A replica Rolex Submariner 5512 is a counterfeit copy of a vintage dive watch that Rolex built from 1959 to about 1980. The real 5512 is a 40mm steel Submariner with crown guards, no date window, and a chronometer-rated movement. Replicas copy the look, not the engineering, and selling one in the US is a federal crime.
What makes the 5512 different from other Submariners?
The 5512 was the first Submariner sold with crown guards, and it was the chronometer-rated version of the no-date Sub. Rolex built it alongside the 5513, which looked much the same but carried no chronometer certification.
- Production years: 1959 to roughly 1980
- Case: 40mm Oystersteel, 20mm lug width, screw-down caseback
- Crystal: acrylic, Tropic 19 profile
- Movement: caliber 1530, then 1560, then 1570; the 1570 hacks
- Dial: no date, no cyclops, with chronometer text the 5513 does not have
- Bezel: rotating dive bezel; insert fonts and markings changed through the run
- Depth rating: 200m, printed as meters-first on early dials and feet-first on later ones
Rolex changed small details year by year: crown guard shape, dial finish, lume compound, and bezel insert lettering. That matters for anyone comparing a replica to a real example.
What do replica 5512s get wrong?
Most replica 5512s start life as a generic Submariner case with a vintage-looking dial printed on top. The result looks close in photos and falls apart under a loupe.
- A date window. The 5512 never had one. Any replica with a date and cyclops is the wrong base watch entirely.
- Crown guard shape. Vintage guards are slimmer and taper toward the crown. Modern clones carry thick, blocky guards.
- Dial printing. Font weight, letter spacing, and the depth rating all drift. Chronometer lines are often the wrong size or missing.
- Fake patina. Real tritium on a 50-year-old dial darkens, cracks, and flakes. Painted "aged" lume sits flat and even.
- Bezel insert. Pip shape and numeral font are common tells, though inserts get swapped on genuine watches too.
- Movement. A Chinese clone does not share the bridge layout of a caliber 1570.
- Caseback stampings. Reference numbers and date codes inside the caseback rarely match the era being copied.
Is it legal to buy or sell a replica Submariner in the US?
No. Trafficking in counterfeit goods is a federal offense under 18 U.S.C. § 2320, and US Customs and Border Protection can seize counterfeit shipments at the border. A single buyer is unlikely to face charges, but the watch can be confiscated with no refund and no recourse.
Trademark owners can also sue sellers under the Lanham Act for damages and profits. That risk falls on the importer and the reseller, not just the factory in China.
How do genuine and replica 5512 prices compare?
Genuine 5512 examples trade in the five figures, and rare dial variants climb higher at auction. Replica 5512s sell for a tiny fraction of that, from tens of dollars for a basic copy to a few hundred for a dressed-up build.
The gap exists because vintage replicas are a small corner of the counterfeit market. Most high-effort clone production goes into modern references like the 116610 and 126610, where demand is bigger and the tooling pays for itself.
Why are vintage references hard to copy well?
Modern Submariners reward good CNC machining. Vintage ones reward details that machine work cannot fake: rolled case edges, gilt dials, stepped chapter rings, and lume that aged in place.
A genuine 5512 gets its value from originality. A replacement dial or relume job can cut the price by thousands. A replica starts with none of that value and gains none as it ages.
What should you check when you inspect a 5512?
- Look for a date. There should not be one. A date window ends the conversation.
- Measure the case. 40mm across, 20mm between the lugs, acrylic crystal.
- Read the dial. Chronometer 5512 dials carry "SUPERLATIVE CHRONOMETER" and "OFFICIALLY CERTIFIED" text. The 5513 does not.
- Study the crown guards. Slim, tapered, and shaped by hand on the real thing.
- Inspect the lume. Tritium should show uneven aging that follows the plot. Flat, uniform color suggests paint.
- Check the lugs. The reference number sits between the lugs at 12 o'clock and the serial at 6 o'clock.
- Open the caseback. Stamped reference and date codes should match the dial era and the movement inside.
Common questions about the 5512
Does the Submariner 5512 have a date?
No. The 5512 is a no-date Submariner. Rolex put dates on the Submariner Date line, which uses a different reference and a cyclops lens.
What movement is in a 5512?
Rolex used caliber 1530 early in the run, moved to the 1560, and finished with the 1570. The 1570 is the one collectors favor because it hacks.
Are replica watches covered by warranty or service?
No. Rolex will not service a counterfeit, and authorized watchmakers will not touch one. Any repair falls to the seller, and most sellers disappear after the sale.
Can a replica 5512 be resold?
Rarely, and not above what you paid. Resale of counterfeit goods is illegal in the US, and marketplaces remove listings when they spot them.