Need help with identifying Sub

[jw0n]

Hi all, a friend recently shared a pic of his dad's watch and needed some help with identifying if this was a) legitimate and b) year of make. Really, this is from a friend and not a "friend" :-)

As stories go, it was found by a garbage dump in Vienna back in 1984/85. I know this is a long shot but any help with identification would be greatly appreciated. Mods, please feel free to move this to the appropriate forum if necessary.

Thank you in advance TRF

[nursejm]

Not an expert,

my guess it is a Rolex 5513

Size: 40mm x 20mm
Movement: 1520, 1530
Year: 1962 - 1990
Depth Rating: 200M
Used Price: $7,675 – $12,609

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5bKYXQYFjOE.

[REFZ]

Take of the bracelet and look between the lugs for the model and serial number.
Post those numbers here on the forum.

[jw0n]

Originally Posted by REFZ

Take of the bracelet and look between the lugs for the model and serial number.
Post those numbers here on the forum.

I asked him to do exactly that, to be honest. However, his dad insists he'd rather not know so my mate has not passed this on to me to inspect further. Considering its age (early 80s), what reference would the equivalent Sub be?

[Old Expat Beast]

5513.

[jw0n]

Originally Posted by nursejm

Not an expert,
my guess it is a Rolex 5513

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

5513.

Thanks guys, looks like one of the later 5513 with white gold surrounds; puts the watch between 1984 to 1989, right? I know its hard to believe, but he picked it off the ground sometime in 1984/85 -- he cannot really remember. The lighting is bad; I wonder how much patina has developed as well. It has been serviced a couple of times since, and he still wears it daily and I really do wish I could have the caseback opened for some pics.

[saskmh]

Either someone lost a fairly new sub in the mid eighties or that's just the "story"

Curious piece though.

[fusionstorm]

Where did he have it serviced? All the proper info should be on an invoice or receipt.

[springer]

Dial is not 1984 but later. I believe 1989 was the last year for this model - R serial numbers. Watch and bracelet appear to be a genuine 5513/93150 combination.

[Old Expat Beast]

My 5513 is L3 serial, just for the record.

[springer]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

My 5513 is L3 serial, just for the record.

Good to know. So L is it then.

[averywood4]

Need to look at the serial number. Could have been a much older 5513 and just had the dial swapped during one of the services.

Originally Posted by jw0n

Thanks guys, looks like one of the later 5513 with white gold surrounds; puts the watch between 1984 to 1989, right? I know its hard to believe, but he picked it off the ground sometime in 1984/85 -- he cannot really remember. The lighting is bad; I wonder how much patina has developed as well. It has been serviced a couple of times since, and he still wears it daily and I really do wish I could have the caseback opened for some pics.

[jw0n]

Thanks again, gents. Helps to know that the watch and bracelet are at least matching and correct. Unfortunately, I do not know where he serviced the watch over the last 3 decades, but I was told that it was highly unlikely at RSC.

Originally Posted by averywood4

Need to look at the serial number. Could have been a much older 5513 and just had the dial swapped during one of the services.

Wouldn't a service dial just have "Swiss" at 6 o'clock instead of "Swiss T<25"?

With regards to removing the bracelet... we will see. Maybe my friend can pique his father's curiosity. I'll definitely share in here if this happens. Cheers gents, this was a lot of help indeed.

[Old Expat Beast]

Originally Posted by jw0n

Thanks again, gents. Helps to know that the watch and bracelet are at least matching and correct. Unfortunately, I do not know where he serviced the watch over the last 3 decades, but I was told that it was highly unlikely at RSC.



Wouldn't a service dial just have "Swiss" at 6 o'clock instead of "Swiss T<25"?

With regards to removing the bracelet... we will see. Maybe my friend can pique his father's curiosity. I'll definitely share in here if this happens. Cheers gents, this was a lot of help indeed.

Not if it was replaced before 1998-ish.

[southtexas]

Originally Posted by averywood4

Need to look at the serial number. Could have been a much older 5513 and just had the dial swapped during one of the services.

I agree, considering the insert looks to predate the dial.


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[BG111]

Originally Posted by springer

Dial is not 1984 but later. I believe 1989 was the last year for this model - R serial numbers. Watch and bracelet appear to be a genuine 5513/93150 combination.

I believe they went through the early E series. See below photo for reference (courtesy of VRF Mods)

[jw0n]

Ok, I asked for more pics of the watch in daylight and have just received a few more from my friend. Also, confirmed that the watch was serviced at RSC and had a dial replacement. Good news - friend's dad agreed to let me get my hands on it; will bring it to a watchmaker to pop the caseback and remove bracelet for some pics. Will share this in here when this is done. I'm excited!

[MotoJoe]

Bumping this as I was jus gifted a sub that appears identical to yours and I'm trying to find out more about it.

[offrdmania]

Originally Posted by MotoJoe

Bumping this as I was jus gifted a sub that appears identical to yours and I'm trying to find out more about it.

Start a new thread and post pics for best results