Beater 1969 5513 Project thoughts

[Jaegodylan]

Saw this 1969 5513 Sub sell on eBay this week for £5650 this week.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/176167541011

What are your thoughts on it? A suitable project or far too gone.

The meters first dial has some significant damage and the caseback looks to have been used as a hockey puck.

Serial seems to be 2211*27 or something which puts it at the end of the meters first era.

[dhknola]

I was looking at this one as well, but more spectating than serious. The damage on this one seemed too far gone for any more money to put in to it.

[Dan S]

Did you buy it, OP?

[Jaegodylan]

Originally Posted by Dan S

Did you buy it, OP?

The seller has offered it on a second chance offer.

[Tools]

I think that, over time, this one has had a bit too much work done on it to make it appear to be better than it may actually be.

To get good structure back, chamfer, grain, etc., it is dangerously close to opening up the lug holes. The missing bezel may be gone because there is not enough structure left to properly hold it securely.

I might be looking for better examples, even for my beater.

[TuRo]

Be £3.5 to £3.75k tops for me not £5-6k

Dial is very scruffy and/or molested...so you are only buying a case and caseback c £2k, and calibre, handset, plexi, crown £2k....

[dhknola]

I am with Paul above. It's bad off enough that you sorta are stuck 'Brando-ing' one like this.

[zapokee]

I wouldn't buy that for any price. It's an absolute money/time sink, and it will still be very mediore even after all work has been done on it.

[Dan S]

That price equates to about $7k USD. Just to complete it with correct bracelet and bezel/insert would take it to about $12k, and then it's not a very nice example. So I'd pass at that price. Frankly, I don't find it appealing, but I know that some people like to buy pieces like this as a daily wear beater. If you could get it for $4k USD, then you could add a service bezel/insert and a modern bracelet and wear it for $6k-$7k.

[decisive]

At the point you have $7 in it, you’ve spent way too much.
I just came from a watch show; you can get much better for $7k - and have all the lume on the dial.
Theres no bargains.

[alwayshere]

Have a read of my thread here:

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=569591

Almost same situation as yours but far less issues. Price-wise it was more appealing.

Hopefully some perspective regarding undertaking this project?

[Jaegodylan]

Originally Posted by alwayshere

Have a read of my thread here:

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=569591

Almost same situation as yours but far less issues. Price-wise it was more appealing.

Hopefully some perspective regarding undertaking this project?

That turned out well. Thanks for sharing. How’s it doing today?

[alwayshere]

Originally Posted by Jaegodylan

That turned out well. Thanks for sharing. How’s it doing today?

still got it and working well.

[rushca01]

Every time I see projects like this the only way it works (to me) is if you’re trained/skilled to put the time into fixing it yourself. From welding, to running the lathe, to lapping, to the movement service. It’s a labor of love for a trained watchmaker or a how big is your check book for buyer.

[77T]

I undertook a project on a 1960s Seamaster belonging to my late Father.

Worked with a longtime watchmaker friend back in 2018 who had done over 2 dozen service jobs on Rolex and Omega watches for me.

It was a lot of expensive work (in terms of the watch’s value). Gave it to my brother.

That’s the type of project where market value doesn’t matter.

For the OP, you have the ball, you have our input, what’s the verdict?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[Jaegodylan]

Originally Posted by 77T

For the OP, you have the ball, you have our input, what’s the verdict?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

I am going to see the watch and see what sort of deal can be done. I know it will be some work, and it won’t be pretty but neither am I!

I will keep you all updated.