5513 Strap Decision - Advice needed

[electronicfunk]

Hi All,

I have received my Dad's 5513, which has a fair amount of stretch on the folded oyster bracelet that came with it - Ref 9315.

Looking at old servicing records, Rolex (up until 2008 - the last service) would always service the strap and provide parts.

When I called recently, it sounded like they no longer service the strap and will sell a new strap 93150 for $1,500 CAD.

Trying to decide whether on below options:

1. Obtain the new bracelet and keep the old and have it fixed by Rolliworks
2. Have the old bracelet serviced by Rolliworks - Skip the new one.
3. Obtain the new bracelet and put the old bracelet "as is" into storage.

Let me know what you recommend. Seems like the 5513 was sold with the 93150 later on, so should look ok. Obviously love the feel of the folded strap and history of the original.

[roh123]

Restore the 9315 and use it.

[motoikkyu]

I agree, wear it on a strap while the bracelet is in the shop, then use the restored bracelet. You'll love it!

[electronicfunk]

Is there an impact on the value of the watch with a properly serviced bracelet? I assume function wins over in these situations, but not sure how collectors feel.

[Woody]

Personally I would just store the 9315 and put the watch on a 93150. I think the later bracelet is a big upgrade and is offers more security for your Sub. If you have time then it would be good to see some pictures.

[roh123]

Originally Posted by electronicfunk

Is there an impact on the value of the watch with a properly serviced bracelet? I assume function wins over in these situations, but not sure how collectors feel.

No. Not if done properly. Rather the opposite.

[chinaski]

Send the bracelet to Rolliworks and wear the watch on a Bond NATO in the meantime.

[zapokee]

I'd get the new one if you can afford it, and stash the old one away. The modern bracelet is stronger, more solid and safer.

As the watch has been repeatedly serviced by Rolex, I imagine most of the original parts have been updated anyway. You could even sell the old one to offset the cost of the new one.

How about a pic of the watch?

PS. Pedant point: The metal band is called a bracelet. A strap is made of leather or fabric.

[athom]

Solution 2

[Edman]

Just dropped 1200.00 on a new bracelet for my '78 Sub from Rolex during routine maintenance. Should have checked here first as I didn't know they could be refurbished.

[interestedwatcher]

The 93150 is a much nicer and more comfortable bracelet. Buy one, and have the 9315 repaired, then keep it with the watch.

[zapokee]

Important point: If you decide to get the new bracelet, fit a cheap leather strap and stash the 9315 before sending/taking the watch to Rolex. They'll insist on keeping the old bracelet if it's on the watch when they swap it for the new one. The old one is worth a lot of money.

[electronicfunk]

The crazy thing is Rolex just made a decision to stop servicing the old bracelets. I have service records where "links" were replaced as and when they were stretched. I am guessing the parts were becoming more costly to obtain and pushed owners to replace.

It would be handy to know when they made this change.

[electronicfunk]

Originally Posted by zapokee

Important point: If you decide to get the new bracelet, fit a cheap leather strap and stash the 9315 before sending/taking the watch to Rolex. They'll insist on keeping the old bracelet if it's on the watch when they swap it for the new one. The old one is worth a lot of money.

I am not sure if this is true. When I contacted them, they didn't have an issue with keeping the old bracelet. Maybe if you do not know better, then they would keep the old parts?

[Ross E.!]

Buy the new bracelet, keep the old bracelet so you have it and wear the sub on a nato strap while you wait for the new bracelet.

[electronicfunk]

Originally Posted by zapokee

I'd get the new one if you can afford it, and stash the old one away. The modern bracelet is stronger, more solid and safer.

As the watch has been repeatedly serviced by Rolex, I imagine most of the original parts have been updated anyway. You could even sell the old one to offset the cost of the new one.

How about a pic of the watch?

PS. Pedant point: The metal band is called a bracelet. A strap is made of leather or fabric.

The original crown/stem are long gone as those parts are replaced due to ensure water resistance (I want it to work underwater, regardless of age - tool watch).

The last service in 2008 they wanted to replace the dial and hands, which I nixed (luckily I was there). So all parts are original from documentation of service records, minus the stem/crown, which look to have been replaced 2-3x.

[electronicfunk]

Originally Posted by Ross E.!

Buy the new bracelet, keep the old bracelet so you have it and wear the sub on a nato strap while you wait for the new bracelet.

Thanks Ross - I have bought two NATO straps just to have as backups.

The junk pins that they came with do not work on the 5513. Does anyone know where I can buy extra quality links for Rolex?

[electronicfunk]

Originally Posted by chinaski

Send the bracelet to Rolliworks and wear the watch on a Bond NATO in the meantime.

Great Call. Will post some pictures soon.

[electronicfunk]

Originally Posted by zapokee

I'd get the new one if you can afford it, and stash the old one away. The modern bracelet is stronger, more solid and safer.

As the watch has been repeatedly serviced by Rolex, I imagine most of the original parts have been updated anyway. You could even sell the old one to offset the cost of the new one.

How about a pic of the watch?

PS. Pedant point: The metal band is called a bracelet. A strap is made of leather or fabric.

Hi Zapokee - Will work on getting some photos to post soon.

Seems like the bracelet 93150 being offered was sold with the 5513s later on in its production run, so it technically period correct, right?

[Dan S]

I would definitely have the old one restored and wear it. Put it away, absolutely not. Do you need it to last your whole lifetime, or is 20 years enough. ;-)

[roh123]

The old bracelets are so much more charming and light on the wrist compared to a solid 93150. I have no idea why one would want their vintage watch wear like a modern piece? Just wear a modern watch if that is what you want.

The refurbished 9315 will work just nicely and add a ton of charm with the watch.

[electronicfunk]

Here it is on the bracelet (before using some Autosol on the crystal) and recently transitioned to an army green NATO.

Believe this is a non-SERIF Rolex. Purchased in 1971.

[lsettle]

For what its worth. I had my 1971 5513 serviced by Ashton Tracy and he did a great job. He may even be local to you.

My 5513 came on a 9315 bracelet; I have since removed the bracelet and have the sub on a '94 93150 bracelet. The 9315 sits in a box.

https://ashtontracy.ca/

Thanks,

Lawrence

[zapokee]

Originally Posted by electronicfunk

Seems like the bracelet 93150 being offered was sold with the 5513s later on in its production run

Yes. And anyway, the 93150 is a correct replacement bracelet for the 9315. Either can be considered appropriate for a 5513 Submariner, especially for a feet-first one.

[plexigary]

Originally Posted by electronicfunk

Here it is on the bracelet (before using some Autosol on the crystal) and recently transitioned to an army green NATO.

For what it's worth, it looks fantastic on the NATO!

Originally Posted by electronicfunk

Believe this is a non-SERIF Rolex.

I'm new to 5513's too, but it seems like I can see the tiny serif ends on the 3-6-9 rectangle indices?

[electronicfunk]

Originally Posted by plexigary

For what it's worth, it looks fantastic on the NATO!



I'm new to 5513's too, but it seems like I can see the tiny serif ends on the 3-6-9 rectangle indices?

Yeah I see what you are saying. Where I'm confused is on the 5513mattedial.com website, the other indicators are saying it is non-SERIF. No idea really.