Question on an older Sub...

[John685]

I received a call this afternoon regarding an older Sub for sale. It has just been refurbished, Don't know where other Florida. It's supposed to be a 1985 issue.

Any idea what would this Sub be worth? Sorry, I don't have any more information, but I may go look at it in the next day or so.

I've never owned a Sub and might consider this one if the price is reasonable.

I would appreciate any information.

Thanks,

[mike]

John alot depends on the condition. Is it a 5513 or 16800?

Late 84 to 85 was change over on the 5513 from matt to gloss with WG surrounds and the price will reflect that.
The 16800 was the same. You're on the bubble as far as a matt dial would be.

I'd guess 3.6 to 4.5K for a 5513 depending on dial, condition B&P etc...
Maybe the same for a 16800 -- same conditions.

5513 matt,


16800 matt,



I'd like to think these are toward the higher side.

[John685]

Thanks for the reply Mike,

I'm terribly ignorant on the Subs (sorry Sub owners) and wouldn't know a 5513 from a 16800. What are some of the highlights that I should look for that would distinguish one from another. I gather a matt dial would be one.

[mike]

John, the 5513 is a non-chrono diver without date. It uses a 15xx slow beat movement. Dials ran from early gilt/gloss through matt till the latest and last gloss with white gold surrounds.
While there is no bright line debute of the gloss/WG dial, most feel it occured late 84 to 85.
All 5513s used acryllic crystals. Hacking made it's debut in the sports line sometime around 1970, but there's a year or two overlap as Rolex used what was on hand at the time.
In the timeframe you mentioned about the dial should read feet first with SUBMARINER over. This was the configuration from about 1978 till 89 (end of the reference) and of course will read "SWISS T<25 for tritium.

The bezel on the 5513 is bi-directional and friction (no clicks).
By your timeframe the beacelet should be a 91350.

The 16800 introduced the 3035 fast beat movement, and was/is a certified chronometer. It was the first to use a sapphire crystal and with it the depth rating was increased to 300 meters. It followed the 1680 in having a date feature, but was the first diver to use the uni-directional ratcheting bezel.
Introduced 1979-80 the early versions featured a matt tritium dial sans WG surrounds, later switching to a gloss trit. with WGs.

The correct bracelet is the 91350 with 593 endlinks.

In either example the matt dial is preferred by the collector, but I would imagine as good matts dry up the gloss will be catching more eyes.

Both used 316 SS as 904 did not enter the scene untill the release of the 168000.

[Rubenonfire]

Honestly, Mike...I am just blown away by your level of knowledge.

[John685]

Thank you mike, I really appreciate the information.