pin pointing the 5513 i want...

[scimps]

Dear vintage WIS

Im looking for some help and advice - after a lot of thought, Ive decided id like to buy my first vintage rolex... It will mean selling my current one - but ive pretty much flipped my way through the entire current line- up over the last few years. I dont know which i like the best to "end up with" but i think its the SUB (no date) - however it makes me slightly sceptical to buy another, when i did afterall let my first one go....

So vintage era is appealling to me now, its totally new to me tho. My tastes and financial constraints i think lend me towards a 5513 /5512. I like the maxi dial effect - as i dont go much on the white gold hour marker surrounds. im not hugely fond of "patina" either - i like the white markers and fonts and hands etc... but want the ones that "should" be there most of all - so if i need to alter my choice of direction i would - rather than end up with a watch that isnt true!
MY birth year is 1976 - so i guess thats a tempting year of production or sale to go for... does that lend to the maxi dial era?
IS it 2 / 4 liner ? gilt or gloss??
ive looked about a bit and seen a lot of dials and variations - it is worrying what has been swapped with what....
id like my watch to be a proper vintage watch... i dont want a watch with hands/ dials and bracelet etc not to mention movement - all of different dates.. I understand servicing a watch over the years adds to the likeliness of this being a reality... if i was to need to make a "period alteration" what would be least bothersome... ie can you struggle to resell if you have the wrong dial ? but easy to sell one with wrong hands?? then the whole "over polished" issue - its difficult to navigate that one having never seen any examples of polished or unpolished as yet.
will i be able to trust the water proofing ?

can i please get your collective best advice on how i should proceed?
im happy to study up a fair bit and realise there is a lot to learn... but if you guys can help me get on top of the volumes id have to trawl through just to be able to talk to a dealer and explain what i want - id be so grateful....

Finally. Please don't tell me I've misjudged it financially. I'm looking to spend under £7k GBP. Fingers crossed

[andromeda160]

For $7k Gbp you should have no problem sourcing any 5513 you want shy of a gilt dial. 1976 is still matte, and it shouldn't be too hard to find one with the creamy white patina you desire. I'd much rather have a watch with the original dial, but if it's been swapped with a period correct one, I believe that's acceptable too. I see you're in the UK and Somone told me you have to pay 25% import or something close too it if you buy out of country. Even with the import tax I think you will be well within your price range.

[waspy1]

Your budget will get a very nice example and will be in the right ballpark for a gilt 5513 from early 1960s to 1966. Highly recommended if you can find a nice one.

1976 is also my birth year and I'll tell you now that you will have great difficulty in finding a nice watch from this particular year. They are out there I'm sure but you're missing out on a lot of potential nice pieces to aim for this.

You can trust the water proofing if it's been recently serviced with new gaskets, tube and crystal but to be honest, I wouldn't be getting my gilt 5513 submerged. Not worth it and would be heart breaking if anything happened. I have other watches which I'd wear for swimming.


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[Beaumont Miller II]

PM sent
Many people born in 1976 have found it difficult to find a birth year Rolex.
The Maxi 1 started around 1977 or so. Buy a nice example of a period correct watch, meaning correct dial, hands, insert, and bracelet, and you will not be disappointed.
No one unless they are the original owner will be able to tell you if parts of the watch have been swapped or not. This is why I stress period correct.

[mdw3]

Originally Posted by Beaumont Miller II

No one unless they are the original owner will be able to tell you if parts of the watch have been swapped or not.

And sometimes not even they can!

[007Sub]

Originally Posted by Beaumont Miller II

PM sent
Many people born in 1976 have found it difficult to find a birth year Rolex.
The Maxi 1 started around 1977 or so. Buy a nice example of a period correct watch, meaning correct dial, hands, insert, and bracelet, and you will not be disappointed.
No one unless they are the original owner will be able to tell you if parts of the watch have been swapped or not. This is why I stress period correct.

Perfectly stated!

[bubbaK]

Originally Posted by mdw3

and sometimes not even they can!

this!!!

[Nobody.Move]

You have an ample budget to work with so I doubt that you'll have trouble sourcing the watch you're looking for. Do a lot of research, check out the FS sections in various forums (look beyond ONLY Rolex related), check out the auction houses in the UK (I'd avoid ebay unless the seller has a stellar record), and above all be very, very patient--don't buy anything you'll soon regret. Enjoy the hunt!

[007Sub]

Might I suggest having a look through 5513mattedial.com. It's a fantastic resource on the 5513 showing many of the different variants. My personal favorite is the 1977-78 maxi mk1. I think it has the nicest dial configuration, not to mention the milsub variant if the same exact dial (the 5517) is one of the more if not the most collectible submariner. Finding a good example though of whatever variant there is might be the best practice. My second fav is between the maxi mk3 and the pre-comex. But this is all just personal taste. Have a look through that site and decide what appeals to you most then go for it. It might take a while to find a good example but the wait will be worth it in the end!