Very Close To My First Vintage Rolex (5513)

[oo7ml]

Hi,

I have been searching for a 1983 Submariner 5513 for quite some time.

I am currently back and forward with a reputable seller on Chrono24.

I am quite new to the vintage watch world, so I would greatly appreciate if someone could help with the following:

01 - Case Back: while the watch is a 5513, the case back has 5512 stamped on it. Is this anything to worry about?

02 - Polished: the watch has had a small polish. I know this is somewhat frowned upon in the vintage and watch world itself. Any reasons to over worry about this?

03 - Serial: is there any reason that the Seller would hold back the full serial number pre purchase? I haven't asked the Seller specifically for it, but it has been crossed out in all of the photos.

04 - Payment: we have agreed a deal outside of Chrono24 as the Seller is passing the savings onto myself. Can anyone recommend a payment method that protects both the Seller and the Buyer (apart from PayPal and their high fees)?

Any other advice would be greatly appreciated, thank you.

[swish77]

Please post some photos of the watch, but ...

_A 5512 case back on a 5513 (or vice-versa) is OK.

_Unpolished is best, of course, but polished is OK as long as it's well done.

_Get the first several digits of the serial number. Without that, absolute deal-breaker.

_Chrono24 would make me nervous anyway, but at least there are some protections buying through the site. Regardless, it's risky to buy unless the seller is well known and with impeccable references.

[oo7ml]

Ok great, thanks for your help.

Also, one question I forgot to ask. What is the best way to check the year of the watch as the watch does not come with box or papers. I've checked the serial number database on a few sites. Some say it is a 1983, and others say it is a 1984.

[herts9]

Originally Posted by oo7ml

Ok great, thanks for your help.

Also, one question I forgot to ask. What is the best way to check the year of the watch as the watch does not come with box or papers. I've checked the serial number database on a few sites. Some say it is a 1983, and others say it is a 1984.

You'll only ever get an approximation, without having original papers.

Besides, it's oftentimes semantics. Say they start building the case on Dec 15, and finish the last screw on Jan 2. What constitutes one year from the other?

[oo7ml]

Thanks, it's much appreciated.

Photos below:

[Dan S]

- As noted above, case-back is ok.
- I think you need to decide for yourself about the polishing. What bothers an experienced collector might not bother you.
- The seller should be willing to share the full serial with a serious buyer.
- Most payment methods protect either the seller or the buyer, not both equally. If you don't trust the seller, don't buy.
- There is no way to know the year with certainty, but we certainly can't help you if you don't give any info.

[swish77]

Looks pretty good, and the case actually appears quite fat. Crown guards look full, even from the opposite-side photo, which is a good sign.

One thing that would bother me is that the tritium on the hour hand appears to be missing in a small spot, and presumably it could get worse. For me, I hate messing with issues like that, so I'd pass. Others have more patience.

Good luck either way.

[oo7ml]

Thanks all, much appreciated.

I now have the full serial, but considering I don't yet own the watch I'll hold off on sharing it out of respect for the Seller.

It starts with 81#### and 3 out of 4 of the serial references I have checked would list this as a 1983 watch.

[Woody]

That looks like corrosion on the case back. That would end my interest.

[Filipão]

Originally Posted by Woody

That looks like corrosion on the case back. That would end my interest.

Worries me more the hands T falling.

I would not be bothered, one will never ever see it and as long as it's pressure tested ok, not a problem.

Obviously buyer may ask for a price reduction accordingly.

[zapokee]

Originally Posted by Woody

That looks like corrosion on the case back. That would end my interest.

Yes, that looks like some significant corrosion. OK as long as it's priced accordingly. It might not pass a pressure test.

[oo7ml]

Thanks for all of the feedback and advice, it is really helpful.

The watch is priced at €12k (no papers or box, etc).

I've been looking at the 5513 market for some time, and that seems reasonably priced. Yes, you can get an equivalent 16800 (Sub Date) for this price, but the 5513 seems to be €2k-€3k more?

As I said, I'm relatively new to the Vintage Watch market, but I've been searching daily for 1983 (DOB) 5513 year now. One thing that has stuck out for some time, is that it is very hard to get a perfect '40 year old' watch... and life is too short to wait for the 'perfect' watch?

[Dan S]

I think that everyone has access to different channels for buying watches, so what might seem like a high price for one person could be the best that a second person can find. Also, generally speaking, a fixation on a watch from a particular year will limit your options, resulting in a higher price for a lower quality watch.

If you have been looking for a year, and you think that's a good price, then I think you have your answer. You don't need our opinions about price.

[zapokee]

Originally Posted by oo7ml

One thing that has stuck out for some time, is that it is very hard to get a perfect '40 year old' watch... and life is too short to wait for the 'perfect' watch?

This is very true.

But on the other hand, don't fall into the trap of rushing in and buying something you're not 100% happy with, and then feeling a pang of regret every time you look at your wrist. Many of us have made that mistake, and it totally ruins your enjoyment of the watch.

It's a fine balancing act... Like Dan says, don't think so much about the price. Think about whether it's a watch you could bond with and love. If you have any shadow of a doubt, don't do it.

This is my soulmate, after a long process of trial and error involving Subs, GMTs, various Tudors and many others.

[ptaha1967]

If he agreed to deal outside of Chrono he is not a reputable seller, I’m sorry. Chronic polices this activity vigorously. So by passing on the savings I’m sure the seller has something to gain. Now what is it I don’t know but there is something.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[oo7ml]

Originally Posted by zapokee

This is very true.

But on the other hand, don't fall into the trap of rushing in and buying something you're not 100% happy with, and then feeling a pang of regret every time you look at your wrist. Many of us have made that mistake, and it totally ruins your enjoyment of the watch.

It's a fine balancing act... Like Dan says, don't think so much about the price. Think about whether it's a watch you could bond with and love. If you have any shadow of a doubt, don't do it.

This is my soulmate, after a long process of trial and error involving Subs, GMTs, various Tudors and many others.

Beautiful, it looks great.

I do love everything about the watch I have displayed, and as I said, I have been checking Chrono24 and 2 other sources on a daily basis for over a year.

[narembeen]

In the age of laser welding corosion on the case back shouldnt be a show stopper anymore, right?

[Dan S]

Originally Posted by narembeen

In the age of laser welding corosion on the case back shouldnt be a show stopper anymore, right?

Unfortunately that's not generally the case. Repairing porous and pitted areas in a way that restores integrity is hit or miss.

[oo7ml]

I don't plan on wearing the watch as a daily, and won't be treating it as a waterproof watch, even thought that is what it was originally design for, so i'm less concerned about the back case.

A random side note question - what causes a watch to obtain the tropical colouring? Is it exposure to a lot of sun light or is there some other factor?