5513 Authentification

[Daytona88]

Hi All:

Have the opportunity to pick up this 2.3M serial 5513 which would be a birth year watch for me.

Coloring looks a little gray in some of the photos to me but was told that it may be from the light box. Seller took some additional pics for me and it definitely looked lighter and more stainless.

Movement is a 1520. No bracelet but I would probably wear it on a strap or replace it with a more current 93150/580 bracelet.

I have an inspection period and the seller has been around for awhile and with references and specializes in vintage Rolex. One year in-house warranty, for whatever that is worth.

Less worried about whether it is authentic and more so in what is obviously not original, like the service dial and hands.

Ghosting on the bezel looks pretty cool but am no expert.

Any input would be appreciated.

Thoughts? (photos coming...)

[GGGMT]

Uh, pix?

[Daytona88]

Sorry, was getting some strange errors so it took me a bit to get the photos up. Headed off for some zzz's. Hope I don't wake up to read a thread like the poor chap yesterday whose friend gave him a "PP"

[freefly]

Originally Posted by Daytona88

Less worried about whether it is authentic and more so in what is obviously not original, like the service dial and hands.

Definite franken watch. I don't know if there is anything original there, besides the case, movement, and maybe the crown.
Unless the seller has documentation, I'd question the validity of the "service" dial and hands as well. Most service dials I've seen for that vintage/reference have been matte Maxi dials (even if they were later versions with Luminova plots).
So, probably just a dial swap at some point.

[alwayshere]

aftermarket pearl on the bezel also

[lapince]

I am no expert but the hands are clearly changed, and the dial does seem a little off to me

[GLADIATOR]

Movement is correct version 1520

ADAM

[77T]

Agree dial's wrong for that s/n - on surface a service dial - or maybe worse. It makes for something you'd might regret if you bought it.

[brandrea]

The dials of that vintage would not have gold surrounds.
If original is important to you then this ain't it.

[Daytona88]

Originally Posted by lapince

I am no expert but the hands are clearly changed, and the dial does seem a little off to me

Thanks for all of the great input! In reading my OP, I realized that I was not very clear about the dial and hands.

The very first thing that the seller told me was that the dial and hands are definitely not original so he was very up front, regarding that. He also said that there is a good possibility over 50 years that the bezel, crystal, and others may have been replaced but he did not have the lengthy history of the watch, to say for sure.

My budget does not support fully original so I am certainly willing to accept some replacement parts, as long as it is not obvious that they are not even Rolex parts. The most important parts for me on this watch are the case, and movement being correct (ie. 1520 was one of the 5513 movements in 1967), and the case back (5512 or 5513 for this piece).

[Daytona88]

OK, OK...as usual, my TRF buddies have managed to talk some sense into me.

If I'm going to buy a birth year watch, I might as well dive into the deep end and look for something that is closer to all original. It will cost more financially, but I know that I will be happier in the end. Appreciate all of your help!