Opinions please on this 5513

[RFC]

This serif 5513 Sub is described as having an excellent polished case with sharp bevels to which I think that’s correct. My concern is that the left bottom lug looks overpolished from being uneven. You can see the lug hole in the left but not the right. Other pictures from side angles don’t show this. Is it just this foto or is this an example of an overpolished lug? Btw how does the dial look?

[1665fan]

Top right looks like worst lug to me…….everything can be laser welded and refinished and probably will be eventually

[Dan S]

I can't see any obvious concern about the lower left lug from that particular photo. You'd need more angles to judge the case overall, but at first glance it's not bad. I think it's pretty common that the lugs vary a bit in thickness from one side to the other.

[dhknola]

Originally Posted by 1665fan

Top right looks like worst lug to me…….everything can be laser welded and refinished and probably will be eventually

Lol, you are right. In 10 years the new trend with be thin polished lugs that have yet to be redone.

[Filipão]

Yes, good side pictures are essential to determine how close holes are from chamfers/lug edges.

[tekno]

Here is the watch

https://tropicalwatch.com/watches/kf6i

[tekno]

The cases are hand polished from the factory I think, and I believe the right side lugs on the older watches were thinner than the left, or atleast they aren’t always even from what I remember.

The case is standard for a 50 year old watch now days, it has been used and recut.

What makes you want this more than the other 72 he has or the 79?

Here is a great source for info on these subs
http://www.5513mattedial.com/

[swaini3]

From the other pictures, you can tell the lugs are not bad. There's much worse.

[swish77]

Originally Posted by swaini3

From the other pictures, you can tell the lugs are not bad. There's much worse.

True, but there's also much better. This is a mediocre example, IMHO. For a watch pushing $18K, I'd want a better example. They're out there.

[Dan S]

As noted, the case has just been refinished, and it's a professional job. Interestingly, if you look closely at the lugs end-on, the chamfers look a little sloppy at the bottom. Perhaps that's a difficult spot to get right, which might be a useful way to identify refinished cases.

Anyway, it's an appealing watch overall. Price is up to the OP.

[MrChamfers]

Those lug holes look kind of close to the edge, but overall it looks like a very nice 5513.

[tekno]

You can do better for the money. Most of the time when people ask for opinions on a watch it’s on the cheap end & usually an awful example.

If you really are serious about dropping 17-18k on a submariner I would tell the forum what your after and your budget. You never know what you could end up finding. Someone may know where a watch is.


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[RFC]

Originally Posted by tekno

You can do better for the money. Most of the time when people ask for opinions on a watch it’s on the cheap end & usually an awful example.

If you really are serious about dropping 17-18k on a submariner I would tell the forum what your after and your budget. You never know what you could end up finding. Someone may know where a watch is.


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Thanks so much. It’s been hard for me to find an honest example of a 5513 for 15k which is my top line budget. I don’t care about a full set, just condition and originality and preferably serviced. I’m most attracted to the strong patina matte dials of which Jacek, as you’ve pointed out, has a few but none at 15k or thereabouts. So all hands on deck for any tips of sources that might help me get there!

[illiguy]

Originally Posted by RFC

Thanks so much. It’s been hard for me to find an honest example of a 5513 for 15k which is my top line budget. I don’t care about a full set, just condition and originality and preferably serviced. I’m most attracted to the strong patina matte dials of which Jacek, as you’ve pointed out, has a few but none at 15k or thereabouts. So all hands on deck for any tips of sources that might help me get there!

If you stretch a few thousand more, I think you get some excellent examples that you need not have to settle for in the long-term.

Condition, condition, condition, condition … papers … box.

[beachboy17]

You can get lucky... I just picked one up from fellow collector exactly at your price point.
Newer bracelet, but collector is long time collector and watch was serviced by Michael Young last year.

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[TuRo]

Looks ok to me but strong money for a feet first, $18k is Singer MTRS first money in my head.

