Need some advice on a 5513 sub

[dadeln]

Hi all!

I have decided to get a 5513 as my next Rolex. I have been looking into one that is from 1986 (my birth year.. not that I’m looking for that specifically, it just happened to be this way with this watch which is a nice bonus:)

Since there are a couple of different variations on the 5513 (different dials, maxi) I’m not really sure if this watch is period correct. Also, I norrd that is says 5512 on the inside of the caseback.. is this common?

Hands and markers don’t really match.. but at least the hands have got some patina too.

The dealer has no service history of the watch so all I have as for now are there pictures to make up my mind.

I would appreciate any input from you as to wether this watch seems ok or not.

Best,
Daniel










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[mag]

Hi Daniel,

my caseback (5513 around 1984) says also 5512. I think it is common, that 5512 casebacks are fitted to the 5513 non-chronometer watches.

Greeting from germany
MaG

[harry in montreal]

Do the surrounds on the markers mean service dial? I think maybe not because it’s from the 80s

[214270Explorer]

Hands have been replaced due to loss of glow. Tritium has a half-life of just over 11 years, so the lume has long since quit working.

[dadeln]

Thanks a lot guys! Does the movement look ok?


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[swish77]

Nice-looking Sub with a fat case. Common for 5512/13 case backs to be used on either reference. (My 5512 has a 5513 case back.) The case back also appears to have the remnant of the green sticker on it, which could indicate a relatively gentle life for this watch, unless it was added later. Still, it could be a good sign.

I suspect the hands have been replaced, but maybe not, and I'd want to see a UV photo. Yes, the patina is different, but the dial/hands can age differently. Whether or not the difference in patina could be this much is debatable. I'd also want to see it in natural light, not these white-box photos. If you look at the 2, 3 and 4 o'clock markers in the second photo, you'll notice they appear white, but in the other photos they've got quite a bit of patina. It's possible the bad lighting in general is exaggerating the patina difference between the dial and hands.

[dbhak22]

Originally Posted by harry in montreal

Do the surrounds on the markers mean service dial? I think maybe not because it’s from the 80s

Nope. OP stated it is an '86 (his birth year) so the white gold surrounds would be correct/expected.

[baumare]

Nice 5513, looks very sharp, hopefully the green sticker is the original one.
If the lighting in the photos is not to deceiving looks like it has a very nice patina on the markers.

I can add that the plain flip-lock looks period correct and the clasp have the indentation.

[dadeln]

Amazing guys, thanks a lot for your input. I will ask the dealer if he would be willing to send some more photos with different ligthing as to make it easier to get a more adequate opinion about the patina on the hands.


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[dadeln]

Where is the serial number written on these watches?


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[swish77]

Originally Posted by dadeln

Where is the serial number written on these watches?


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Between the 6 o’clock lugs.

[dadeln]

Originally Posted by swish77

Between the 6 o’clock lugs.

Ah ok thank you!


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[Filipão]

Neat! I love it.

Ask for UV shot.

[Woody]

That looks like a really nice example to me. Fat case and nice patina on the dial. Hopefully the price is (relatively) reasonable. If you decide not to go for it then please let me know as this would be a nice addition to my collection.

[strafer_kid]

My own from 89! Went through RSC London a few years back.

[dadeln]

Originally Posted by strafer_kid

My own from 89! Went through RSC London a few years back.

Looks amazing!!


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[stewester]

Looks good to me, hope it's available for a fair price. I'm from '86 too!

[andrewjb88]

I'll be looking for a '88 for my 40th, is that a 5513 as well?

[Woody]

Originally Posted by andrewjb88

I'll be looking for a '88 for my 40th, is that a 5513 as well?

Rolex were still manufacturing the Ref: 5513 in 1988.

[1601Grant]

I'm not experienced enough to say much about the watch, but damn it looks great!