Vintage Rolex Submariner 5513

The watch has been checked for proper functionality
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Description: Vintage Rolex Submariner 5513

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Condition Report

This Submariner is in great vintage condition with wear consistent with age. The case is in great, honest condition with some wear and nicks. The bevels on the lugs are still clearly visible. The watch has retained its correct "twin lock" crown (without 3 dots). The "long 5" bezel insert is in great condition with some normal wear. It has faded throughout to a lovely grey color. The pip has aged and matches the lume on the dial nicely. The dial is overall great condition with some patina around the edge. The lume plots on the dial have developed patina and have aged to a pleasing pale yellow color; the plots are full. The hands have developed patina and the lume has aged to a similar color. The USA C&I bracelet is in great condition with normal signs of wear and a bit of stretch between the links which is not uncommon.

Dial

Black dial with Tritium hour markers and hands.

Case

Stainless steel case; the back of clasp is stamped "5513" and "VI.66". Serial and reference numbers are visible.

Bracelet

Stainless steel Oyster Rivet bracelet with 10 links; back of the clasp is stamped "C&I" and "7-72" indicating it is from 1972. 

Box and Papers

Bob's presentation box

Catalog Essay:

Pre-owned Rolex Submariner 5513 (1967) introduced around 1962 and it was in production until 1989. It was one of the longest continually produced references from the brand. Rolex initially used glossy dials in this model and swapped to matte around 1966, like this example. When Rolex went to the matte dial they also put the depth rating as "200m = 660ft" and these are known as "meters first" in the collecting community. Eventually Rolex would swap the depth rating to feet first around the early 1970s and have continued this trend to the modern offerings. One theory on this change is that Rolex wanted to boost sales in the United States, but to our knowledge Rolex has not made any definitive statements on this shift.

This example is in overall great, honest condition and has aged beautifully over the years. It's coming directly from the original owner who enjoyed it for decades. From the pale yellow lume to the perfectly faded "long 5" bezel, this Sub checks all the boxes. When looking at the movement closely we can see an "ROW" stamp which was the US import code for Rolex meaning this watch was destined for the US market. The watch now has a slightly later C&I Rolex USA bracelet, but the original would have most likely been the same, just with an earlier date code. The USA bracelets make sense on these Subs with US import marks, its fun when these little details line up.

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