THE ESSENTIALS

MAKE: ROLEX
MODEL: 5513
YEAR: 1968
BOX/PAPERS: YES/YES
CASE DIAMETER: 40mm
CASE MATERIAL: STAINLESS STEEL
BRACELET MATERIAL: STAINLESS STEEL
MOVEMENT: AUTOMATIC

The 5513 marque of the Submariner is arguably the most iconic. It also produced the greatest variety within the model during its 25-year production run. Starting in 1963 with pointed crown guard cases and charming gilt dials and hands, it evolved through to 1988/1989 with white gold surrounded tritium markers and gloss dials.

Gilt dial 5513s were produced for only a few short years before matte dial 5513s were introduced around 1967. In the early 1970s, Rolex made another notable change to the dials, switching from meters to feet as the first measurement of the depth rating. This change was likely driven by the growing market share in the United States, which uses imperial measurements.

The present example, from 1968, features a 'Meters First' matte dial—and what a dial it is. The tritium plots and hands have aged beautifully, acquiring an attractive creamy patina. The case has been polished in the past, the bottom right lug is slightly thinner than the bottom left, common as the crown guard side usually takes the most beating. . The beautiful MK3 insert has faded to a stunning grey/blue hue. It is paired with the original folded-link 7836/380 bracelet. The clasp was replaced during an early service in 81.

To complete the package, the watch comes with its original outer box, inner box, anchor, original guarantee, and receipt. Remarkably, this watch waited patiently in a shop window in Leeds for over five years before its original owner purchased it in 1973 for a whopping £95. The movement remains strong, running at +3 s/d, with an amplitude of 254 and a beat error of 0.7 ms.

It's hard to beat an honest 5513, and this one would sit proudly in any collection.