1970 5513 Sub as a daily wearer?

[M@2]

Forgive me if this has been discussed ad nauseam, but my searches didn't turn up anything too relevant so far so I'll ask.

Is it a terrible idea to get a 1970 (birth year) Submariner 5513 as a daily watch? I wouldn't need it to be ultra accurate, but like +- 12 sec a day or so? Would the upkeep outweigh the fun of wearing it?

The oldest Rolex I've has was mid 80's so hoping to hear opinions/experience from anyone with an older daily watch.

[donq]

It’s all about whether or not you can afford the risk.

It’s would do fine but at some point something will go wrong, and it will be expensive to repair and parts are not easily available.

Something like the dial on a watch like that can be a large chunk of its value, and if you knock a chunk of lume off, or it leaks and water damages it, it’s going to cost you.

So, you just have to ask if it’s worth it to you.

[hutch300]

I think it can be a daily with proper upkeep. If you can afford the watch and the service, go for it. Like dong said, there is risk. If it was a dialy and something goes wrong, fix it and continue to enjoy it.

[csaltphoto]

They aren't terribly rare or that expensive. It's like an old car in that you might want to research the price of ownership before you buy. Maybe reach out to someone like Rolliworks and see what they think about service issues. Mike has custom machined parts for older Rolexes. I'm sure other watchmakers have as well. The old folded link bracelets were pretty terrible though.

[Mk2rick]

i dont see what it cant! Subs are built like a tank. As long as its serviced routinely and all the waterproofing tests have been done.

[Apdl]

the 5512/5513 are classics of classics.
I think that would be a cool wear

[996marty]

It would make a perfect daily and would look great at the same time

[Fredrik]

I have worn a 70s submariner and GMT master daily for many many years, the accuracy is not a problem if you have consistent wearing patterns. I got mine adjusted to within +2s/day. You can also regulate them slightly yourself by resting it in different positions over night.

You might want to use a somewhat newer bracelet, a 93150 with 580 end link fittings.

[Dr.Smellody]

Originally Posted by Fredrik

I have worn a 70s submariner and GMT master daily for many many years, the accuracy is not a problem if you have consistent wearing patterns. I got mine adjusted to within +2s/day. You can also regulate them slightly yourself by resting it in different positions over night.

You might want to use a somewhat newer bracelet, a 93150 with 580 end link fittings.

This@ 100%

[interestedwatcher]

1520 movement is a workhorse - keep it serviced, treat it like it isn't water proof (not with you in the shower, or in steamy enviroments) and it will be fine.

[shammad10]

I wear a 1680 as a daily and it's perfect.

As a side note...I'd forget the whole birth year thing. It really just pigeon holes you into accepting a worse watch. Back in those days, it was very common for a watch to be made one year and sold years later- so what are you after? Serial dating to 1970 or sale in 70?

Eric Wind talks about how birth year watches is one of his biggest pet peeves on his podcast!!

[Andad]

It is an older model, enjoy wearing it as a daily with care.

[shaunylw]

Originally Posted by Fredrik

I have worn a 70s submariner and GMT master daily for many many years, the accuracy is not a problem if you have consistent wearing patterns. I got mine adjusted to within +2s/day. You can also regulate them slightly yourself by resting it in different positions over night.

You might want to use a somewhat newer bracelet, a 93150 with 580 end link fittings.

Exactly what i was thinking. Swap the bracelet, and wear it.


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[padi56]

Originally Posted by Andad

It is an older model enjoy wearing it as a daily with care.

Exactly that Eddie as long as any Rolex has been serviced regularly its safe to wear daily I regularly wear some of mine from the late 1930s.

[tekno]

Put it on a new 93150 and your GTG, it will cost you 13-1400 from Rolex. Walk in with it on a nato and tell them it didn’t have a band. I think you want 580 endlinks.

I have worn a vintage Rolex every waking hour since 2018, the ONLY time I had an issue is wearing my 1982 Tudor Sub shooting a .50 machine gun. The recoil damaged the watch, cost me a grand. Prior to that, I wore my dad’s 1986 Datejust pretty much daily for 15 years or so.

