out with the new (Deepsea) in with the old (Gilt 5513)

[British-GT]

Hi All,

I sold my daily wearer Deepsea a few weeks ago and purchased this gilt dial 5513 to replace it hopfully as a daily wearer, it was a private purchase and had been in the family since new I believe 1966 it has a 1.4 serial number? I was told that the watch has had nothing replaced since new other than service case polish and crystal polish, it keeps amazing time +2 per day, I am pretty sure its all original my only doubts were the bezel perl? and the hands which are a slightly different colour although i have read this is possible? I would love to hear some opinions of the vintage experts on this site.

[s4dan]

I'm no expert (they'll be along later) - still a vintage virgin myself, but I'd like to think I can appreciate a quality watch and your 5513 is a cracker Lovely dial, insert and nice thick lugs.

The hand set doesn't look that far out from the markers, the pearl a little less, but this ageing process isn't an exact science. I'm sure I could happily live with the slight difference.

Think you did the right thing flipping the Deepsea

[British-GT]

Thanks for the comments, I absolutly love all Rolex and the deepsea was a great watch but there is something so special about the vintage pieces, they just feel like a real Rolex

[Michael M.]

Huge Congrats!! Stunning 5513!! 1.4mil dates it to more 1964-1965, also 1.4mil is a correct serial to have a gilt dial. Yes, sometimes the pearl & hand don't age evenly with the markers, actually quite common. In any case thought, phenomenal 5513 & congrats!!

[Frogman4me]

Congrats! Great decision I would choose this over 2 DSSD any day of the week. Enjoy wearing some great history.

[Paul Raposo]

Thank you for posting this, British-GT. It really is a prime example of a vintage 5513.

It has finally made me understand why I'm hesitating so much on buying a newer Rolex--I love the vintage models

[British-GT]

The unusual thing is that I was not particulary looking for a gilt etc I just wanted a fair example 5513 of any age as a daily wearer price rage £2500-£3000, I paid £2700 for this one so think I got a good buy although I must admit I'm feeling like its maybe to nice an exapmle as a daily wearer which is a bit of a shame as I wanted a watch I did not have to worry about!!

[CaveDiver]

Although it is next impossible to guarantee that parts have not been replace along the years at service, it appears the insert is period correct from the pictures. On the Perl dot: is there material inside it? It is possible the dot has cracked allowing the luminous to leak out. For example:


Any better pictures from different angles? Nice watch, enjoy.
Cheers
CD

[Puffy]

Very nice!!!!

Hands and lume plots rarely age to the same patina

[Kingair]

Nice one @ a good price !

Congrats

HANW

[British-GT]

Here are some more images, if i were to fault the watch it would be a few chips on the edge of the dial but these are not that noticable when wearing the watch, the pearl does seem to have a crack in it.

[patina]

Originally Posted by Michael M.

Huge Congrats!! Stunning 5513!! 1.4mil dates it to more 1964-1965, also 1.4mil is a correct serial to have a gilt dial. Yes, sometimes the pearl & hand don't age evenly with the markers, actually quite common. In any case thought, phenomenal 5513 & congrats!!

Actually, serial 1.4mil is in 1965-66 range.

[azguy]

An amazing watch