and 1680 - case size 39.5mm
Note: There also seems to be a lot of variance in the GC thickness, length and width within this series. These variances can be noticed on the same watch from the top CG to the bottom CG. Once again I belive the hand work during the manufacturing process has lead to these inconsistencies. (In my study of many pics it seems the bottom CG is usually thinner?) In the 1680 series is when the International Orginazation of Standardization made detail requirements on dive watches. This is when these variances seemed to stop.
16800 - case size 39mm
Note: The case and lug edges are much sharper than 1680. The case is also slightly thicker
14060 -case size 39.5mm
Note: The lugs are very similar to the 16800. Also, if you notice the CG's protude about 3/4 the length of the crown and are thinner than 16800.
16610 - case size 40mm
Note: The lugs visually look slightly fatter than 14060. This could be due to the case being slightly thicker.
Lug, Case and CG Evolution
From the bottom up
5510
5512 (square cg's)
5512 (pointed cg's)
5513
16610
5508 and 5510 - case size 37mm
Notes: The lugs tend to be slightly thinner and have more of a downward curve compared to later models.
5512 "square crown guards" case size -39.5mm
Note: This was the first generation of rolex to have cg's and very few were made. The case and lugs seem to be thicker and have less of a donward curve vs the non cg model.
5512 (pointed crown guard) case size 39.5mm
Note: The case and lugs are noticeably thinner than the square cg model. Also, the edges are much sharper and not as beveled. I believe a lot of the shaping in the manufacturing process was done by hand and has lead to these inconsistencies.
5512, 5513, 5517 and 1680 - case size 39.5mm
Note: There also seems to be a lot of variance in the GC thickness, length and width within this series. These variances can be noticed on the same watch from the top CG to the bottom CG. Once again I belive the hand work during the manufacturing process has lead to these inconsistencies. (In my study of many pics it seems the bottom CG is usually thinner?) In the 1680 series is when the International Orginazation of Standardization made detail requirements on dive watches. This is when these variances seemed to stop.
16800 - case size 39mm
Note: The case and lug edges are much sharper than 1680. The case is also slightly thicker
14060 -case size 39.5mm
Note: The lugs are very similar to the 16800. Also, if you notice the CG's protude about 3/4 the length of the crown and are thinner than 16800.
16610 - case size 40mm
Note: The lugs visually look slightly fatter than 14060. This could be due to the case being slightly thicker.
Lug, Case and CG Evolution
From the bottom up
5510
5512 (square cg's)
5512 (pointed cg's)
5513
16610
