Sub 5513 from '64 help please..

[Tri-National-Man]

Hi vintage Sub experts..
A trip to my local Pawn shop (in SW of UK) recently got me all excited about a watch that they have just got in..It is a Sub 5513 from 1964 with "meters first" dial. It has been sent to their local watchmaker to have a few bits done on it..I pleaded with the salesman to sell it before work done to it (they are replacing crystal and winding stem with non original parts) but I was told that this is not how they do things.Anyway from what I saw in the shop, the case is not too badly pitted, the bezel insert was still quite dark and the dial lume matches the hands perfectly..A really creamy yellow patina...No bracelet and they want "around £3K+" What else should I look out for..? I'll try and post some pics of it if jeweller lets me photograph it..

[Johny]

did they tell you that they were going to use non genuine rolex parts?

[azguy]

Originally Posted by Johny

did they tell you that they were going to use non genuine rolex parts?

X2....ah, yeah, deal breaker for me.....

[harry in montreal]

just make sure the dial is not a redo/refinish. also, the bracelet could or should be worth a grand, so you better understand the value of hte one it comes with. or doesnt come with.

[Tri-National-Man]

Thanks for your input guys..Yeah they told me that they were putting non rolex parts in..And yeah I know a period bracelet will cost a grand..
I'm thinking of going more modern now with a complete set 16610 I've found for less money!

[powerfunk]

Originally Posted by Tri-National-Man

Yeah they told me that they were putting non rolex parts in..

[harry in montreal]

based on your lifestyle you may appreciate the ruggedness of a modern watch you can wash your car with. however, the matte dials are pretty sweet. if the dial is good, i would make a lower offer on the 5513 and see what happens. worst case scenario, you bring it to a watchmaker and have him look over the movement down the road.

[Tri-National-Man]

I'm going to wait for a more perfect 5513 for hopefully less dosh than full retail+..The 16610 full set will keep its value better than cash in the bank so deciding to go that way...Plus its got the date...

[lupus]

if you can get a 64 sub with a gilt dial for 3k gbp you would be pretty stupid not to buy it.

[Tri-National-Man]

Do all '64 Subs have a gilt dial or are there many dial variants for that year?

[harry in montreal]

i find the date feature to be a must. however, all of my watches are slow-set dates. thus all 3 show different numbers and i could care less. however, it has a date feature if i want it !

[romex]

Originally Posted by Tri-National-Man

Hi vintage Sub experts..
A trip to my local Pawn shop (in SW of UK) recently got me all excited about a watch that they have just got in..It is a Sub 5513 from 1964 with "meters first" dial. It has been sent to their local watchmaker to have a few bits done on it..I pleaded with the salesman to sell it before work done to it (they are replacing crystal and winding stem with non original parts) but I was told that this is not how they do things.Anyway from what I saw in the shop, the case is not too badly pitted, the bezel insert was still quite dark and the dial lume matches the hands perfectly..A really creamy yellow patina...No bracelet and they want "around £3K+" What else should I look out for..? I'll try and post some pics of it if jeweller lets me photograph it..

"This is how they do things"

They do things by using non original parts? That really is a sickener.

There isnt really any kind of rational response to that

[Johny]

hi


have a look at the 16610lv it has some interesting features. there are quite a few of them in the for sale section at the moment.

[bertberr]

Originally Posted by lupus

if you can get a 64 sub with a gilt dial for 3k gbp you would be pretty stupid not to buy it.

This... If it's a '64 it should be Gilt (the first matte MF dials didn't appear until 1966 ish on a circa 1.5/1.6m serial), so either it is Gilt, in which case unless the dial is refinished / relumed, rip his arm off. Or it's a matte dial in a 64 case, with non genuine Rolex parts and no bracelet, in which case I'd run... rather fast.

[Rikki]

Original parts are readily available for that model so why use aftermarket is beyond me. Rikki

[Tri-National-Man]

Okay...If it IS a gilt dial Sub and if the idiot in the pawn shop doesn't overprice it (as most of their watches in window) I will try and purchase it and have all the non original parts fitted swapped for authentic ones...
Johnny, thanks for your suggestion of an LV...I've actually already got one which I have kept unworn since new in 2008...Have tried to acquire a worn one to wear but these are selling in UK for over the £4K mark now..I also have a 14060M which I love but have just sold my Sea Dweller..Need a daily wearer with a date..This pic was taken a couple of weeks ago - LV has old scratched black insert placed on top of the green one..