Questions about this 1966 5513

[MrMoFoMeLLy]

Hi Everyone!

I have zero experience with vintage watches, but am an avid collector with modern watches. Recently my AD reached out to me informing me of a lady who stopped by the store with her late husband's 1966 Rolex Submariner 5513. I reached out to her and gave her a call and we arranged a meeting. I did some research prior to meeting with her but I did end up buying it off of her today. Wondering what everyone's opinion is on this dial and the watch in generally. I figured at the very least, I will need to replace the crystal. The bracelet that her husband had on the watch is obviously not the original. The case seems like it's in pretty good condition and very sharp. The bezel no longer turns and pearl is missing. My main concern is the dial. Is it desirable? Is this wear normal? She said her husband sailed boats and was out in the sun a lot and she does not think it's water damage. Any insight you can provide me will be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

[swaini3]

The dial is too damaged IMO. I like the case and insert though. Did you open the back and see the movement condition? It does like mould, I hope the movement is fine.

[MrMoFoMeLLy]

Originally Posted by swaini3

The dial is too damaged IMO. I like the case and insert though. Did you open the back and see the movement condition? It does like mould, I hope the movement is fine.

Hey! Thank you for replying. I did not open the watch up, but will be taking it to my watchmaker today. It still run though!

[MrMoFoMeLLy]

Hey! Watchmaker says the movement looks good. He thinks it's been about 10 years since it's last been opened up. Here's a shot of the movement.

[stewester]

I want to like the dial but think it's probably too far gone for most. Looks like a Bart Simpson dial from the coronet which are notorious for their degradation. Case looks unpolished and lovely.

[MrMoFoMeLLy]

Originally Posted by stewester

I want to like the dial but think it's probably too far gone for most. Looks like a Bart Simpson dial from the coronet which are notorious for their degradation. Case looks unpolished and lovely.

Whoops! I was trying to reply to you but I think I did it wrong.

Hey! Watchmaker says the movement looks good. He thinks it's been about 10 years since it's last been opened up. Here's a shot of the movement.

[stewester]

Originally Posted by MrMoFoMeLLy

Whoops! I was trying to reply to you but I think I did it wrong.

Hey! Watchmaker says the movement looks good. He thinks it's been about 10 years since it's last been opened up. Here's a shot of the movement.

Great news. Everything looking good so far. Definitely post some pics once you have it back. If you could get your watchmaker to take a good quality pic of the dial outside the case then all the better. For $4,000 it's an incredible deal.

[zapokee]

Originally Posted by MrMoFoMeLLy

...she does not think it's water damage.

I think most of us here would disagree, so unless the widow is an expert on vintage 5313s...

Nice, though. If you got it for a decent price, there's plenty of good stuff going on here. Great case. We are of course too discreet here to ask how much you paid for it. (Unless you're gonna do it. #nelly )

Bracelet looks to be a modern D-link Jubilee with the wrong springbars - I wonder what the story behind that is. Will need some attention.

[MrMoFoMeLLy]

Originally Posted by zapokee

I think most of us here would disagree, so unless the widow is an expert on vintage 5313s...

Nice, though. If you got it for a decent price, there's plenty of good stuff going on here. Great case. We are of course too discreet here to ask how much you paid for it. (Unless you're gonna do it. #nelly )

Bracelet looks to be a modern D-link Jubilee with the wrong springbars - I wonder what the story behind that is. Will need some attention.

Hey! I don't mind sharing what I paid for it. She asked for $4k which I figured leaves me plenty of room for servicing and parts.

The Jubilee is not even a Rolex Jub. It looks like it's made by the fine people of Speidel.

[Dan S]

Originally Posted by MrMoFoMeLLy

Hey! I don't mind sharing what I paid for it. She asked for $4k which I figured leaves me plenty of room for servicing and parts.

I think that every one of us would have grabbed it in a nanosecond for that price. It's a fun piece as it sits, and obviously you can be on the lookout for a replacement dial if one ever turns up.

[zapokee]

Originally Posted by MrMoFoMeLLy

She asked for $4k

Oh my gosh. It's worth multiple times that amount even with the dial damage. She should have Googled "Gilt 5513 price" first.

I guess you didn't know what it was really worth, either. Your gamble certainly paid off. Donation to charity for karma?

[JustinK]

To me the dial is water damaged.

First thing I would do is look at the movement to see if its damaged. Does it run?

If the movement is okay I think you have two options, service it and wear it as is or find a service dial and hands and swap them out.

I have a 66 5513 that I wear daily with a luminova dial, hands and pearl and love it.

If your handy pop off the bezel with a knife or razor blade and clean up the crud around the crystal, that's probably why the bezel won't turn.

