Buy a 5513 or a Snowflake?

[JCN83]

Looking to purchase my first vintage Rolex and I'm torn between the 5513 (I was born in 83 so, sentimentally, I'd be looking for something from that year) and a Snowflake.

Thoughts / opinions / wisdom?!

[Dan Pierce]

Hard to beat a blue snowflake. It's familiar and unique all at once. Plus, probably made in smaller numbers.
dP

[CrownMe]

Both are great choices. Personally id go with something older then a 83. just my 2 cents.

[foxp3]

I agree with the snowflake, much less common as noted above. Maybe a blue one?

[JCN83]

It's not blue...Thoughts on this Snowflake?

I've gone back and forth about this one with Jacek a few times (never worked with HQ Milton before)...Anyone have experience?

http://www.hqmilton.com/watches/1976...box_and_papers

[Presa canary]

5513 all day, everyday...

[elcompa]

I think a birth year sub...5513 would be awesome. That said, the snowflake is nice too, but the 5513 would certainly win out for me.

[RC2]

5513

[southtexas]

Originally Posted by Presa canary

5513 all day, everyday...

that.

[CrownMe]

if your looking at black snowflakes then i would just go with the 5513. If its between a Blue snowflake and a 5513 then id go Snowflake because its more rare and harder to find in great condition. mine says hello

i just personally dont like Vintage watches with WG Surrounds which i believe a 1983 5513 would have.

[John in MA]

I agree. Order of preference:

[CrownMe]

Originally Posted by John in MA

I agree. Order of preference:

Beautiful flake John

[roh123]

Only own one watch? 5513

Have other sport rolexes? Snowflake

-83 is cool as you can still get a matte 5513. That would be my pick.

[Vincent65]

Do you want to own a vintage Rolex… or a Tudor? You may end up with both anyway!
If it's only one, I'd say Rolex.

Both are classics, but there's really no competition between the two. A Rolex sub is truly iconic. The Tudor is a very cool and slightly quirky alternative. The dial/hands design is very appealing, and of course they share a hefty dollop of DNA.

I'd love to have a Snowflake, and may well get one, but not in favour of a Rolex sub, only in addition to one.

Also, the Tudor you're looking at has a date function, but the 5513 does not. Why not get a 1680?

[Robbyvm]

To start vintage... 5513
I see tht you looked @ a 76 snowflake so the year seems less important?
If so go for a nice non gold surround matte 5513 , you won't regret it !
Make your second purchase a blue snowflake

[bayerische]

I would go 5513.

[CrownMe]

[QUOTE=John in MA;4679915]I agree. Order of preference:





[/QUOTE



The first watch in the picture is IMHO the coolest looking one. I love the 5513 but unless its a gilt they all look so similar. Choose what you like the most.....not because of the name. There both Rolex anyway







sorry guys double post smh

[JCN83]

Originally Posted by roh123

Only own one watch? 5513

Have other sport rolexes? Snowflake

-83 is cool as you can still get a matte 5513. That would be my pick.

I have a Daytona and a Navitimer but I'm really looking for a "daily" sport watch. The polished bracelet on the Daytona is killing me and my OCD!

BTW, rookie question here. What is a "WG surround"? White gold?

[roh123]

Yes. The indexes are less cool.

You want a matte dial without these. Like the one John showed above.

[JCN83]

Originally Posted by roh123

Yes. The indexes are less cool.

You want a matte dial without these. Like the one John showed above.

Great - so I should look for a matte dial on either the 5513 or the Snowflake?

[datejust24]

5513 hands down...

[CrownMe]

Originally Posted by JCN83

Great - so I should look for a matte dial on either the 5513 or the Snowflake?

all snowflake dials are matte i believe. Id def look for a matte dial 5513 that doesnt have the white gold surrounds on the hour markers. Unless you like that look more.

[roh123]

Originally Posted by JCN83

Great - so I should look for a matte dial on either the 5513 or the Snowflake?

All Snowflakes are matte and without wg surrounds until the current Black bay. Snowflakes got replaced in the late 70's and got a different dial which looks a bit more like the rolex.

Get the one that appeals more to you. I'd start with the 5513 personally.

[woodsworth]

To echo, a blue snowflake or a 5513 are two great choices. I don't think you can go wrong either way.

I would go for the one in better condition :)

[springer]

Originally Posted by Presa canary

5513 all day, everyday...

X2. 100% - go with the Submariner 5513 if you are in doubt.

[a4id]

Get a Rolex first, then a Tudor. That's what I'll do.

Cheers.

[dwheelie]

i think older tudor submariners will grow in value faster

[V.lats97nsx]

If you haven't seen a blue snowflake in person. You wont understand the character this beauty has. My friend has a 5513 and when he seen my recently acquired watch he wanted to trade with a good chunk of change on top. But he knows I wont. Unless I go broke.

Sent from my SM-N900V using Tapatalk

[omitohud]

rolex

[John in MA]

Originally Posted by dwheelie

i think older tudor submariners will grow in value faster

Agree.

Snowflakes just 2 years ago were going for under 3k and now are consistently going for 4-4.5k.

2 years ago I could get a 5513 like what I currently have for 4k and you can find them for around high 4's-low 5's. I see the disparity continuing with the later 5513's. Gilt dials though are a different animal IMO.

Tudor subs did come with white gold surrounds though it wasn't the snowflake.
Last run of the 79190's were done like this and I believe modern service dials for the 79090 and 79190 come with them.

Later service snowflake dials are glossy if blue but a semi-matte if black.