1966 Gilt Gloss 5513 Sub Back From Phillip Ridley!

[Cloudchaser]

I had Phillip Ridley evaluate and service my 1966 gilt gloss 5513 recently. I'm very happy with the outcome and wanted to share some pics.

Phillip was communicative and provided his expertise all along the way; what a great resource upon which to lean while servicing vintage!

I've had the watch on all day since I received it and have been enjoying it...it was even pressure tested (my wife has requested that I test it by washing the dishes)!

I'd highly recommend Phillip when it comes to servicing or restoring your time pieces!

Thought I'd drop some "before and after" pictures for all of you 5513 and vintage fans!

[Nikrnic]

Beautiful!!...

Sent from my SM-G970U using Tapatalk

[Andjwhite]

Both before and after it’s a stunning watch either way. Love it.

[ILuvSubs]

Phillip is an asset to the vintage Rolex community. Thanks for posting photos of the great work Phillip has been doing! Stunning gilt 5513!

[Onequik135i]

Ridley is top notch, he serviced my 16710 & 2201 Omega.

[emersm]

Stunning.

[harry in montreal]

I like the spots.

I was afraid they would be removed. I find the imperfection very appealing. Maybe I’m alone but a perfect dial never looks right to me

[bmb15]

Congrats, stunning work and result.
It looks that he also replaced the crystal? What crystal is on now?
A T19 superdome? Genuine or aftermarket?

The greyish areas are chips of the gilt dial?

[swish77]

Nice! Were the hands replaced or relumed/color-matched?

[offrdmania]

Originally Posted by bmb15

Congrats, stunning work and result.
It looks that he also replaced the crystal? What crystal is on now?
A T19 superdome? Genuine or aftermarket?

The greyish areas are chips of the gilt dial?

I think the genuines are long dried up. I have seen a few that claim to be genuine but in an original "opened" envelope. Its very easy to slip an aftermarket into an opened genuine envelope.

[Dr.Smellody]

Very, very nice!

[bmb15]

Originally Posted by offrdmania

I have seen a few that claim to be genuine but in an original "opened" envelope. Its very easy to slip an aftermarket into an opened genuine envelope.

Thanks, that's obvious. Curious what the OP answers ...

[KatGirl]

Now that is just plain cool...

[Styles Bitchley]

So darn nice.

[Cloudchaser]

Originally Posted by emersm

Stunning.

Thanks; I agree!

[Cloudchaser]

Originally Posted by harry in montreal

I like the spots.

I was afraid they would be removed. I find the imperfection very appealing. Maybe I’m alone but a perfect dial never looks right to me

Thanks! It's a hard decision on what to "repair" and what to "protect," but I like the imperfections.

[Cloudchaser]

Originally Posted by bmb15

Congrats, stunning work and result.
It looks that he also replaced the crystal? What crystal is on now?
A T19 superdome? Genuine or aftermarket?

The greyish areas are chips of the gilt dial?

Yes, Phillip replaced the crystal with a new T19. According to my receipt, it is genuine.

[Cloudchaser]

Originally Posted by bmb15

Congrats, stunning work and result.
It looks that he also replaced the crystal? What crystal is on now?
A T19 superdome? Genuine or aftermarket?

The greyish areas are chips of the gilt dial?

Yes, it is the gloss of the dial flaking over time (with some breach likely in its past).

[Cloudchaser]

Originally Posted by swish77

Nice! Were the hands replaced or relumed/color-matched?

Re-lumed and color matched at Phillip's suggestion.

[Cloudchaser]

Originally Posted by bmb15

Thanks, that's obvious. Curious what the OP answers ...

I defer to Phillip, of course, but I believe this one to be genuine.

[bradleyt09]

Congrats on a beautiful watch. Phiilip did a great job, especially color-matching the hands. I love the look. Enjoy it!

[Cloudchaser]

Thanks for the kind words, everyone! Really enjoying this watch.

[MotoJoe]

Originally Posted by ILuvSubs

Phillip is an asset to the vintage Rolex community. Thanks for posting photos of the great work Phillip has been doing! Stunning gilt 5513!

This. He’s a great guy and very knowledgeable on vintage Rolex’s.

[jatco]

Originally Posted by harry in montreal

I like the spots.

I was afraid they would be removed. I find the imperfection very appealing. Maybe I’m alone but a perfect dial never looks right to me

Originally Posted by Cloudchaser

Thanks! It's a hard decision on what to "repair" and what to "protect," but I like the imperfections.

My thoughts as well. A 'perfect' dial is out of the question. There are other reservations..
Still looks good

[Cloudchaser]

Originally Posted by jatco

My thoughts as well. A 'perfect' dial is out of the question. There are other reservations..
Still looks good

Thanks! When it comes right down to it, it lived in an in-between world...close to being a collector's aim but not close enough to "protect" it fully. To me, that means it should be made to look as nice as possible, operate as it should, and be wearable enough to not worry about it much. Toward that end, I think I may put a more modern bracelet on it (it's on a CI stretch currently).

It's a wearable "almost original" gilt. It is what it is, as they say.

[swaini3]

a big fan of his work ...... Enjoy it. Feels great receiving a watch after it being away for service.

[phillip ridley]

Originally Posted by Cloudchaser

Yes, Phillip replaced the crystal with a new T19. According to my receipt, it is genuine.

Correct, the replaced crystal is a NOS genuine T-19 and the hands were re-lumed with Tritium from the 60's.

[Cloudchaser]

Originally Posted by phillip ridley

Correct, the replaced crystal is a NOS genuine T-19 and the hands were re-lumed with Tritium from the 60's.

Thanks for weighing in, Phillip, and for shining a light on things.

[Sirschwag]

Awesome work Phillip! I’m enjoying my 5513 you serviced for me as well, always a pleasure!

[btinl]

Originally Posted by phillip ridley

Correct, the replaced crystal is a NOS genuine T-19 and the hands were re-lumed with Tritium from the 60's.

Impressive