Heirloom '67 5513 & Friends

[bobafett]

1967 5513
I'm the 3rd generation to wear this watch. It holds such sentimental value I don't wear it as much as I should due to fear of something happening to it...so these are the few other options that compete for daily wear. I think my grandfather paid around $300 for it at the time, he bought it from a dealer while working in Hong Kong. I know the pearl is not correct, will probably fix that at some point, but this is how it essentially was when I inherited it from my dad (Jango Fett).

1967 Helbros Skin Diver
My grandfather bought this for my then 11 year old father so that when he returned with his new Sub they could have semi-matching watches when they went sailing. Of all these watches, this one is actually my favorite sized one. I'm looking to get a period correct beads of rice bracelet, as this is what was on it when my dad had it as a kid. It still keeps perfect time.

2020 Tudor BB58
This is the watch I wear most days now and serves essentially as a stunt double for my 5513. I really love this watch and prefer it to any currently sold Rolex Sub or GMT due to the size and less flashy bezel insert. I wish Rolex would make a smaller Sub again, but that seems unlikely.

2019 Seiko SKX013
Before the Tudor this was the daily wear along with the Helbros. I replaced the bezel insert with a lumed ceramic one from LCBI. I paid $200 for it new at the time and still think this is probably the best bang for buck watch I've ever had.

As much as I love my 5513, it's been interesting to see how these other watches have filled different needs at different times. Maybe some of you have similar feelings about sentimental inherited vintage pieces...I think unless I put an Oysterlock bracelet on the 5513 I might never feel comfortable wearing it daily...but then it wouldn't really feel like the watch I grew up watching my dad wear.

Interested to hear your thoughts on it all...

[alwayshere]

nice collection!

re: 5513, it may be worth getting a watchmaker to assess the condition of the dial and hands. From those photos, it would appear the lume is cracking on the hands and the dial has some oil stains / water damage?

The lume on the hands can be stabilised which will slow down any further degrading. On the dial, if those are fresh stains, they may be cleaned up as well.

Worth having someone check it.

[bobafett]

Originally Posted by alwayshere

nice collection!

re: 5513, it may be worth getting a watchmaker to assess the condition of the dial and hands. From those photos, it would appear the lume is cracking on the hands and the dial has some oil stains / water damage?

The lume on the hands can be stabilised which will slow down any further degrading. On the dial, if those are fresh stains, they may be cleaned up as well.

Worth having someone check it.

Thank you!

Yes there was an incident where some moisture got into the case a while back. I did not realize the crystal was cracked below the bezel line and it fogged up when I took a trip to a cold climate. It was serviced 24 hours later, no damage to the movement or anything, and got crystal replaced, but the lume has those dark spots on them.

[TimeLord2]

Very cool set! I have only two watches. One from my Dad for a Graduation present 35 years ago or so, the 1675/3. One from my grandparents, from about 43 years ago, Seiko 7548-701L. Pretty amazing the way Seiko has not really changed the design. Although, this one is a precursor to the SKX in quartz and the crown is at exactly 4:00. Might get a watch of my own at some point…

[bobafett]

Originally Posted by TimeLord2

Very cool set! I have only two watches. One from my Dad for a Graduation present 35 years ago or so, the 1675/3. One from my grandparents, from about 43 years ago, Seiko 7548-701L. Might get a watch of my own at some point…

Amazing combo...why get one of your own when you have the two of those! I always love the jubilee GMT's

[zapokee]

Originally Posted by TimeLord2

...this one is a precursor to the SKX in quartz and the crown is at exactly 4:00.

The Seiko SKX007 was my gateway into a very, very deep and expensive rabbit hole of vintage Rolex and Tudor. It has an awful lot to answer for.

[TimeLord2]

Originally Posted by zapokee

The Seiko SKX007 was my gateway into a very, very deep and expensive rabbit hole of vintage Rolex and Tudor. It has an awful lot to answer for.

Haahahaha! I considered another Seiko and then it was Sinn and then entry Omega or Tudor. I do wonder if I will ever actually buy something sometimes… That said, this site sure doesn't help matters!