Recased 5513 Subs -- opinions...

[Another Newbie]

What are your opinions on 5513 Subs that have been recased by Rolex?

What was the process for this? Are these old vintage cases or newer ones?

Is this a plus or a minus?

Value wise, does the new case kill the watch collectibility?

Or does it make the watch more useful and practical?

Thanks,

AN

[JP Chestnut]

Plus - condition
Minus - 100% unoriginal

The cases are newer and carry a service serial number. I think a recased 5513 with all service lume replacements would be a fun wearer - if it was cheap. Totally not "collectible" though.

[jowing]

Originally Posted by JP Chestnut

Plus - condition
Minus - 100% unoriginal

The cases are newer and carry a service serial number. I think a recased 5513 with all service lume replacements would be a fun wearer - if it was cheap. Totally not "collectible" though.

Can you ID a service case by the look of it without seeing the service serial number? What determines whether the serial number is a service serial number or the original?

[swish77]

Originally Posted by jowing

Can you ID a service case by the look of it without seeing the service serial number? What determines whether the serial number is a service serial number or the original?

The service cases are 4.4 mil serial numbers. I think it would be difficult to tell for sure if it's an authentic service case without knowing/seeing the serial number, except if it looks like an NOS case on an old Sub. That would be a clue, of course, but not definitive.

For me, a service case kills the vintage collectibility of the watch, even worse than a luminova dial, but that might be a non-issue for some watch lovers. It can still be a great-looking Sub with a vintage vibe, despite a service case. Just know that it'll take a huge hit value-wise if you ever wanted to sell it. Dials/hands/inserts/crowns etc ... can all be sourced separately with varying degrees of cost and headaches, but the original serial number on a case can never be replaced.

[jowing]

Thanks for the info.

[Sky21]

There is actually an example of a 5513 in a service case for sale on another website right now. The seller is honest that the case was replaced by Rolex during a service.
http://forums.watchuseek.com/f29/fso...4135361?page=1

[MrNemo]

I didn't even know service cases existed. In what crazy situations would a service case be necessary?


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[offrdmania]

Originally Posted by MrNemo

I didn't even know service cases existed. In what crazy situations would a service case be necessary?


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Most of the time would be extreme pitting, snapped off lugs, etc. When more of the case would be made of laser welding filler then its time to replace.

[Another Newbie]

Thanks for the insights.

Any opinions on the price/value of the one Sky21 posted?

I appreciate the help.

AN

[springer]

Originally Posted by MrNemo

I didn't even know service cases existed. In what crazy situations would a service case be necessary?


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A damaged case. Not out of the realm at all.

[Sky21]

Originally Posted by Another Newbie

Thanks for the insights.

Any opinions on the price/value of the one Sky21 posted?

I appreciate the help.

AN

If you follow that sale, the market will dictate the value pretty well.