Vintage Rolex Submariner 5513

[donsidhu]

For sale is my Rolex Submariner 5513, serial 5,479, _ _ _ which I believe dates the watch to 1978. The watch comes with everything shown in the pictures – both inner and outer boxes, Submariner booklet, green tag with serial# on it, red tag, 2004 Rolex service papers and service booklet, a Rolex calendar card showing years 1978 and 1979, and green Rolex warranty certificate papers. The papers are written and are a bit messy, as show in one of the close up pictures. I have no way of knowing if these are the original papers that came with the watch, since they are written and not stamped. The serial number written on the papers and the serial number stamped on the green Rolex tag both match the serial number on the caseback.

The dial and patina on this watch are incredible. The colour of the patina, under any lighting condition, is easily dark yellow to pumpkin patina. This one really stands out on the wrist, because of the patina. The tritium dial and hands are all original, and even under a loupe, it looks fantastic and clean. The patina is consistent throughout the dial and no patina is missing nor has any chipped off.

The case to me does not seem to have been polished. I brought it to a specialist who polishes cases and he believes that it was never polished. But I won’t go on the record saying that it is unpolished, since it is very hard to tell with vintage pieces this old.

The bracelet is a 9315 with clasp code “A”, with 380 end links. There is a bit of stretch on the bracelet, but it still does wear well. The bracelet has 11 links. I’ve removed 2 of them to fit my wrist.

The MK3 bezel insert has a nice fade to it, and does have some scratches between the 11 and 2 o’clock markers.

The acryclic domed crystal appears to have been replaced by Rolex during the 2004 service.

To my knowledge the watch hasn’t been serviced since 2004, but I don’t know that with certainty. I had it regulated and the movement is running +5 seconds per day, and is keeping bang-on time. I’ve owned it for quite a while now and purchased it locally here in Toronto from someone on the Canadian Watch Collector forum.

This is one of the nicest vintage subs I've come across – seldom do you see one in this condition and with this much even and beautiful patina.

$18,000 USD shipped (Fedex) and insured (Parcel Pro)

[donsidhu]

Bump. Priced reduced to $16,500 USD. I added a close up picture of the written papers, which are dated March 14, 1979.

[donsidhu]

Bump. Price reduced to $16,000 USD shipped and insured.

[donsidhu]

Bump. Price reduced to $15,500 USD.

[donsidhu]

Bump.

[donsidhu]

Reduced to $15,000 USD

[donsidhu]

Bump.

[donsidhu]

Sold. Thanks for the space, TRF.