A "what-if" scenario - 1680 instead of 5513
 

So after a few unsuccessful attempts and near misses at acquiring a 5513 Maxi from my birth year (79) for one reason or another (shady sellers, service parts like bezel, case pitting etc.) and following email exchanges with very renown sellers who have these models at present in near pristine condition, but at upwards of USD 10k, way, way outside my budget of 9k, I came across this very, very lovely looking 1680 for a price I can afford.

Isn't that the saying around these parts...buy the best at the price you can afford?

This seems less of a compromise than many of the other 5513's I've seen, and comes with box and papers. The dial looks lovely, lugs are strong, CG looks decent, pitting - no expert but looks minimal.

While the seller says its from 79, the serial no actually places it as 78 (but these are just...approximations).

No problem, the papers clearly show sold in 80, so its from the era (very late 70's, or very early 80's) that I've been interested in.

I'm not sure I'd take it because I'm not a big fan of the cyclops, but if I were to get over that (I tried a sapphire 16800 at a vintage store here locally and really liked the overall look of it including the 4 lines of text, balance of dial be damned!) I have a few quick questions:

1 - Is there anything alarmingly wrong with the watch?
2 - What is this dial called? Maxi 1, 2 etc? Same considerations as 5513? I get my second hand knowledge of 5513 dials from the excellent Beaumont Miller site. Using that, for 5513, I can verify which dial is what. What about 1680. What is this dial called? Is it considered good, bad or middle of the road?
3 - The plexi looks different. I assume this is not the domed T19 found on 5513 but still plastic? Is this the one called top hat or something? Of course, I prefer the look of the 5513 over this but this is just such a good set overall (I think).

Thoughts welcome, as I continue to evolve in my knowledge and choices.

OK - couple things:

Bracelet clasp has no logo but lots of stretch - at best mix of parts? Or sanded away?

Fabulous insert - really

Crystal - you can always swap in a dome with no cyclops.

Pitting isn't too bad but should certainly be well cleaned

It's a nice example but i'd still hold off for the maxi 5513 if it were me...

Hold out for the watch you want

After many mistakes I took a breather

Now I'm the proud owner of a 1968 5512

Just took patience

I got a very good deal and gorgeous watch

Just be patient

That's a lovely Mk 1 dial.

Whilst i like the 5513 i'm never sure why it commands so much more interest than the white 1680.

But get what you really want.

The best part is the journey... I'd wait for, stalk your 5513.

As others have said, if you're buying this out of compromise I'd wait. Ive made that mistake before and regretted it. Patience is a virtue:cheers:

So general consensus is wait...

I have no problem waiting.

I have a big problem paying more because waiting will lead me to deal with the inevitable and ongoing price increases. I envision the bare minimum for 5513 Maxi from 79 will probably be around USD 9.5k in another 6 months, if not more.

Are you only looking to buy in or around Dubai? There are plenty of dealers here in the U.S. that have nice examples for less...not much less but still.

Faizan

check this one out.... (and it is not mine)
Maxi dial (MKI) 5513
http://cda.chronomania.net/forum_entry.php?id=141734

and another one within budget...
good seller also
http://www.benwatch.com/rolex/1284_1...-5513-maxi-mk2

On the contrary I've been scouring the internet talking with sellers (mostly from Western Europe) the world over.

I asked around at a couple of stores in Dubai but they don't have it and the vintage watch scene here is in its infancy.

I don't see a way of contacting the seller. Also it looks like they've mentioned its a pre-Comex dial. I'll try google translate to figure out what they are saying.

you can can contact by logging in to the site... register first
Maxi dial is just a name, checkout beaumonts site for more info

There's a 77 1680 head only on sale here at TRF for $5000

Sounds like a great seller and I was hours away from making a payment. Then someone here raised all kinds of doubts about the bezel, the crystal etc. You can read the full turn of events here:

http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=442839

Thanks, just did using google translate to write a message in French :)

bonne chance
as for the one at Benwatch, i think the bezel is not pressed down completely and the insert should be fittet better

i was planning to buy the one on chronomania because of it's low price but since i already have a 5513 i think i'm gonna pass...

The chronomania one isn't a Maxi, but a pre-COMEX. The thicker coronet is a giveaway.

Btw, Benwatch has another 79 5513 but with a period correct bezel.

See here: http://www.chrono24.com/en/rolex/197...-id3855196.htm

Do you think it would be a good idea to swap the bezel from this one on the one I was negotiating with him?

My observations:
 

I wanted to point out a few things that may or may not be apparent.

The crown is a 703, so a service replacement. Not a big deal but it should be a 702.

Crystal is a service replacement too. Low mag and large bevels. I get what your saying about not loving the cyclops, but when it's true mag and sharp corners on a proper vintage top hat 127, that's an entirely different look in my opinion. That crystal has been polished too (note date distortion) so a nice vintage 127 would be perfect.

Clasp date code is 1980. You may be able to find a decent clasp cover from another bracelet if the rest is ok. Interesting that matches sale date? But a mid 70's dial (if it is in fact a mark I)

I agree the insert is lovely. Bezel itself is not too badly polished either.

Dial- I thought it was a mark I dial, and if it in fact is, I'm reasonably certain it is too old for the watch, meaning it was not delivered that way. I could very well be wrong and others feel free to correct me but I think it should be a later dial.

Corrosion is minimal. I assume you don't intend to dive with it so that should not b a deal breaker. But, the price should reflect the corrosion.

Please take above with a bit of salt and as constructive. I love the 1680 and really nice ones are, well, really nice.

Case polish I can't comment on. There are way more experienced people on here than me when it comes to that.

Full kit of papers is great. It might not hurt to run the serial with Rolex to see when/ if service was done by them. It may have been an independent who did the crown and crystal swap, and possibly dial.

Pure speculation here but the crown gaskets may have failed and the watch was swamped. That would explain dial crown and perhaps even movement swap. If that is the case value drops but I certainly can't tell this from the posted photos.

You could try...
I don't see a lot of difference in a maxi MKI and a pre Comex ... Do you ?
To me the only maxi with the depth above submarinet is the MKI so i could think the pre comex is a maxi MKI version because it has the same feature...?

Thanks Jim for pointing out what you feel is not right. Really puts things into perspective. I did not know that the Mark 1 dial for example was late for this period. That combined with what you've stated about the crystal and crown makes me doubt this one a bit more now.

As I've stated the differences are subtle, mostly the coronet, the placement of certain letters etc. MK has better symmetry of the written text (which may partially explain its appeal and therefore, the price premium). The Pre-comex and Maxi I are similar but distinct.

Also, have not heard back from the seller - will update if I do but the language barrier may be hard to overcome (assuming seller doesn't speak English etc.)

I'm right there with you, I sold a meters first 5513 that was immaculate but it just never did it for me, turned around and acquired a lovely 1680 white which I'll never part with!