Zombie 5513

[G-Web]

I've been meaning to post this for a while, but I'm only now getting around to it now that things are slowing down for the holidays.

So, shortly after I started my job a couple years ago, I noticed a coworker wearing a plexi Sub, and I asked her about it.

She told me that after buying her house, she had a landscaper come and do some work in the yard. The landscaper found this watch in the yard and brought it to her.

She called the previous homeowner, who basically said "Oh yeah, I lost that thing and got the insurance payout 20 years ago. You keep it."

It's a 5513 from about 1974, and after 20 years in the dirt and rain, it wound up and ran. The first watchmaker she took it to may have replaced the bezel insert, but she's since had it serviced by Rik Dietel, and as you can see it's a daily wearer with tons of character. Below are a couple snaps with my L serial for comparison.

This is one of those stories that makes me love Rolex even more. Because for all the brand associations of luxury, and for all the minute details we tend to sweat about condition and chamfers, it's a great reminder that these watches are built to take just about anything.

Happy Holidays.
And try not to baby your Rolex too much.
-GW

[swish77]

Very cool story. Interesting patina. I wonder what made it turn that color. I wonder if a little moisture got into it during all those years it was in the dirt.

[Stuntpilot]

Good lord Grant...awesome

[Kingface66]

That's is just awesome, Grant!
Have you thought about giving her some Polywatch for the holidays? A shiny crystal will make it pop!

[J!m]

How come you never find good stuff in the dirt?!?

All I ever find is rocks. And the occasional worm.

Awesome story and I'm so glad she kept it.

[traf]

Awesome story, thanks for sharing. Glad she rocks it "as is"


Sent from my iPhone 7+ using Tapatalk

[RKTudor]

Thank you for sharing. Can't wait to share this story w my watch friends not on TRF. Happy holidays!!

[brandrea]

Great story and good fortune on your part.

I'm going to start digging in my yard tomorrow, as we just had it landscaped this spring

[datejust24]

One of the coolest stories I've read on here in a while....the story of the gent who lost his sub while I believe a fishing incident allowed the ocean to claim it...for over a year if my memory serves me correctly....the watch was dug up by a dredge or some kind of machinery or maybe it was another fishing boat?..hell either way...it was found and was still ticking when finally found...his insurance company replaced it in the meantime also but again...I believe the watch made its way back to the original owner...I'll have to try and find it..hell of a story and I dig it's character.

[Dr.Smellody]

Wow!! Going to start digging in the backyard.

[Jfullm42]

What a crazy and cool story, thank you for sharing Grant!
Don't let my wife see this thread though because now she's going to want to me remodel our yard

[subx]

love the patina on the markers, it looks just like the Roger Moore tricked out 5513 that recently sold at auction for $300,000+ :)

[motoikkyu]

What a great story and a great-looking watch! Thank you for sharing this!

[Stuntpilot]

Excellent Grant

[Aceldama]

That's a great story. I could never get that lucky.

[1675-David]

great story!!!

[mjclark32]

I love everything about this post!

[roll9]

Great story.

[htbilgic]

Great patina!