1965 Submariner 5513 Question

[TuRo]

Originally Posted by Greglaw

Looks like a 6 year old painted some of the wording...hmmmmm

99.9% certain dial is legitimate - all the spacings and format are spot on - why you think otherwise pls ?

[hutch300]

@paul I think he believes what appears to be a scratch on the crystal is on the dial. I think its the crystal and the dial is fine.

[pmalsante]

Well I finally met back up with the seller and took a look at the serial. And it is indeed a 1,0xx,xxx serial number, which is consistent with his thought that it was from 1965. The seller himself acquired it and had it serviced by rolex in the 1980’s which would explain the dial and hands and insert. Would have definitely pulled the trigger if it was all 1980’s, but I don’t know if i can get around the big mismatch and how hard/$$$ it would be to restore it with 1965 parts.

Thanks again for all the intel and opinions.

[Sunny Arizona]

Buy it. If it has all original components would easily be 10 plus

[1665fan]

Originally Posted by Sunny Arizona

Buy it. If it has all original components would easily be 10 plus

If it had all original components………if i had a million dollars…..if a frog had wings lol…………come on guy

[Dan S]

Originally Posted by pmalsante

Well I finally met back up with the seller and took a look at the serial. And it is indeed a 1,0xx,xxx serial number, which is consistent with his thought that it was from 1965. The seller himself acquired it and had it serviced by rolex in the 1980’s which would explain the dial and hands and insert. Would have definitely pulled the trigger if it was all 1980’s, but I don’t know if i can get around the big mismatch and how hard/$$$ it would be to restore it with 1965 parts.

Thanks again for all the intel and opinions.

Many thanks for closing the loop. I think the asking price is fair, but only for the right buyer; ideally someone who is happy with it as is. Authentic vintage Sub with service parts. Like you, I wouldn't buy it with the idea of restoring it; there's not enough remaining of the original watch to make it worth the money and effort.

[hutch300]

I'd buy it and during service do the crystal and a bezel and have a nice 5513 I didn't have to baby.

[TuRo]

Thought it looked like a 65 case and crown (hopefully CB is 65 too and sought after old 1530 is original with brass reversers etc)). If it was in the UK I'd pay £5500/$7000 all day long (but 20% import taxes etc etc) make that prohibitive -Funnily enough, I'd located a period 64/65 open singer gilt dial and handset and tropic in uk for just £4500, plus insert be about £750-1000 - find a 7206 for £2k and bingo you have a £17-19k watch (and you could sell the other dial and handset, insert and 93150 for £2500 too) !!

[MrChamfers]

Originally Posted by pauldavidthorpe

Thought it looked like a 65 case and crown (hopefully CB is 65 too and sought after old 1530 is original with brass reversers etc)). If it was in the UK I'd pay £5500/$7000 all day long (but 20% import taxes etc etc) make that prohibitive -Funnily enough, I'd located a period 64/65 open singer gilt dial and handset and tropic in uk for just £4500, plus insert be about £750-1000 - find a 7206 for £2k and bingo you have a £17-19k watch (and you could sell the other dial and handset, insert and 93150 for £2500 too) !!

Why would the import tax spoil that restoration plan? The net cost would be $13400 and you would have a £17-19k watch.
Most folks would be very fortunate to find a gilt dial and hands for that price.

[TuRo]

Originally Posted by MrChamfers

Why would the import tax spoil that restoration plan? The net cost would be $13400 and you would have a £17-19k watch.
Most folks would be very fortunate to find a gilt dial and hands for that price.

Because I'd want to forensically check the 1520 make sure it's proper 65 spec' and case back stamped 65 and serial engravings are spot on and it's not my pal who's selling it, it's the Op's....so I'm not sure it's even available to any old Johny like me.. Also, I've found its rarely just VAT that gets added it's other duties and fees you can't control that can often get you to 25% extra costs ...then I have to pay my watchmaker about £750 to do all the work.

[MrChamfers]

Originally Posted by pauldavidthorpe

Because I'd want to forensically check the 1520 make sure it's proper 65 spec' and case back stamped 65 and serial engravings are spot on and it's not my pal who's selling it, it's the Op's....so I'm not sure it's even available to any old Johny like me.. Also, I've found its rarely just VAT that gets added it's other duties and fees you can't control that can often get you to 25% extra costs ...then I have to pay my watchmaker about £750 to do all the work.

as an aside, it is amazing how much more vintage watchmakers charge in the UK.

[TuRo]

Originally Posted by MrChamfers

as an aside, it is amazing how much more vintage watchmakers charge in the UK.

Full strip and service u/s clean, regulate, pressure test and all gaskets and other ancillaries..incl check dial and hands are stable and if not stabilize, clean polish and fit my supplied period 60s tropic, check 7206 rivets, clean retaining ring and bezel and fit new insert, check crown and stem are period and clean and refit and post back insured for £750 - Curious who's cheaper in USA for that work ?

