Dad's 5513----Restoration

[acftmech]

This forum has been a valuable resource to me while I plan to restore my father's Rolex.
In the spirit of what this forum seems to be all about, I will attempt to use this thread to post the progress of the with pics of course.
Lets start with some pics:

[Tools]

Good looking watch..

Not sure that it needs "restoration" and would be concerned that doing very much may dramatically decrease it's value..

[Beelzy]

Don't do anything other than a movement service....seriously.

[warpath]

Conserve to preserve...That is a fine watch.

[linesiders]

Great piece, ayup. Less is significantly more here with this piece .

[Beaumont Miller II]

Seriously...
Less is more. Movement only maybe a crystal, maybe not, pressure check it, and wear it.
Don't enjoy the watch in the water.

[RC2]

Nothing to restore. It's priceless

[The_Walrus]

Originally Posted by RC2

Nothing to restore. It's priceless

My thoughts precisely when I looked at these pics.

[soundserious]

wow that thing is NICE! Leave it alone. Mine is embarrassed to be in the same thread as yours so I won't post a pic :)

[crowncollection]

movement service and crystal, and enjoy

[miamiman]

Looks like a gilt dial, don't change a thing

[mike]

Originally Posted by miamiman

Looks like a gilt dial, don't change a thing

That's what I thought. Service it and call it a day.

[Nobody.Move]

Your 5513 looks to be in excellent condition. It's circa 1964, no? I'm going to echo everyone else here: just have it serviced by an independent watchmaker/technician who's worked on lots of vintage Subs...5513s are easy to work on. You can do some stuff yourself like removing the bracelet and cleaning it with some soapy water and a soft toothbrush. And if the crystal is structurally sound (no cracks) and only has superficial scratches you can buff the blemishes out with Polywatch. I just used it on my plastic crystal and was really impressed with the results. Seriously, you'll only need to sink approx. $150-200 into your watch and you'll be set for five years or so. It's a terrific watch. Enjoy it and wear it with pride. Cheers!

[Paul]

Very nice watch. Pick your watch-maker carefully for any work though.
Still a few out there who would polish that case in an instant
Presents very well just as it is

[acftmech]

The bracelet is pretty tired. I'm fairly sure it's not the correct year either. The movement needs service and I would like to get a better idea of what's inside. (There are some markings in there that might help determine its pedigree. ) The bezel comes off a bit too easy and there some nasty tool marks on the back.
I plan on sending it to ABC and developing a course of action from there.
As I said the forum has been educational. I was ready to just send it to Rolex and let them have at it.

[Rolexpharm]

I would just have the movement serviced and polished and buffed

[PoderEsBueno]

Great watch, it would be nice to see more photos of it on your wrist after the spa

[acftmech]

I don't know a lot about the watch except that my father wore it as long as my brother and I can remember. 

My dad was a Korean and Vietnam war veteran. He started as a Marine and passed away while still in service as a U.S. Navy Commander in 1980.
The watch was passed on to my older brother. He took the watch for repair in the early 80s. He said they may have replaced the crystal and relumed it but all he knows for sure is they scratched the case back and the watch only ran for about a month. He put the watch in a box where it has been until he recently handed it down to me.
When I started researching it it I quickly began to see its value and tried to return it to my brother. I dont think he realized what he had. Generous as usual, he said its mine now. He knows I'm a bit of a sentimental and prefered to see it in use and handed down to my son and grandson as they are the only remaining men with my fathers last name. Of course, if I were to sell it, he wouldn't mind half the money.
I wont ever sell it. I do think my father would want to see it used though. He wasn't a collector or prone to finery. It was a tool.
Hopefully it can be a reliable tool again and for years to come.

[acftmech]

Here is a pic from the 70s. It looks like the old man is doing some serious business.

[Vincent65]

Originally Posted by acftmech

Here is a pic from the 70s. It looks like the old man is doing some serious business.

great photos and watch - I'd just get the movement serviced and polish/replace the crystal

[acftmech]

Originally Posted by Vincent65

great photos and watch - I'd just get the movement serviced and polish/replace the crystal

That seems to be the direction ABC was thinking when I spoke to them. I guess they do some amazing stuff with crystals. I noticed the bezel comes off with out much resistance. I may have them see if they can tighten it up somehow. I'd hate to lose it.
The bracelet isnt in great shape. Its dented and it wont stay latched. (I can remember the watch flopping around on my fathers wrist and him absentmindedly closing it back up over and over when he was working with his hands. That's one of those old memories like the smell of your mother's perfume. I pick up the watch and its like it just happened yesterday.) As much as I enjoy the trip down memory lane, I also remember the mildly annoyed look he would have when he was relatching the band. Of course, if I can remember that, it means I was standing there and probably asking a million questions.....maybe that was the source of the annoyed look....hmm.
I digress. I sent it off yesterday. I will say this, if you do have a trustworthy watchmaker nearby, its something to consider. I spent $142 on shipping and insurance to get that thing to LA. And thats with a discount. Holy crap!

