Finally joined you with a 1967 5513

[Xidor6]

Hey guys,

Several weeks ago I joined your forum with questions about chasing down a 1967 Submariner. I had my eye out for specifically 1967 and either a 5512 or 5513.

I got really lucky I think and found not one but three at HQMilton. There was one that came out after the first 2 that really called me. It had everything I had hoped for. It has the rivet band, the right year and I was OK with 5513 verse the 5512. I liked that it is a two line meters first.

According to what I learned about it, it has the original dial and hands, but the bezel insert is from the 1990’s. It was just back from service at Rolex in 2015 and the polish job on the watch is nearly flawless. It’s almost as if I got a new 1967 Sub. If I look closely the hands do have scratches on them. I can’t imagine how. Careless watchmaker in the past perhaps.

The price was good too as it was less then one HQMilton had that has the original bezel insert and the original bevel on the case was still visible. Though it didn’t appear polished. So I imagine the reason mine was priced less was the case was polished, and the bezel insert is newer.

I wore it all day today. Some things stuck out to me immediately. For 3 years, I’ve been wearing a new 114060 submariner daily. It’s my first Rolex and one I’ll treasure as it has meaning beyond being a Rolex. So when I first unwrapped the 5513 and saw it in person, I was really surprised by how small it looked and felt! HQMilton did a great job packaging the watch as some of you know. I read a lot in my years of researching the early Submariners how different the new Submariners are. The lugs are the obvious difference, but I was surprised how much larger the rotating bezel and insert is. It’s thicker and heavier. Even the bracelet links are thicker. The 5513 does have a looser bracelet in that the links are not tightly linked like the new ones. So those things took a little to get used to, but I got over it fast. I do wish it had the glide lock. :)

I can see why everyone loves the creamy hour markers and I had to stop smiling when I looked at that. If this watch has the original dial as I was told, it sure made it 50 years without too much wear and tear. The hands surprised me as I was used to the flat ones on my new one, these hands have some curvature to them. The lime still glows a little after being exposed to light. And I love the domed crystal. That was something I always liked when I saw pictures of them.

I’m glad I finally made the plunge. It seems like a good compromise for my first vintage purchase. I mean that it’s a watch that has been gone over and serviced that took away some of the originality. It’s not showing any wear and tear since it’s been gone over by Rolex and I have the card from Rolex too. So hopefully internally, it’s all up to spec. It was pretty much on time all day. It did loose a few seconds. I am a little timid to pull the crown out too hard. But I did to set it. I was surprised the second hand keeps moving while I turn the hands. And it seemed easier to set the second hand dead-on with the hour hand compared to the new ones. Winding it felt stiffer then my new one too. So I just have to get used to it.

Oh yeah, at first I was worried the rotating bezel had no ratcheting feel or sound until I looked it up, these use friction by pressing down on the bezel to rotate it.

One last thing, the size difference from my new Submariner was such that the 5513 felt elegant in a way. The new ones are cool and certainly make a statement. But I can see how the older models seem more balanced. It’s kind of like how I see some older versions of cars. The older e46 BMW coupe to me is so much more lean and balanced verses a new BMW M3.

I’ll be curious what you think of the watch.

Here is a quick and dirty photo.

[soxfan39]

Congrats! What a beautiful piece! Really enjoyed reading your description. I just purchased a 74 red sub that's being delivered soon and will be going through some of the things you mention. Sounds like this 5513 might be the first of many vintage pieces in your future!

[mountainjogger]

Nice!!!

[Rokoru]

That looks really good! Congrats! I owned a new 114060 for 8 months, but I swapped it with some extra money for a 16610LV.. It feels really different, and although not really vintage, it does feel like a little "vintage". I love it. Still I would like to have a 114060 again when I have the funds...

[brandrea]

Very nice, congratulations

I owned a 67 one owner, for about a year and half, great watch

[mattedialdoc]

Welcome and cheers to a beautiful watch! My '67 5513 is the most cherished watch in my collection. You made a great choice. Mine says hello:



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Instagram: @mattedialdoc

[yannis]

Congrats man!

[DLRIDES]

Congrats !

[Ripcode]

Congrats!

[Tom1675]

Congrats and thanks for sharing!

[Xidor6]

Thanks a lot for the enthusiastic comments!

For fun, here’s another quick photo I took to compare the vintage with modern. The watch on the left was my fathers which he got in the early 1950’s at the PX in the army. It’s a Speedking. It still works, though it’s not worn anymore. I’ll hold onto it. Some of the lume has flaked off the hands. I can’t find any other images on-line of this watch. As far as I know, the rivet bracelet is original to the watch. The crystal is still clear and scratch free.

[spoilsofwar01]

you cant go wrong with a 5513, mine is 1968 feet first....

Can I ask how much you paid for it?

[Canforfair]

Great story welcome to the 67/ 5513 club.
Mines was bought as a birthday watch.


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[Canforfair]

Here’s mine



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[spoilsofwar01]

Originally Posted by Canforfair

Great story welcome to the 67/ 5513 club.
Mines was bought as a birthday watch.


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ah yes, mine was the closest I could get to my birth date, I was born 1967 so 68 was good enough for me, mine has Rolex service replacement hands and dial... but this is all part of its history, enjoy it as I do mine.

[neicon]

Hi..
I just inherited 5513.. in mint condition for its age.. original glass rivot bracelet and perfect working order..iv67.. but now i want to try and get a box and tags booklets etc.. has anybody got ideas of where to look..

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[Canforfair]

Originally Posted by neicon

Hi..
I just inherited 5513.. in mint condition for its age.. original glass rivot bracelet and perfect working order..iv67.. but now i want to try and get a box and tags booklets etc.. has anybody got ideas of where to look..

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Lucky man , do them proud wear it and enjoy it . Don’t box it and forget about it


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[sensui]

Solid meters first. Enjoy in good health and rest assured that smile doesn't go away every time you look down @ the patina'ed dial.

[Xidor6]

Thanks again guys! Yes, I keep looking at it and smiling, can’t believe I finally found one. Glad to be part of the club!

“H”, as you know, I PM’d you.

[lupus66]

Hi.

[1William]

Congratulations.

[Xidor6]

Thanks Lupus, William!