Vintage Submariner: Rolex Submariner Ref. 5513

Thinking about buying a vintage Submariner? The most popular vintage Rolex watches are, without a doubt, the vintage Submariners and Sea Dwellers. From the COMEX watches, issued by the deep sea diving company, to the Milsubs, the military issue Rolex Submariner, to even the commercially released Submariners and Sea Dwellers which indicate the watch model in red font, rather than the more common white font, are all highly sought after and highly expensive watches.

Todays fairly common watch goes out of production, becomes a vintage watch, and one day becomes highly sought after since they are so few available. Watches like the first general Rolex Milgauss, were not in great demand, in fact discontinued for poor sales. Today, they command US$20,000 for a decent sample. 

An excellent looking vintage 1978 Rolex Submariner Ref. 5513. Photo

 is from the JK Watchstore and is used with their permission. No republication of

 the same should be made without permission from the source.

There are some vintage Submariner out there, specially the Rolex 5513, 1680 (with the words Submariner in white) and the 16800, which at the present time are not as highly sought after as some of there more "exotic" brethren. But these watches have all been out of production for two decades or more, and while they may not be the most sought after Submariners, we think that now is a good time to buy them.

The case for the Rolex Ref. 5513.  Hiding in the shadows of the COMEX, Mil and Red Submariners is the humble Rolex Ref. 5513 Submariner. Produced from 1962 to 1990, it is the longest running Rolex production Submariner if not the single longest running production model. It is a time only watch, with no date display, and was powered by both the 1520 movement and later the 1530 movement. While the Ref. 5513 was manufacture for almost twenty-eight years, a lesser known fact is that it actually came with five different dial variants over that period of time. DoubleRedSeadweller.com has a detail article on the five different type of dials. A Ref. 5513 will cost you from just over US$4K for a late model to over US$10K for an earlier model in good condition, and with five different variants, is not as common as you think. With each passing year, you can only expect the prices of this watch to continue to rise. Still, right now, as far as Rolex vintage watches go, the Ref. 5513 is still a value for money proposition. 

The Ref. 5513's produced from 1962 to about 1984-85, had matte dials, no steel or white gold borders around the hour markers and a acrylic crystal. While the dials of these watches evolved with four different variants over twenty-two years, the print on Rolex watches have changed from time to time for no apparent reason. These matte dialed watches are the first generation Ref. 5513's, and are the most desirable if you can find one with a matte dial and acrylic crystal. Will get back to this later.  

First generation Rolex Submariner Ref. 5513. Photo is from the JK Watchstore

and is used with their permission. No republication of the same

 should be made without permission from the source. 

Later, from the mid-80's the dial was change by adding borders around the hour markers and making it glossy. In addition, the acrylic crystal was change to a sapphire crystal glass. This "second generation" 5513 is hard to distinguish from the 14060 and the current model 14060m except with the difference being the the second generation Ref. 5513 has a dept rating of 200 meters instead of 300 meters and the watches have different case backs and crowns. Because it looks more like the current model no-date Submariner, we think it is somewhat less desirable.

Second generation Rolex Submariner Ref. 5513. Photo is from the JK Watchstore

and is used with their permission. No republication of the same

 should be made without permission from the source. 

Finding a first generation Ref. 5513 in close to its original condition is not all that easy. As these older watches have gone back for service, matte dials in bad condition have been replaced by the glossy dial of the second generation Ref. 5513, defective twinlock winding crowns would have been replaced by the triplock crowns of the current generation Submariners, damaged bezel inserts would have been replaced with the current generation inserts, some would even have their scratched acrylic crystals replaced by sapphire crystal glass, and most would also have had their bracelets replaced by newer models. 

We do not consider the replacement of the crown or bracelet a serious matter. The upgrading process are Rolex's official replacement parts for this watch. They do not detract from the visual appeal of the watch. The replacement of the matte dial and acrylic crystal is a shame, as the watch losses its distinctive vintage look.

We find the second generation Ref. 5513 less desirable, but as a counterpoint, it was only in production for less than six years. While the second generation Ref. 5513 has "only" been out of production for a quarter century, and their are plenty of excellent examples in the market... remember they are not making them any more, and they did not make all that many. 

If you are looking for a vintage Rolex Submariner, whose price has not yet skyrocketed to Patek Philippe levels, we recommend you give the Ref. 5513 a look.

    

About Rolex. Rolex SA is a Swiss manufacturer of wristwatches and accessories founded in 1905 by Hans Wilsdorf and Alfred Davis. Rolex is the largest single luxury watch brand by far, producing over 2000 watches per day. Rolex is the best known and most sought after watch brand in the world.