[Vincent65]

Originally Posted by acftmech

That seems to be the direction ABC was thinking when I spoke to them. I guess they do some amazing stuff with crystals. I noticed the bezel comes off with out much resistance. I may have them see if they can tighten it up somehow. I'd hate to lose it.
The bracelet isnt in great shape. Its dented and it wont stay latched. (I can remember the watch flopping around on my fathers wrist and him absentmindedly closing it back up over and over when he was working with his hands. That's one of those old memories like the smell of your mother's perfume. I pick up the watch and its like it just happened yesterday.) As much as I enjoy the trip down memory lane, I also remember the mildly annoyed look he would have when he was relatching the band. Of course, if I can remember that, it means I was standing there and probably asking a million questions.....maybe that was the source of the annoyed look....hmm.
I digress. I sent it off yesterday. I will say this, if you do have a trustworthy watchmaker nearby, its something to consider. I spent $142 on shipping and insurance to get that thing to LA. And thats with a discount. Holy crap!

ABC are excellent, by all accounts. Not sure about them for bracelets, but others will chime in. I have used Michael Young in HK for 2 of mine. He does a lot of good restoration on the bands, and they come back in much better shape, for a very reasonable price. Your dad would approve, I think...

Great that you have those memories and will keep them alive by wearing his cool old watch. Best wishes for the job and looking forward to seeing it done.

[joli160]

Beautiful watch Roger You must be one proud owner to have your father's heirloom.
Sent the bracelet to MY, only a service for the watch and cherish the minor imperfections on the case.

[Nobody.Move]

Originally Posted by acftmech

That seems to be the direction ABC was thinking when I spoke to them. I guess they do some amazing stuff with crystals. I noticed the bezel comes off with out much resistance. I may have them see if they can tighten it up somehow. I'd hate to lose it.
The bracelet isnt in great shape. Its dented and it wont stay latched. (I can remember the watch flopping around on my fathers wrist and him absentmindedly closing it back up over and over when he was working with his hands. That's one of those old memories like the smell of your mother's perfume. I pick up the watch and its like it just happened yesterday.) As much as I enjoy the trip down memory lane, I also remember the mildly annoyed look he would have when he was relatching the band. Of course, if I can remember that, it means I was standing there and probably asking a million questions.....maybe that was the source of the annoyed look....hmm.
I digress. I sent it off yesterday. I will say this, if you do have a trustworthy watchmaker nearby, its something to consider. I spent $142 on shipping and insurance to get that thing to LA. And thats with a discount. Holy crap!

Ouch, that's a hefty price for shipping! I always go USPS Registered Mail and with insurance from Los Angeles to Washington state and Ohio (where I tend to send my watches for servicing) the cost is about $25 to $45, one way. Hey, once you get your awesome Sub back from ABC it will be good to go for a very long time--you're doing the right thing.
Your Longines tank watch is great too. Perhaps you could swap out the metal band for a honey-colored, croc-leather band...that would look sharp!

[acftmech]

Originally Posted by Nobody.Move

Perhaps you could swap out the metal band for a honey-colored, croc-leather band...that would look sharp!

Sweet! Where would one procure such a thing?

[GeoGio Greece]

Originally Posted by acftmech

Here is a pic from the 70s. It looks like the old man is doing some serious business.

Wearing white gloves and carrying a sword. This must have been a ceremony.

[up2nogood]

Originally Posted by GeoGio Greece

Wearing white gloves and carrying a sword. This must have been a ceremony.

I'd take odds, with the three folded flags, that his crew had a very bad day.

Awesome watch and good to hear you aren't just going to flip it on the 'bay. Looking forward to the reveal!

[jatco]

Originally Posted by up2nogood

I'd take odds, with the three folded flags, that his crew had a very bad day.

.
Needless to say...!!

Originally Posted by up2nogood

Awesome watch and good to hear you aren't just going to flip it on the 'bay. Looking forward to the reveal!

IF, you even dare to flip-it, This community would on you like a fly on ....you know what.???
We know, that is not going to happen...
You have a 'Gem' there my friend. Be thankful..!!

[nsumner]

Don't let abc polish the case. The do fantastic case work but it's far from nesseciary on yours.

[dwheelie]

do not restore!