[Dan S]

Originally Posted by pauldavidthorpe

Curious who's cheaper in USA for that work ?

I prefer not to say.

[southtexas]

Originally Posted by Dan S

I prefer not to say.

Me too!


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[1675-David]

[4rnold]

Originally Posted by pmalsante

Hello friends. I'm a frequent reader but an infrequent poster and I'm hoping for some of your expertise on a matter.

A friend who owns a jewelry store is selling a vintage Submariner from 1965. The watch looks great. But I DID notice that the second hand was lacking that smooth Rolex movement. Instead, it very distinctly stopped at each second.

Is that reason to question the watch's authenticity? Or is the "smoothness" of the movement less important/less telling for a Rolex that is almost 60 years old? I wish I snapped some pics to share with you.

Appreciate any insight you all may have on the matter! And any other watchouts you may know about on old models like this.

I would not buy it if I were you, because you obviously care about authenticity. It wil bother you sooner or later.

If I were me, wich I am, I would buy it for that money, because altough I'm a watch lover I think a watch is just a piece of machinery. The emotional value is more important to me. I could get over the service parts, as someone mentioned above, you don't have to baby it. And you have a decent watch. And an honest one imho, as it is being serviced in the 80's it was common to change those dials etc...

So unless you have my point of view, don't buy it, as you will regret it later on and it stays a lot of money in the end. And don't look at the resale value.

[Greglaw]

Originally Posted by Kingface66

We’re talking about a low-rez pic of a watch with a scratched, blemished, and chipped, crystal. Are you suggesting it’s repainted/fake?

I am commenting on what I see...why people insist on posting horrible pictures, looking for advice, is ridiculous.

I am merely stating what I see in the picture. If someone is going to post pictures like this, then they are going to get many different comments. I don’t know if it is fake, genuine, repainted, etc. The writing looks like it was painted on like a child in the picture. That is what I see. Maybe I am ignorant, or have poor eyesight, but, that is how I see it.

[mountainjogger]

Originally Posted by Dan S

Many thanks for closing the loop. I think the asking price is fair, but only for the right buyer; ideally someone who is happy with it as is. Authentic vintage Sub with service parts. Like you, I wouldn't buy it with the idea of restoring it; there's not enough remaining of the original watch to make it worth the money and effort.

Same.

[Kingface66]

Originally Posted by Greglaw

I am commenting on what I see...why people insist on posting horrible pictures, looking for advice, is ridiculous.

I am merely stating what I see in the picture. If someone is going to post pictures like this, then they are going to get many different comments. I don’t know if it is fake, genuine, repainted, etc. The writing looks like it was painted on like a child in the picture. That is what I see. Maybe I am ignorant, or have poor eyesight, but, that is how I see it.

Couldn't agree more. Terrible pictures drive me crazy. I'm just saying when a crystal is so blemished and scratched up, it's practically pointless to comment on the details of the dial since you can barely make them out.

[pmalsante]

Sorry for the bad picture. I couldn’t figure out how to make the picture small enough to post on here while still keeping the image quality high. I thought it was pretty decent of a pic, but I guess not lol

[Greglaw]

Originally Posted by Kingface66

Couldn't agree more. Terrible pictures drive me crazy. I'm just saying when a crystal is so blemished and scratched up, it's practically pointless to comment on the details of the dial since you can barely make them out.

That if people want opinions they should really take the time to post solid pictures, so we are on the same page!

[pmalsante]

Hey guys just closing the loop here. I pulled the trigger on the 5513 after all. Appreciate all love (and hate). Also, I realized that using Tapatalk is a way better way to do this. So hopefully this update pic of the cleaned up watch looks a little better


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[alwayshere]

thanks for closing the loop. Nice watch regardless. Wear it well.

[TuRo]

Wise purchase sir. Got yourself a very passable, cheap submariner with a v nice patina actually, I think... and it's also got the bonus of unlocked £20k potential too if you hunt down cheap period dial and handset which do come up occasionally.

[annachinn]

For this price buy it now

[1675-David]

Originally Posted by pauldavidthorpe

wise purchase sir. Got yourself a very passable, cheap submariner with a v nice patina actually, i think... And it's also got the bonus of unlocked £20k potential too if you hunt down cheap period dial and handset which do come up occasionally.

x2

[kinyik]

Congrats can’t go wrong for 7k…. There was a nice serif matte dial for sale on VRF but not sure if that would be period correct for ‘65. You’ll probably need a MF dial.


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[pmalsante]

Feeling great on the wrist today




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[TimeLord2]

Originally Posted by pmalsante

Feeling great on the wrist today
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Looks very nice! I have been following this thread with interest. You have been advised by the true collectors and experts on this forum regarding authenticity. They and you, and maybe your watchmaker at the next service, are the only ones who will ever know it has service parts. It is extremely wearable, enjoy it! It looks great!

[LateLearner]

Nice finished product. Enjoy it and don’t stress over bumps and bruises.


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