[MrMoFoMeLLy]

Originally Posted by JustinK

To me the dial is water damaged.

First thing I would do is look at the movement to see if its damaged. Does it run?

If the movement is okay I think you have two options, service it and wear it as is or find a service dial and hands and swap them out.

I have a 66 5513 that I wear daily with a luminova dial, hands and pearl and love it.

If your handy pop off the bezel with a knife or razor blade and clean up the crud around the crystal, that's probably why the bezel won't turn.

Hey! Thanks for replying!

The watch still runs. I will definitely be taking it to my watchmaker to have him look at it. I figured at the very least I replace the crystal. What do you think a service dial and new hands would run me? Thanks!

[JustinK]

Originally Posted by MrMoFoMeLLy

Hey! Thanks for replying!

The watch still runs. I will definitely be taking it to my watchmaker to have him look at it. I figured at the very least I replace the crystal. What do you think a service dial and new hands would run me? Thanks!

I paid 1K for dial and hands last year.

Sounds like you scored, I would probably just buy a couple NATO bands and wear it as is. Congrats!

[Dan S]

The dial is not "desirable", but if it gives you joy, that's the only thing that matters.

[1675-David]

Originally Posted by Dan S

The dial is not "desirable", but if it gives you joy, that's the only thing that matters.

What do you mean not desirable, isn’t that the highly sought after ‘melted neon cheddar’ dial

[Dan S]

Originally Posted by 1675-David

What do you mean not desirable, isn’t that the highly sought after ‘melted neon cheddar’ dial

Now that you mentioned it ... it does look like a melted neon cheddar. I stand corrected.

[harry in montreal]

That’s a great watch! I agree with the others that it has a lot going for it but the dial got damaged. It’s still fun just the way it is. The dials carry a large proportion of the value of a 5513 like this.
My only warning to you is the springbar. Get them out of there as they are too small. The watch needs a 2.0mm diameter bar. When you put a smaller bar in the hole it wiggles and over time it enlarges the hole and damages the case. I had a sub that had this damage And it’s unfortunate.

[roh123]

I think it looks cool. Would love to see it with the crystal polished or replaced and in daylight. I doubt it is water damaged with the lume looking as it does. It is odd for sure but cool odd to me.

The watch is valuable. Not for everyone but I think that will clean up nicely and wow some people. I hope you buy it.

[MrMoFoMeLLy]

Originally Posted by roh123

I think it looks cool. Would love to see it with the crystal polished or replaced and in daylight. I doubt it is water damaged with the lume looking as it does. It is odd for sure but cool odd to me.

The watch is valuable. Not for everyone but I think that will clean up nicely and wow some people. I hope you buy it.

Thanks! Yeah, I have no experience at all with vintage watches, but I felt this could be a fun watch to start with. I did end up getting it, so I'll share after it gets some love. Thanks!

[Andjwhite]

Can’t wait to see more. Very cool.

[linesiders]

Definitely Legit - looks like a Bart. I kinda like it but I am the Island of Misfit Toys.

A little dial cleaning and an airbrush coat of lacquer and you will have a HeliumFusionSolar dial

[berchris]

I’d keep the dial as is, personally. I think it’s unique and gives extra character to rhe watch.

[athom]

Despite that the dial is completly damaged, Iive to say that I like the watch, case is in a very good condition, beautiful "long 5" insert, I'd just have first the watch serviced, the dome polished or replaced, I'd get a nice old tritium pearl and maybe an oyster bracelet (better an old one from the 60's but why not also a new one). Then I'd maybe in a second time search for a gilt bart dial but it can be tough and expensive...

[MrChamfers]

it's an interesting look for sure. Somehow a totally shabby dial can be more attractive than a dial with just part of a letter missing.

[Filipão]

You got a good deal with leeway to leave it as is or try your luck on another dial. Congrats, that case is awesome, sailor with such a case?

[.paul]

Classic banana slug dial. I like it.

[baumare]

That sounds like a good tip from your AD! Congrats, interesting piece

[roh123]

Please take some pics of the dial in daylight if possible.

Is the lacquer on top of the dial intact or is it very spotty and having structure? When new this surface is glossy and perfect like a mirror. Most likely yours have aged but sometimes these color changes can happen completely underneath the lacquer.

[MrMoFoMeLLy]

Originally Posted by roh123

Please take some pics of the dial in daylight if possible.

Is the lacquer on top of the dial intact or is it very spotty and having structure? When new this surface is glossy and perfect like a mirror. Most likely yours have aged but sometimes these color changes can happen completely underneath the lacquer.

I just dropped it off at the watchmaker so I won't have it back for a few weeks. Will definitely share some photos when its out of the shop.