Questions about a pair of 5513s.

[tcburnett]

I have two, one from my father and one from my uncle. The Black bezel is in the 2.4 mil range and the Blue is in the 2.9 range. Neither have ever been opened. The backs are blank.

The bracelets are a little different...one says 9315 on the end link and 380 on both pin cover links. The other has a slightly different clasp and has 7836 on the end link. Both pin covers are missing.

They both keep very good time. Pictures are attached, any information is appreciated.

I tried to post this earlier. I never saw it come up. I apologize to the mods if it is a dupe. Please delete the first iteration if it is lost in space.

aloha
Tom

[sleddog]

Tom, you're first thread was not approved as it inferred of selling.
If answers are what you're after, keep this thread factual and on topic of what questions you need answered. Value or price questions also not OK.
Do not offer (hint) at a sale, as this is not accepted practice outside the FS section area.

Please read the TRF rules and requirements, then continue.
Admin.

[tcburnett]

I have two nearly identical 5513 submariners from family members. One is 2406xxx and has a black bezel.

One is 2900xxx and has a Blue bezel. Apart from that the watches are exactly alike but the metal bracelets are a bit different.

What sort of question would be appropriate to ask? They both run accurately, are all original, have never been opened, and have scratched crystals. The backs are clean. The feet in depth is before meters. "Swiss" is in white.

I'd just like to know something about them. I can figure out the year of manufacture, but I don't know anything else about them. There are no papers for them, I don't understand the 'lingo' of professional collectors, and I am sort of in the dark.

I am not asking for an appraisal or offering them for sale. I just want to know what the appropriate nomenclature would be for them. Do they have large dials, what is 'gilt', can I have them serviced at the factory? Someone must be able to tell me SOMETHING about them - but if those questions are too provocative it's prefectly OK. I don't really care. I just found them in a drawer and was curious because they are just alike. Answer if you wish. I would appreciate it, but it's not important to me. Simple curiosity.

Here, again, are the pictures.

a hui hou
Dr. Thomas C Burnett

[Mark020]

We can tell you a lot but not without pictures :-) And provocative questions? Not here!

Post the pictures on photobucket or so and paste the links here!

[Grissom]

Pictures would be very helpful!

I'm intrigued by "I just found them in a drawer".....perhaps you would care to discuss that in more detail.

[swish77]

Also, a blue bezel insert on a 5513? Are you sure it's not black and has just faded to "blue?"

[tcburnett]

Here is the photobucket link: http://s5.beta.photobucket.com/user/...m/Rolex%205513

Your Questions:

@Swish: I am not sure of that, but it looks blue to me.

@Grissom: I was looking through one of my junk drawers and they were in it. I found a one carat diamond as well.

@Mark020: In an earlier attempt to post, I mentioned that I might not want these, but I phrased it badly. The mod - or admin - inferred that I was soliciting. Hopefully no one reads that into this post. I'd simply like some information about them. My father and uncle are deceased and not readily available to discuss the watches.

Any information is appreciated.

Aloha
Tom

[swish77]

Hard to tell for sure without seeing more and better photos, but they look like nice original 5513s with great patina on the dial/hands. And yes, that bezel insert has just faded. It's not blue. However, those crystals are so scratched and beat up that they probably need to be replaced. Try Polywatch first to see how good you can make them. I'd have these movement-serviced only, and maybe the crystals replaced and leave everything else. No polishing. Congrats, and enjoy.

[1675-David]

[Clay]

Looks like some POLY WATCH would be in order...

[Fredrik]

They look very nice! The original hands and dials look great and should be left alone.

I suggest a movement only service, new crystal, new seals and a pressure test. There are a few independent places in the US which I would recommend. Note that Rolex will still service them too, but you have to be _very_ clear in the communication so that they leave the case, dial, hands and insert alone or they will loose their originality!

[GeoGio Greece]

...I reopened my drawer, once more only dust is there

[etp095]

Originally Posted by Fredrik

They look very nice! The original hands and dials look great and should be left alone.

I suggest a movement only service, new crystal, new seals and a pressure test. There are a few independent places in the US which I would recommend. Note that Rolex will still service them too, but you have to be _very_ clear in the communication so that they leave the case, dial, hands and insert alone or they will loose their originality!

X2,don't have the dial or hands changed.just a movement service,and a new crystal.You could have rolex do the service or an indepdndant watchmaker.There are some very good vintage watchmakers this forum recommends.

[Warnsboy]

Both look extremely worn and irregular on the lugs and crown guards. I'd flip them on the bay or other auction site, take the money and buy a nice example with the proceeds. Trying to sell them on a watch site like TRf or VRF is not your best option. I would only clean them up prior to selling them. Your not going to spend much for a light polish and new crystal. Good luck!

[GeoGio Greece]

Originally Posted by Warnsboy

...Both look extremely worn and irregular on the lugs and crown guards........

I have noticed the same, but it cannot be that both are so symetrically worn and irregural. They may be shown as such due to the lens of the camera ( fish ). A better photo could help to clarify.

The non faded, has the wrong bracelet, and the bezel changed, so it had some attention at some point. Non of them shows water penetration on the dials or hands. This is a good sign. The strange thing is that both show the same time !!!!

In general, yes they are quite "used", but as I recovered once one of my first subs, ( era 1971), which was ending as such with the use it had then, they can be fully restored and sparkle again. I wish I could find one in my drawer

[DrLindaPhD]

Like everyone said, get the crystals replaced, have them serviced and water tested and then wear and enjoy them.

[James 45]

Hmm he sold these two watches as per the other tread in general forum!!

[James 45]

http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=286313

Here it is