As long as you have a grand to spend here and there you’re fine. Have someone check out the watch to make sure it’s sealed and be a little careful.

Life is too short to wear anything but the watch you want.


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[studioal]

There is no more or less "upkeep" than a modern watch other than it probably needing a service if it hasn't already had one. Just budget in $1000 for a full service, and get it to pass a pressure test, then wear it. What you need to be aware of accidents like losing a bezel. It's rare, but it can happen, and replacing a bezel with an original could be expensive.

I was playing with my dog outside the other day and he got his tooth hooked on my vintage Sub and it popped the bezel off and got lost for a minute in the grass. That's a $2000 bezel that I couldn't find for a moment. It's things like that, and less about the watch being fragile or delicate that you need to consider.

I wear my vintage watches daily, but if I'm fishing, doing yard work, camping or swimming I put one of my modern watches (of much lesser value) on.

[Dan S]

This topic has definitely been beaten to death on the forum. Looking back at the other threads, the consensus is always that vintage Rolex sport watches are appropriate for daily wear, as long as you're risk tolerant. Any valuable watch can be damaged, e.g. lost water resistance at some point. The difference with a vintage watch is that the damage may not be repairable. For example, if water gets inside and destroys the dial (something I've seen with both vintage and modern Rolex Subs), you will be in a tough spot with the vintage watch.

I agree with the comments above about birth-year watches. It's a silly concept that's not worth the effort, IMO. Just buy vintage watches that you like and are in great condition, and you will get a lot of joy from them. At some point, you will have some birthyear watches, by coincidence.

[inadeje]

Originally Posted by shammad10

I wear a 1680 as a daily and it's perfect.

As a side note...I'd forget the whole birth year thing. It really just pigeon holes you into accepting a worse watch. Back in those days, it was very common for a watch to be made one year and sold years later- so what are you after? Serial dating to 1970 or sale in 70?

Eric Wind talks about how birth year watches is one of his biggest pet peeves on his podcast!!

We understand birth year isn’t an exact science and many factors come into play, including those you mentioned. However, being within the ballpark of one’s birth year still feels cool on wrist.

I wear my 1960s 5513 in rotation with modern watches. I avoid water, high humidity and extreme temperatures as a general rule. However, my watch has been pressure tested and is within specifications.

[Mark020]

Perfect as daily wearer

[TuRo]

Perfectly fine to sport one every day....It's hardly like endorsing a Sinclair C5 as a daily driver !!

[Texasjim]

They are survivors for a reason…the 5513/12 are workhorses. I have a bunch of em, and rotate them often in daily circulation. If I’m getting into the water, I will wear a newer style just for insurance. If you decide to have a vintage, and plan on gettin it wet, then make sure your seals are GTG, and have it pressure tested.

[Tools]

Get it cleaned, lubed, and sealed. It won't be any more maintenance than any other Sub.

I think that you might want to think about some activities, like working on an engine rebuild, but only because you may have trouble finding parts if you do serious damage. But still, parts are available

[Gepetto]

If you get it serviced and waterproof tested (and it passes), then wearing it every day is not a problem. Get a new crystal (perhaps a Truedome - they are very good) that is robust. I'd avoid shooting guns, riding motorcycles with it, or playing golf or tennis with it. Otherwise, nothing should break if you service it with some regularity and don't abuse it too much.

I'd also insure it, just in case. But I'd do that with a new one, too.

[LugholeChris]

I wear my 66 5513 almost everyday, but swap it for my 16800 when playing outside with the kids, or when doing activities that are more rough. The good thing about old watches is that another scratch is just that - hurts more on a pristine new one



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[worldofoyster]

wear it in good health

[Rebel]

Yes.

[XavierM]

To me it is like wearing a modern Patek on a leather strap.
Careful with water, careful with some sports (golf, tennis, bicycle etc), be ready to pay a bit more for the service or if you need to replace some parts, and you’re good to go !