Submariner Dial question

[tobago]

This is quite a forum that I have just discovered--the info is amazing.
I have been reading, reading, reading......

That said, I do have a question....or two, that I hope you can help me with.

I purchased my Submariner in 1964/65 in Trinidad as I was doing a lot of diving at the time and have owned her ever since.

She was not worn much in the late 60s/70s/80s.

I had her refurbished in 1987; sent off to NY as I recall.
She was worn for a few years and then back to drawer and worn on/off but not much for the last 15 years.

edited
So your very helpful site has got me figuring out which model she is, etc.

I thought for sure she was a Ref. 5512 since she has the "4 lines" for the Chronometer on the dial.
But I took her to watch guy today and she is a Ref. 5513.
It is clearly stamped inside the back and on the edge.

The Rolex guy also confirmed that it's a Caliber # 1520.

So why does she have the "4 lines" on the dial since a 5513 is not a Chronometer, right??

Additionally, it's a "meters" 1st dial, not "ft" 1st--I haven't seen any photos with a dial with the meters first.

Additionally, it says "Swiss" at the bottom, but not "Swiss < 25".

So I am curious as to these differences and thought I would ask the experts.

I will really appreciate your clearing up the mystery for me.

many thanks!!!!

[HRPinDC]

I suggest that you post some pictures. It will be much easier to assess the dial and answer your questions.

[pdoukas]

Need pics to verify properly. I'll try to help, but I'm not 100% sure on a couple of things.

If it says Swiss at the bottom then the lume is radium, not tritium. Trust me that's good, as far as collectibility. Also, is the lettering gold but the "superlative chronometer officially certified" lettering white?

If it is four lines then it is a 5512. 1964 was a transitional period for the 5513 and it was common, I believe, that 5513 casebacks were used on 5512's. but I suspect that yours is really from around 1963ish.

Meters first would be correct. Feet first came later.

To verify model and approximate year, take off the band. Between the lugs you'll find the serial number which can be used to date it approximately. Also you'll find the model number and I bet it will say 5512.

Pictures pictures pictures.......need them to nail down what you have as well as model and serial.

I suspect you have something special and the real pros will chime in soon to correct everything that I sad was wrong.....lol.

Pete

[Nalk7]

Pictures would be really helpful to help you out, however this post should be really helpful to you

http://rolex.watchprosite.com/?show=...4248&ti=829288

[tobago]

thanks to all.
I will take some photos today and post later.
the 4 lines are all the same color--white.
I really appreciate the help.
now will go read the post you referred me to.
again, thanks.

[cop414]

Would love to see some pics of your lifelong friend! Welcome to TRF, great bunch of guys and gals here.

[MichaelB_Can]

Sounds like you have a REALLY nice sub , can't wait to see it !


Mike B , Canada ⌚

[Jollyclub]

When you had it refurbished in NYC in 1987 who did the work?

[Rolexis]

The back can be stamped 5513. What matters is the case lug what model is the case not the back. In the older 5512 they did use 1520. At the end of the 5512 they had gone to the 1570. There are even some 5512s that are two liners. The real early 5512s were two liners.

5513s were never 4 liners. The dial may not be original to the watch. Shouldn't be too much of a problem. A 5512 dial has value too

[tobago]

again, thanks for all the info...........and questions.
and, yes, she is a beautiful watch--why would you own anything else???

as to who it was serviced by in 1987, I don't know except that it was a Rolex guy since we could not find someone in NC at the time....or at least that is my memory!!!

as to the case number, both the case and inside the back say 5513.
the Rolex guy verified the case number since I could not read it and he opened up the case and I could read the 5513 inside the back.

the Rolex guy said it's a Caliber # 1520--I would not know how to tell that.

I think that answers the questions that I could answer.

now I'll get those photos for you.
thanks!!!!

[tobago]

so it's not easy to photograph a watch!!!

I blew this up so it's easier to see.

tell me what you think.

the reflection near the "20" is a flash reflection, not something on her.

[pdoukas]

If it says 5513 between the lugs then you have a 5513.

Problem is that dial is all sorts of wrong. The 5513 is a 2 liner not a 4. The dial appears to be a poorly done redial. I believe for the 64ish time frame it should be a glossy gilt dial.

At this stage of the game you really need to post a lot of pictures without the bracelet, between the lugs, around the crown, multiple angles to assess more completely.


Sent from my mobile device. Please excuse spelling, punctuation, and brevity.

[MichaelB_Can]

When was the last year for pointed crown guards ? I know 62 they still had them but not sure if how far they where used .


Mike B , Canada ⌚

[Rolexis]

The dial looks poorly refinished. I would say keep an eye out on a nice dial and it will add value to your watch.

[Rolexis]

The band is not rolex either

[Puffy]

great story and impressive ownership!

bit of a shame the dial has been touched up, removes all financial value but there's still a lot of sentimental value in the watch

it should have looked like this

[tobago]

lovely watch, Puffy--thanks for photograph.

so what are the pointy crown guards?

you are certainly correct that the band is not original--it came with black rubber or plastic band because you don't want a shiny band when you're diving.
even the watch itself is a bit reflective for diving.

so you think the dial has been touched up and/or poorly refinished???

I guess I just find it hard to believe that the watch guy in 1987 would have even fooled with the dial....

I do appreciate everyone's help.

[springer]

Originally Posted by rolexis

the dial looks poorly refinished. I would say keep an eye out on a nice dial and it will add value to your watch.

x2.

[harry in montreal]

At some point the original dial was either replaced or repainted. It's still a beauty

[tobago]

Thanks Harry.
I appreciate that.