Question on lugs - 5513

[BrazenC5]

From HQMilton, do they look overly polished?

http://www.network54.com/Forum/20767...3+Meters+First

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[janice&fred]

no, they look like what one would expect from an old sub that was worn as intended and previously serviced and polished. still plenty of meat on them and overall the watch looks like an honestly described survivor.

[Old Expat Beast]

Originally Posted by BrazenC5

From HQMilton, do they look overly polished?

http://www.network54.com/Forum/20767...3+Meters+First

Sent from my Galaxy S6 using Tapatalk

Yes they do.

[omitohud]

I concur.


I blame it on the autoconnect.

[Gina Marie]

Yes....

[Xantiagib]

the bezel and insert do not look original, correct eprhaps but look to have been replaced at some time along with the crown which is triple-lock and twin on the original

[brandrea]

Yes the look over polished IMO.

There also appears to be oil staining on the hands close to the Center post.

[Toronto Soup King]

Brazen, don't be discouraged, the guys here are fair but VERY hard when they're grading vintage pieces! Half mine would be laughed at on this site, but if you're buying a watch to wear, you can overlook the occasional service part or overpolished lug. And we look at these watches under magnification on big hi-res monitors here, on the wrist, small imperfections fade away.

[swish77]

Definitely overpolished, but not unusual, as stated above. The problem I'd have is that the price doesn't reflect the case condition, IMHO. There are better examples out there for the money.

[Wesley Crusher]

Pass for me. The lugs and crown guards are very soft.

[themaninblack]

To me, a 5513 at this price should either be fairly strong in all elements or if it has some distinct weaknesses they should be counterbalanced by a few really strong elements. To me this watch doesn't quite cut it either way. It's okay, but at $10k? Perhaps I'm losing touch with the market. The same seller has this other 5513 at nearly $8k and its not very likeable IMO but he knows the market. http://www.hqmilton.com/watches/1967...meters-first18

[BrazenC5]

Thanks all...I agree with the overall consensus...with prices climbing, this is about the most asthectically balanced example in the $10K range currently (IMO). This would definitely be worn regularly so I dont mind the slightly oil stained hands or factory replaced parts, and multiple polishing over the many years...if these were not present, it would be in the $13K range (at todays market rate, whether we like it or not).

The hang up for me is in the first picture, where it looks like the tip of the springbar is slightly protruding from the lower left and upper right lugs...that part bugs me the most. Maybe they are not centered, and have a little play to settle within the lugs, otherwise I think this is as good as it gets for $10K with a bracelet (from a trusted reseller).

I may have to resign myself to spending a bit more on a stronger case, but now we're talking in the red sub range...I didnt think the prices of 5513-M/1680-Rs will start to overlap?

Originally Posted by janice&fred

no, they look like what one would expect from an old sub that was worn as intended and previously serviced and polished. still plenty of meat on them and overall the watch looks like an honestly described survivor.

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

Yes they do.

Originally Posted by omitohud

I concur.

Originally Posted by Gina Marie

Yes....

Originally Posted by Xantiagib

the bezel and insert do not look original, correct eprhaps but look to have been replaced at some time along with the crown which is triple-lock and twin on the original

Originally Posted by brandrea

Yes the look over polished IMO. There also appears to be oil staining on the hands close to the Center post.

Originally Posted by Toronto Soup King

Brazen, don't be discouraged, the guys here are fair but VERY hard when they're grading vintage pieces! Half mine would be laughed at on this site, but if you're buying a watch to wear, you can overlook the occasional service part or overpolished lug. And we look at these watches under magnification on big hi-res monitors here, on the wrist, small imperfections fade away.

Originally Posted by swish77

Definitely overpolished, but not unusual, as stated above. The problem I'd have is that the price doesn't reflect the case condition, IMHO. There are better examples out there for the money.

Originally Posted by Wesley Crusher

Pass for me. The lugs and crown guards are very soft.

Originally Posted by themaninblack

To me, a 5513 at this price should either be fairly strong in all elements or if it has some distinct weaknesses they should be counterbalanced by a few really strong elements. To me this watch doesn't quite cut it either way. It's okay, but at $10k? Perhaps I'm losing touch with the market. The same seller has this other 5513 at nearly $8k and its not very likeable IMO but he knows the market. http://www.hqmilton.com/watches/1967...meters-first18

[Brunik]

Almost 50 years old... its normal that are not sharp IMO.

What would not be normal was to have a perfect

[linesiders]

Looks like possibly polished at service and by time - not bad - nice creamy, but not unpolished. Springbars can be an indicator but are not absolute.

Attached is a 67 Meters First, a little fatter, probably never polished other than by time and wear ;)

Not available for sale (well, yet ;) )

Originally Posted by Xantiagib

the bezel and insert do not look original, correct eprhaps but look to have been replaced at some time along with the crown which is triple-lock and twin on the original

Insert is likely original or absolutely correct for that time period - bezel may be OK too

[subx]

lugs worn polished or just worn, don't bother me for a 'driver' (as would be said for a collectible car)
dial and hands are very nice and very original, the oil spotting is very minimal
the besel Insert is an original and desirable insert but not for that year I believe
crown replaced ( probably during service) no biggy and revert-able
newer bracelet for me is the downer as it would cost nearly $2000 for a correct swiss 7206/80, bringing up the watch to $12K

overall nice early matt dial 5513, not a bad choice, depends what your threshold for details and perfection are

[RGAmos]

Not so much overly polished as poorly polished.

[swish77]

Originally Posted by BrazenC5

I may have to resign myself to spending a bit more on a stronger case, but now we're talking in the red sub range...I didnt think the prices of 5513-M/1680-Rs will start to overlap?

Yes, good plan, although you can still find stronger 5513s in the $10K range. And no, it's doubtful there will be an overlap in prices with red 1680s. Those are creeping into the high teens now for good examples. Good luck in your search.

[onthedial]

@BrazenC5
"Overly polished" is going to mean different things to different people...that's why you're getting differing opinions. To me, "overly polished" is where the lugs are basically reflecting mirrors--the original brushed finish is obliterated and the chamfers are totally gone. I think Jacek's description is spot on: 1) it's been polished, and 2) it's been worn down naturally by everyday wear. imho The case is in acceptable condition.
__________
Instagram: @onthedial

[linesiders]

BTW - props to your avatar. Bone Flight

[BrazenC5]

Originally Posted by linesiders

BTW - props to your avatar. Bone Flight

Thanks!...former avionics tech on the B1B...Dyess AFB (91-95)

Originally Posted by onthedial

@BrazenC5
"Overly polished" is going to mean different things to different people...that's why you're getting differing opinions. To me, "overly polished" is where the lugs are basically reflecting mirrors--the original brushed finish is obliterated and the chamfers are totally gone. I think Jacek's description is spot on: 1) it's been polished, and 2) it's been worn down naturally by everyday wear. imho The case is in acceptable condition.
________
Instagram: @onthedial

I was mainly concerned about the spring bars that look to be protruding past the lower left and upper right lugs, my concern if they were over polished...I'll probably call Jacek tomorrow to confirm if they are just "off centered."