Finally Found The Perfect 5513!

[WatchEater666]

I've been on the hunt for a nice 60's 5513 with good patina and then this popped up. I like my vintage watches with wear so I dont have to feel bad about wearing them.

Got this one from Jacek at Tropical Watch here on the forum, who was awesome. Swapped the strap out and shipped same day my wire hit. Would happily buy again from him.

[Dan S]

Congrats. You should post a photo.

[WatchEater666]

Originally Posted by Dan S

Congrats. You should post a photo.

Hmm is it not showing up? I can see it on my side. I edited the OP to swap the IMGUR link for an FB one.

[mountainjogger]

Awesome. Congrats.

[Dan S]

Now I can see the photo. I'm not sure I've seen that sort of dial before. Is that pattern due to the lacquer lifting and bubbling?

[WatchEater666]

Originally Posted by Dan S

Now I can see the photo. I'm not sure I've seen that sort of dial before. Is that pattern due to the lacquer lifting and bubbling?

Not 100%. There are some higher res images on Jacek's site

[Jackie Daytona]

Congrats. Love the vintage Subs

[Old Expat Beast]

Was wondering what nickname Jacek had given that dial.

Joan Miro

https://tropicalwatch.com/watches/w7fp

[btinl]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

Was wondering what nickname Jacek had given that dial.

Joan Miro

https://tropicalwatch.com/watches/w7fp

[Filipão]

Hope the price reflected the truly damaged dial...

[MrChamfers]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

Was wondering what nickname Jacek had given that dial.

Joan Miro

https://tropicalwatch.com/watches/w7fp

How about Jackson Pollock?

It's easier just to call the dial "excellent" !

[Old Expat Beast]

Originally Posted by MrChamfers

How about Jackson Pollock?

It's easier just to call the dial "excellent" !

Did you click the link? The "Joan Miro" name is above the poetic description: "The tropical gilt dial is excellent showing an extensive and even pattern of patina that looks like it could be an abstract modernist painting."

Jackson Pollock would be reserved for water damage, I think.

[MrChamfers]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

Did you click the link? The "Joan Miro" name is above the poetic description: "The tropical gilt dial is excellent showing an extensive and even pattern of patina that looks like it could be an abstract modernist painting."

Jackson Pollock would be reserved for water damage, I think.

[mjolnir2thor]

Originally Posted by WatchEater666

I've been on the hunt for a nice 60's 5513 with good patina and then this popped up. I like my vintage watches with wear so I dont have to feel bad about wearing them.

Got this one from Jacek at Tropical Watch here on the forum, who was awesome. Swapped the strap out and shipped same day my wire hit. Would happily buy again from him.

Congratulations on your 5513!!!

I saw that watch a few times on TW’s site as I often cruise through there seeing what 5513s are in stock.

[linesiders]

Interesting, the bubbling is what it is but killer dial underneath. Being almost as old, my face has some issues too ; )



Great Pickup - enjoy it ; )

[1William]

Congratulations.

[TuRo]

Originally Posted by linesiders

Interesting, the bubbling is what it is but killer dial underneath. Being almost as old, my face has some issues too ; )



Great Pickup - enjoy it ; )

I like an interesting old dial too occasionally - lume plots and gilt coronet, writing, minutes markers and H/set very sweet. Looks like a 64 5 ticks Singer Gilt.

[springer]

Originally Posted by WatchEater666

I've been on the hunt for a nice 60's 5513 with good patina and then this popped up. I like my vintage watches with wear so I dont have to feel bad about wearing them.

Got this one from Jacek at Tropical Watch here on the forum, who was awesome. Swapped the strap out and shipped same day my wire hit. Would happily buy again from him.

Did you consider having the dial swapped out instead of the strap? The dial looks like its a day away from the dial lacquer from coming off. Calling this dial "excellent" was quite brave indeed!

[Dan S]

Originally Posted by springer

Did you consider having the dial swapped out instead of the strap? The dial looks like its a day away from the dial lacquer from coming off. Calling this dial "excellent" was quite brave indeed!

Indeed, I am a bit concerned about how the dial might deteriorate in the future. I can understand the appeal to the current appearance, but if those bubbles start to flake off, it's going to be unattractive.

[swish77]

Congrats, OP! As long as you're happy, that's all that matters. It's certainly a funky, striking dial. Let's hope it doesn't start flaking.

[WatchEater666]

Do you guys think the flaking risk is really really high? I figured if it looks like this after ~55+ years, then there wont be much risk for another few years.

[Tom1675]

Originally Posted by MrChamfers

How about Jackson Pollock?

It's easier just to call the dial "excellent" !

Dewy spider dial

[HERITAGE82]

Originally Posted by WatchEater666

Do you guys think the flaking risk is really really high? I figured if it looks like this after ~55+ years, then there wont be much risk for another few years.

Should be fine considering as you said its been 55 years and you aren't going to be wearing it diving or anything. As long as the seals are good then its somewhat in a capsule.

[hutch300]

I understand that the OP likes the dial and I am on board with things aging and not being perfect. What I hope is the price reflected the dial condition and my beef is what was stated above... dial is not "excellent". Jacek is great but that is beyond a stretch.

[Dan S]

Originally Posted by WatchEater666

Do you guys think the flaking risk is really really high? I figured if it looks like this after ~55+ years, then there wont be much risk for another few years.

I think it's very hard to predict when these dials will start flaking, but once the flaking starts, it often goes pretty quickly. I have seen owners report this on several occasions with photo evidence. One day they take a look at the watch, and the dial has deteriorated badly. Obviously you really don't know the history of the watch, but blistered lacquer will eventually flake off and personally I avoid dials with large blisters, unless it's a low value watch where I don't really mind the look.

[springer]

Originally Posted by WatchEater666

Do you guys think the flaking risk is really really high? I figured if it looks like this after ~55+ years, then there wont be much risk for another few years.

The dial is severely damaged. Too bad this damage wasn't discussed with you before the purchase. The dial is not tropical, it doesn't even have character - it is severely damaged.

[boring_sandwich]

It that rust on the dial around the 6 and 7 o'clock markers, possible water damage?

[WatchEater666]

Originally Posted by boring_sandwich

It that rust on the dial around the 6 and 7 o'clock markers, possible water damage?

There's light brown all over the dial if you blast it with light. I don't think it's water damage.

[WatchEater666]

Originally Posted by Dan S

I think it's very hard to predict when these dials will start flaking, but once the flaking starts, it often goes pretty quickly. I have seen owners report this on several occasions with photo evidence. One day they take a look at the watch, and the dial has deteriorated badly. Obviously you really don't know the history of the watch, but blistered lacquer will eventually flake off and personally I avoid dials with large blisters, unless it's a low value watch where I don't really mind the look.

Yeah aligned. When I blast it with light and look closely, none of the dial cracks look too deep.

[offrdmania]

I hate how the marketers of vintage pieces praise these dials as exotic or as patina in order to ask ungodly prices for what is essentially a damaged dial.