Help buying first 5513

[TG19]

Hello,
I’m new to the vintage Rolex world and want to buy my first 5513! I’m considering the three below numbered 1-3. #1 comes with a one year warranty. #2 comes with original box, papers, and a 2 year warranty (and is also the highest priced). I’m willing to spend for the top overall condition/quality.

#1 - priced $8500
#2 - priced $14,000
#3 - priced $10,000

Any opinion on condition and overall choice would be much appreciated! I’ll take anyone’s expertise! Thank you in advance.

TG

PS if you don’t like any of the 3 please tell me to wait! HA

[Dan S]

Please include photos from various angles and asking prices.

[TG19]

Originally Posted by Dan S

Please include photos from various angles and asking prices.

I’ll add some other angles now. Updated the pricing.

[TG19]

More photos of option #1.

[Dan S]

Photos from the side will be needed to judge the case, but even at first glance I don't think I could tolerate the hands on #2.

[TG19]

Different angles of #2.

[TG19]

Attached different angles of option #3.

[linesiders]

Are you specifically looking for one with White Gold Surrounds? A specific year?

2 has the best case but the hands mismatch is too much

[TG19]

Originally Posted by linesiders

Are you specifically looking for one with White Gold Surrounds? A specific year?

2 has the best case but the hands mismatch is too much

Preferably looking for 1985 birth year. May need to stay patient and keep waiting! Willing to wait it out for a great conditioned 1985.

[Dan S]

Originally Posted by TG19

Preferably looking for 1985 birth year. May need to stay patient and keep waiting! Willing to wait it out for a great conditioned 1985.

Unfortunately, there's no way to know the exact year of production, as you probably know,

[TG19]

Originally Posted by Dan S

Unfortunately, there's no way to know the exact year of production, as you probably know,

Yeah I’m fine with just getting close and focusing more on quality/condition.

[linesiders]

Originally Posted by TG19

Yeah I’m fine with just getting close and focusing more on quality/condition.

[swish77]

Based on the limited photos, I vote No. 3. Nicest matching patina, and nicest case. Just look at the crown guards. Only minor knock is the non-matching bezel pip. That could be remedied later. This all assumes the rest of the watch checks out and the dial/hands tritium is original.

[carwashchris]

For me #2 is out, too $$$ , I like # 3 the best. Mine is a 8,75x , and i love wearing it, great choice.

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[llm3000]

The #3 patina and matching hands is appealing, and the photo capturing the dome. But the lugs seems narrow compare to #1 (or maybe it just the angle). Agree #2 is too much $, so i will await...

[TG19]

Thank you all for providing such great opinions!

[GGGMT]

Originally Posted by Dan S

Photos from the side will be needed to judge the case, but even at first glance I don't think I could tolerate the hands on #2.

This . Who wants to look at that repeatedly. Those hands in my view


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[GGGMT]

#3 best. I’d do no WGS if you can afford it and semi close to birth


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[TuRo]

Originally Posted by TG19

Hello,
I’m new to the vintage Rolex world and want to buy my first 5513! I’m considering the three below numbered 1-3. #1 comes with a one year warranty. #2 comes with original box, papers, and a 2 year warranty (and is also the highest priced). I’m willing to spend for the top overall condition/quality.

#1 - priced $8500
#2 - priced $14,000
#3 - priced $10,000

Any opinion on condition and overall choice would be much appreciated! I’ll take anyone’s expertise! Thank you in advance.

TG

PS if you don’t like any of the 3 please tell me to wait! HA

My 10 cents

#3 looks good and has orig plexi and crown I think but $9k-ish (£7.5k) I'd see it at, as a loose goose (and beze insert/pip service negotiation lever) but I'm a parsimonious buyer.....

#1 next bet and cheaper/cheapest especially if you can get more off say @$7.5-8k (£6k), and want to definitely not be caught 'upside down' in it next few years as mkt possible drops further coming months and then plateaux's for 2-3 yrs....

#2 they are oblivious to their powers of over-valueing the piece, Service luminova hands and pip missing and 14 thousand....so much so, that $14k is c what I paid for a nice late 70s matte, a short while back !!

[TG19]

Originally Posted by TuRo

My 10 cents

#3 looks good and has orig plexi and crown I think but $9k-ish (£7.5k) I'd see it at, as a loose goose (and beze insert/pip service negotiation lever) but I'm a parsimonious buyer.....

#1 next bet and cheaper/cheapest especially if you can get more off say @$7.5-8k (£6k), and want to definitely not be caught 'upside down' in it next few years as mkt possible drops further coming months and then plateaux's for 2-3 yrs....

#2 they are oblivious to their powers of over-valueing the piece, Service luminova hands and pip missing and 14 thousand....so much so, that $14k is c what I paid for a nice late 70s matte, a short while back !!

Thank you for this great info. I’ve decided to hold off on these 3 and look for something more premium as I’d like this vintage 5513 (or 5312) to be my everyday watch. I’m going to look for something from a reputable dealer in the $15K-$20K range. And I won’t be tied down to the 1980s. Will consider 1960s-1970s as well.

[Dan S]

Originally Posted by TG19

Thank you for this great info. I’ve decided to hold off on these 3 and look for something more premium as I’d like this vintage 5513 (or 5312) to be my everyday watch. I’m going to look for something from a reputable dealer in the $15K-$20K range. And I won’t be tied down to the 1980s. Will consider 1960s-1970s as well.

As you may know, there are three big classes of 5513s, which are dramatically different in appearance and price.

- Early and mid-1960s gilt-gloss dials. (not in your budget)
- Late 1960s through early 1980s matte dials.
- Mid 1980s white-gold-surround gloss dials. (the OP watches)

I'd suggest first deciding where you are going to land among these options, and then continue to study the details.

[TG19]

Originally Posted by Dan S

As you may know, there are three big classes of 5513s, which are dramatically different in appearance and price.

- Early and mid-1960s gilt-gloss dials. (not in your budget)
- Late 1960s through early 1980s matte dials.
- Mid 1980s white-gold-surround gloss dials. (the OP watches)

I'd suggest first deciding where you are going to land among these options, and then continue to study the details.

Yes I’ve been studying the differences. I’m also considering 5512. I can stretch my budget to $25K for the right piece and condition. So say $15K-$20K. I’ve been looking at some examples from Iconic watch company, wind vintage, tropical, 10 past 10, etc.

[Dan S]

Originally Posted by TG19

Yes I’ve been studying the differences. I’m also considering 5512. I can stretch my budget to $25K for the right piece and condition. So say $15K-$20K. I’ve been looking at some examples from Iconic watch company, wind vintage, tropical, 10 past 10, etc.

Haha, at those places, your money won't go very far. And don't trust the accuracy of a listing just because it comes from a prestige dealer. Do your homework.

[TG19]

Originally Posted by Dan S

Haha, at those places, your money won't go very far. And don't trust the accuracy of a listing just because it comes from a prestige dealer.

That’s why I’m on this forum so I don’t make those mistakes!