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

[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

[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

[The_Walrus]

Originally Posted by RC2

Nothing to restore. It's priceless

My thoughts precisely when I looked at these pics.

[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.

[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.

[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!

[teqp]

Awesome watch and a great story/pics of your father!

I'm sentimental like you and would never let that beauty out of my sight! as others mentioned keep it simple on this one. I'm sure your father will be looking down with a smile when that beauty is back up and running on your wrist.

[acftmech]

I used the term "restore" as this was my original intention. My new friends here in the forum have graciously steered me in a different direction. Lets say " put back in service".

[linesiders]

Originally Posted by 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!

I would find a better vintage Rolex tech than one that charges 150-200 . ABC is a good choice, be prepared to wait.

Originally Posted by 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.

Sounds like a job for Michael Young https://rolexforums.com/showthread.p...ighlight=young

He can restore the original bracelet as good as it will get for reasonable costs.

Originally Posted by 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.

Jeez - a Brat kid(s), son of a Marine Mustang Navy CMDR - things must have been interesting in that house
Bravo Zulu

Originally Posted by acftmech

I used the term "restore" as this was my original intention. My new friends here in the forum have graciously steered me in a different direction. Lets say " put back in service".

Good luck Roger.

[acftmech]

Originally Posted by linesiders

Jeez - a Brat kid(s), son of a Marine Mustang Navy CMDR - things must have been interesting in that house
Bravo Zulu
.

Ya You could say that.

[bubbaK]

Just service the movement and enjoy the watch. Don't let them touch anything else. Send the bracelet to Michael Young. Don't ever sell it.

[acftmech]

I emailed Mr Young a while back. No response yet.

[linesiders]

Originally Posted by acftmech

I emailed Mr Young a while back. No response yet.

That is not unusual

[enhamhale]

Fantastic gilt leave well alone just get a service and enjoy

[Lgear080]

What beaut! Great personality and family too. Wear it proudly!