Rolex 5513 - need your inputs

[alwayshere]

Hi all,

This forum has been a great learning experience (have picked up some great pointers along the way and try to help other members asking for input) but now comes a time where my eyes need your additional eyes.

Saw this Rolex 5513 locally - the dial appears to be original meters first with the tritium plots and matching hands. I know limited pictures (I could only take a couple along the way without offending the gent). No bezel assembly and it comes on a 93150 bracelet (stretched). Serial is a 1.6 I recall.

love your thoughts.

[GGGMT]

Kind of a gnarly relume?

[lupus66]

lume seems original

[mattedialdoc]

Pass


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[MorningTundra]

Discount the bracelet (say, $1k) and the bezel assembly (say, $1k). Need a service ($700). Still attractively priced?


Sent from my cracked, broken hand wound phone. IG @morning_tundra

[alwayshere]

Thanks for the feedback guys.

So I haven't decided yet but I took another look today (couldn't help it!) and still feel okay about it. Some of the luminous plots are bumpy from different angles - it doesn't look like its been relumed but certainly far from perfect. Otherwise the dial is in pretty good nick - no major marks or oil stains, etc.

@ MorningTundra - good way to think about it.

1) time keeping has been good (hasn't lost any time overnight since i changed the time on the watch when I saw it yesterday)
2) not fussed about the bracelet as its not too bad (clasp in good condition) so would leave the $1K in there
3) bezel definitely need to remove the cost.

Net net, I think the price is okay, less than $5K - might be able to talk him down another $500 so call it $4,500. Wouldnt say deal of the century but let me know if you guys think thats still way too high?

Thanks again for the guidance.

[alwayshere]

bump?

appreciate any further feedback

[lupus66]

decent dial w/ original hands is the key, @ 4,5-5, yes.

[MorningTundra]

For me $4.5k shipped, would be a Yes.


Sent from my cracked, broken hand wound phone. IG @morning_tundra

[Dr.Smellody]

Hell yes !

[Lol-x]

The re-lume dial for me is the deal breaker.

[alwayshere]

thanks guys - I think i'll pull the trigger.

You guys have been great so thank you again. I'm still unsure about the lume, it seems untouched as it doesn't have that bubble effect that you often see with relumes but can't explain why its bumpy at certain angles. Potentially its been re-touched at some stage? who knows...

Will try to get some better pics once I take it home - thanks all.

[swish77]

The uneven, clumpy look of the lume could be the result of partial flaking of the original tritium. You'd need to see better macro photos.

[Xantiagib]

dial looks period correct - for the year/serial

[alwayshere]

Here's some more pics - now with a spare bezel and a bracelet.

For the debate, the dial and hands do glow, albeit fades quite quickly.

[BrazenC5]

Lugs and crown guard looks thick...nick pick up!

[CalSRQ1]

Definitely been relumed (you mentioned the lume fades quickly which is not what the original tritium would do) but you cleaned the watch up nice and got it for a good price.

[alwayshere]

Originally Posted by CalSRQ1

Definitely been relumed (you mentioned the lume fades quickly which is not what the original tritium would do) but you cleaned the watch up nice and got it for a good price.

Thanks - what would the original tritium lume do?

[Styles Bitchley]

Looks awesome all cleaned up. Nice deal!

[enginerd]

Originally Posted by alwayshere

Thanks - what would the original tritium lume do?

If it's lost its glow, it'll do nothing. Tritium is a radioactive isotope that glows naturally with a half life of about 12.5 years. Google "tritium night sights" to have an idea of what fresh tritium would look like.

I have a 16600 from 1995 that just still barely glows, but I can only notice it in the darkest of conditions.

[Kingface66]

Originally Posted by enginerd

If it's lost its glow, it'll do nothing. Tritium is a radioactive isotope that glows naturally with a half life of about 12.5 years. Google "tritium night sights" to have an idea of what fresh tritium would look like.

I have a 16600 from 1995 that just still barely glows, but I can only notice it in the darkest of conditions.

My 1966 5513 and 1016 both still glow. And both have original lume. They certainly don't glow all night! But, if placed under a light for a couple moments, they will glow.
Apparently, ca. 1966 was a year where a particular batch of lume will still glow even today. Sites like HQ Milton will often use the phrase: "The markers still glow briefly when put under a bright light, which is correct for watches from this time period.

https://www.hqmilton.com/timepieces/...gilt-dial-8189

[alwayshere]

thanks - yes have heard both schools of thought - one being no glow and the other some glow.

@ Kingface, what serial range is your '67 5513?

[Kingface66]

Originally Posted by alwayshere

thanks - yes have heard both schools of thought - one being no glow and the other some glow.

@ Kingface, what serial range is your '67 5513?

My 5512 is of the 1,8xx,xxx range, with the case back stamped IV.67

[Tomas Eriksson]

I know one in many cases can expect a vintage watch to withstand water, but what is the opinion of all the scratches and dents under the bezel? I’m guessing the bezel gasket won’t be able to provide water proofness on that rough surface.
Is it if any concern for valuation? Me for example probably wouldn’t by a vintage sub if it didn’t pass a pressure test (well... if the price was right, sure... but...)

[Woody]

Looks really nice - great buy.

[CalSRQ1]

Originally Posted by Kingface66

My 1966 5513 and 1016 both still glow. And both have original lume. They certainly don't glow all night! But, if placed under a light for a couple moments, they will glow.
Apparently, ca. 1966 was a year where a particular batch of lume will still glow even today. Sites like HQ Milton will often use the phrase: "The markers still glow briefly when put under a bright light, which is correct for watches from this time period.

https://www.hqmilton.com/timepieces/...gilt-dial-8189

Interesting - didn’t know that! I just tried my 5513 and my early 14270 with bright light and got nothing. Maybe different batches have some reflective material/lume mixed with tritium??

[jban5]

I know that I got on this bus late but in looking at the original photos, without a bezel attached, it seems like a previous owner tried to reconfigure the shape of the case to look "ok" without a bezel. It seems that a lot of metal has been removed all the way around with the flat being completely removed.

I know that with a bezel in place it doesn't show this problem any longer but I wouldn't be satisfied with that case personally.

[alwayshere]

Originally Posted by jban5

I know that I got on this bus late but in looking at the original photos, without a bezel attached, it seems like a previous owner tried to reconfigure the shape of the case to look "ok" without a bezel. It seems that a lot of metal has been removed all the way around with the flat being completely removed.

I know that with a bezel in place it doesn't show this problem any longer but I wouldn't be satisfied with that case personally.

I dont understand what you mean - here's another without bezel pic - you're saying what has been removed?

[Croatan128]

Originally Posted by woody

looks really nice - great buy.

+1 !

[jban5]

Originally Posted by alwayshere

I dont understand what you mean - here's another without bezel pic - you're saying what has been removed?

Well if that's the case with the ring removed then I stand corrected.