Vintage Submariner Opinions Wanted

[KeenanK]

Hi all,

Have the opportunity to acquire the submariner in the photos.

It was a family heirloom of the seller.

The watch looks ok to my untrained, unknowledgeable eye but the plots all look the same light color and I believe the bracelet is a generation later than the head but I'm definitely not an expert.

If it is the groups opinion that the watch is real, being that I'm looking to acquire the piece, what kind of ballpark value do you think it might have?

I apologize if that is against the rules to ask. I'm just looking for generalities.

I would have the seller meet me at a local jeweler to ultimately verify but wanted the groups thoughts first and foremost due to the amount of experts who hang out here.

Thank you all, as always.

Keenan

[Dan S]

It's best to move the hands so that they're not obscuring the text when taking photos. We need to see the fine details of the printing to identify and verify the watch.

At first glance, it appears to be a legit 5513, probably a Maxi IV dial from the early 80s, with a replacement bezel insert. The absence of the original insert is the main thing hurting the value, it will cost you roughly $2k USD to replace it with a decent period-correct insert. The bracelet is plausibly original. You should remove the bracelet and take good photos from between the lugs. It's important to check that the serial number is in the right range for the dial variant.

Value is highly dependent on condition, we would need good photos of the whole dial and of the case from various angles, in lighting that allows us to evaluate the condition of the case. Just based on very cursory photos, the case appears to be about average, quite worn and polished in the past, but the lugs/crown-guards are still thick.

What is the asking price? I'm thinking that it would need to be below $8k to be attractive.

[KeenanK]

Dan,

Thank you so much for your response and the information. It is greatly appreciated.

I understand regarding the images, I most definitely do, but these are the only photos I have at this time.

The asking price is $6,200.

Thanks,

Keenan

[Dan S]

At that asking price, it's worth pursuing. The dial and hands are attractive, so there is definitely potential.

[Mark020]

Buy it. Bargain

[Tools]

Nice looking watch that has been prepped to sell.

If the price is what you want, go for it. It is not "all original", but then how many decades old watches are.

[996marty]

For that sort of money it looks ok.
Is the seller someone you know?

[zapokee]

I'd proceed with caution. There's a slight whiff.

I'd want a particularly plausible explanation of why he's offloading a valuable family heirloom to a random stranger.

[TuRo]

£5000 is v cheap, about 2016 price in fact !
Can you post the engravings up here? Also in UK I'd check our watch register 'lost and stolen' database - if there is same in the U.S., I'd suggest doing it...

[zapokee]

Originally Posted by TuRo

£5000 is v cheap, about 2016 price in fact !
Can you post the engravings up here? Also in UK I'd check our watch register 'lost and stolen' database - if there is same in the U.S., I'd suggest doing it...

I should have addded the price red flag too, Paul.

Offloading a valuable family heirloom to a random stranger for way below market price. It doesn't add up.

[XavierM]

No red flag at first sight, looks like an honest 1982ish 5513 with everything period correct except the Insert.
Polished, not by the best in the business but still ok IMO (so many laser welded case nowadays, this one at least feels honest…)

Price is IMO very low, I would expect such a watch to be offered around 11k USD before taxes, negotiated down to 10.5 (if the dial is as perfect as it looks at first glance) but the market is quite cool right now so I might not be up to date with latest trends…

As said above, better pictures needed to assess everything properly.
Reference number, serial number, caseback stampings, movement.
I usually like to put the watch on a timegrapher as well and to have a 3 bar pressure test.

Don’t forget that the issue might come from the seller and not the watch.