[RFC]

Originally Posted by tekno

The cases are hand polished from the factory I think, and I believe the right side lugs on the older watches were thinner than the left, or atleast they aren’t always even from what I remember.

The case is standard for a 50 year old watch now days, it has been used and recut.

What makes you want this more than the other 72 he has or the 79?

Here is a great source for info on these subs
http://www.5513mattedial.com/

What do you think of this 1978 pre comex 5513 that Jacek has listed?

https://tropicalwatch.com/watches/ucjr

Looks polished but with thick lugs and a nice dial. Still pricey though. Comments appreciated.

[Andjwhite]

Originally Posted by RFC

What do you think of this 1978 pre comex 5513 that Jacek has listed?

https://tropicalwatch.com/watches/ucjr

Looks polished but with thick lugs and a nice dial. Still pricey though. Comments appreciated.

72 serif would be my choice. Better dial and case imo. https://tropicalwatch.com/watches/q1m9


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[tekno]

Originally Posted by RFC

What do you think of this 1978 pre comex 5513 that Jacek has listed?

https://tropicalwatch.com/watches/ucjr

Looks polished but with thick lugs and a nice dial. Still pricey though. Comments appreciated.

I’m not the expert, only telling you what I would be doing if shopping. Don’t make the mistake I did and not listen to the forum.

I agree with Andjwhite, that other 72 looks nice. It looks more original. Let’s see what others think of it.

If you decided to move on that one, you can always offer 15 and see what he says. The market is soft right now, or slow atleast.


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[swish77]

Originally Posted by RFC

What do you think of this 1978 pre comex 5513 that Jacek has listed?

https://tropicalwatch.com/watches/ucjr

Looks polished but with thick lugs and a nice dial. Still pricey though. Comments appreciated.

Really nice Sub, BUT ….. note the dial is darker around the edge. Could be oil staining

[RFC]

What do you guys think of this other 5513? Pics below.

Its a 2.7 mil ‘70 non serif dial claimed as original not relumed hands/dial and matching insert. Admittedly case’s been polished. Bracelet claimed to be period correct but clasp is later. Asked for pics of opposite crown lugs and serial marking. No box or papers. It’s within my budget at 15 k. Euro is now 1 to one with $. Sold from Europe.

Opinions appreciated.

[swish77]

Depends how picky you are about cases, but that example has thin lugs and crown guards from polishing.

[Dan S]

Also, the insert appears to be a replacement.

[RFC]

After sound advice from all of you I'm now leaning toward the '72 5513 that Jacek has listed. It's hard to see at first to a novice like me how a case that looks worn and scratched but thicker could be better than a polished one, but you guys are right, it is more original and desirable. Let's see how it plays out.

[1675-David]

love that mix´n match bracelet!

[XavierM]

Originally Posted by RFC

After sound advice from all of you I'm now leaning toward the '72 5513 that Jacek has listed. It's hard to see at first to a novice like me how a case that looks worn and scratched but thicker could be better than a polished one, but you guys are right, it is more original and desirable. Let's see how it plays out.

I would ask Jacek some macros regarding the bottom right edge of the dial (between 4 and 5 marker)

[XavierM]

Personally, I prefer the case of the 78 watch, polished yes, but everything is well done and seems extremely close to factory spec. Not a big fan of the 72’s case (4,5 lug has hit something hard)

Only thing that could prevent me from picking this one is the strange halo around the dial (I would ask Jacek exactly what this is)

[MrChamfers]

Originally Posted by RFC

After sound advice from all of you I'm now leaning toward the '72 5513 that Jacek has listed. It's hard to see at first to a novice like me how a case that looks worn and scratched but thicker could be better than a polished one, but you guys are right, it is more original and desirable. Let's see how it plays out.

there's a meters first on the bay right now. It looks polished, but might be good for the right price.
edit: it went for $8800, there must be some issue with it

[springer]

I think that I would continue looking for better examples.

[Filipão]

The 2.7 mil ‘70 non serif dialed is not your best choice.