Very Old Submariner

[freed0m]

Hi,

My dad gave me his non-working Submariner, I am planning on bringing it to the Dallas RSC and wanted to know what model/year it is. I appreciate any input.

Thank you.

[al503]

I don't have any substantive input but that's a beauty.

I'd get it serviced (no replacement parts, unless its in the movement and its necessary), a new bracelet (but keep the old one) and wear the crap out of it.

[Paul]

Looks to me to be a mid 60s' gilt 5513 ( or 5512). Looks like rather a nice example too . Pop the bracelet off and the reference number will be revealed between the lugs at the 12:00 o'clock spot. Between the other pair of lugs will be a serial number that will allow you to date the watch. Another date code will be inside the case back that will hopefully match up with the serial number on the case.

Standard crown guards, no chapter ring on the dial , yummy gilt text and is that a Bart Simpson coronet I see ? . And a rivet bracelet too - might be a date code on the clasp too that ties everything together as a nice original watch all round. A very nice score Sir and in my books there is not much better than getting a watch passed on by the old man.

Lots of similar visual cues amongst the various early Subs. Someone will yell if I'm wrong .... they always do

A couple of suggestions:

The Rolex Service Centre's ( 'RSC's ) have a fairly blanket policy that sees any flawed parts swapped off and replaced with what they call service items. You would definitely lose those lovely gilt hands, replaced with sparkly new ... and totally undesirable ... silver items. You'd possibly also lose that spendid gilt dial, despite the fact that it is seems to be nicely preserved, if the RSC see flaws, they'll want to swap those items off. Your watch will come back shiny new, stripped of all character and valuing significantly lower than when it went in for service. And the RSC will not return the very valuable items that they swap off. They put them up their nose when the supervisor is not looking, take them home and sell them on eBay ( OK, I made up that last bit but they certainly don't get returned to the owner of the watch) .

Not a problem for you. In Arlington Texas, there resides one of world's most highly regarded independent vintage Rolex technicians . Expensive but you get what you pay for. Highly competent and totally sympathetic to the vagaries of vintage Rolex. Bob Ridley will eat that watch for breakfast.

[mrricks]

I'd take it to an independent so as not to lose the vintage parts.

[crowncollection]

Please don't take it to Rolex they will strip it of its original parts


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[brettpaul]

Originally Posted by mrricks

I'd take it to an independent so as not to lose the vintage parts.

Completely agree - don't go to the RSC as this will reduce the value of the watch for sure as they'll replace parts you (and collectors) don't want replaced.

[theflywrist]

Originally Posted by crowncollection

Please don't take it to Rolex they will strip it of its original parts


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This for sure.
That will clean up beautifully! Case looks really really great too!
Congrats on that stunner.

[brandrea]

Great looking piece. It's a 5513 and to my eye looks like an MK1 dial. USA rivet braclet.

Rikki or ABC would be great options to do a service and they know vintage so you wouldn't need to worry.

Good luck!

[Qinhan]

Originally Posted by mrricks

I'd take it to an independent so as not to lose the vintage parts.

As others have said, this x1000. Ironically, your watch is too important and valuable to give to RSC.

[Rebel]

Keep it as original as possible! Great watch.

[Dr.Brian]

Don't send it to the RSC! They'll want to replace all the "damaged" parts with shiny new replacements, and you'll lose some value.

[greekbum]

It's a valuable watch and if considering selling it it's worth the most as pictured. Do not touch it you have nothing to gain and everything to loose if that makes sense. It looks like a very nice example of a mid 60s gilt sub.

[16610v]

This may eaily worth over 40k usd as is. But if you get those parts changed, i afriad it wont worth more than 4k usd.

[DevinH]

Beautiful watch. Congrats!

[Kingface66]

Originally Posted by 16610v

This may eaily worth over 40k usd as is. But if you get those parts changed, i afriad it wont worth more than 4k usd.

Over $40k?? I have never seen a 1965 or 1966 (which is what year(s) it appears to be), gilt sub in that shape go for anywhere near that much.
That said, if that IS what they're going for, I should call my insurance company today...

[Tan]

Originally Posted by crowncollection

Please don't take it to Rolex they will strip it of its original parts


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This! Keep with an independent that will work to keep it's originality.

[Aceldama]

Beautiful watch! Considering it's from your father, keep it and get it fixed up. RSC is just too big of a risk, as others have mentioned.

Your signature says you're in Dallas, so I would consider driving it over to Arlington and having the Ridely's take a look at it and give you a quote. They brought my '72 5513 back to spec and I was very happy with their service. Once you get a quote, shop around at some of the independents. Take your time and do your research when selecting a watchmaker.

[freed0m]

Thanks everyone, your valuable insight and recommendation is sincerely appreciated. No RSC it is :) I'll contact the local independent to get it working again.

[azguy]

You have one of the best in your back yard, Bob Ridley, look him up

[Paul]

A closer look and I think I see standard steel hands .
That's probably totally correct for a late gilt dial 5513 too.
Looks like a real survivor all round.

[El Cascarrabias]

Originally Posted by freed0m

Thanks everyone, your valuable insight and recommendation is sincerely appreciated. No RSC it is :) I'll contact the local independent to get it working again.

And you will repost with before and after pictures . . . right!?!

[Wing Zero]

great looking MF.
40k is pushing it though lol.
Good luck and post more pictures when you get a chance.

[freed0m]

yes, certainly will post before and after pics

Originally Posted by El Cascarrabias

And you will repost with before and after pictures . . . right!?!

[alanszabojr]

Another vote for ABC well now LA watchworks

[freed0m]

hmmm... it seems the Submariner is working, the second hand is moving and seems to keep time accurately. Does this watch run on battery or some sort of kinetic movement?

[AgentHsu]

Originally Posted by freed0m

hmmm... it seems the Submariner is working, the second hand is moving and seems to keep time accurately. Does this watch run on battery or some sort of kinetic movement?

Have you tried winding it before you said it wasn't working?

[AgentHsu]

It runs on a power reserve from its movement. The power reserve is charged by winding and movement.

[freed0m]

Ah I see... That's why it started working As you can see this is my first Rolex. I have been wearing the Apple Watch

[freed0m]

ummm... no sir, I am currently wearing an Apple Watch

Originally Posted by AgentHsu

Have you tried winding it before you said it wasn't working?

[jban5]

freed0m, this is easy. Both your Apple watch and the submariner work on energy.

The Apple is electrical from a battery, the Submariner is a coil spring and you are the charger.

In order to charge the spring you use the crown device which is connected to it with gears.

First you need to be made aware of how the crown works. As part of making the watch waterproof Rolex came up with a crown that screwed down and sealed with gaskets. You unscrew the crown counter clockwise a couple of turns and the crown will "pop" up and it is automatically in the wind position. Just turn the crown 20-30 times and you will have enough power transferred to the spring. Now what you can do, without using too much force, is pull the crown out just a tad bit more, hardly a measurable amount, you will feel a slight click. Turn clockwise again and the hands will rotate. When you get to the correct time just push the crown in. Apply downward pressure and turn the crown clockwise and it will screw down and seal again. From this point on as long as you wear the watch your movements will keep the watch wound up.

You might still want to have the watch serviced if it sat up for a lot of years. At least you should be able to tell if something is broken or not.