Help me learn about finding my birth year Sub

[JeanGenie]

Hey TRF,

After much hemming and hawing I have decided to save and plan for a birth year SS Sub, preferably no date (I’ll settle for date if I have to).

So I’m late December 1984. I guess an ‘85 would be fine too right? What I want to know is: where should I look for one, and what sort of price point should I be expecting? Anything else I should know?

Is this technically vintage? Is it still 5513 or did those stop in the early 80s?

Thanks!

[junamuan]

go to classified ads Rolex branded and search for sub 1984.

[exador]

Yes the 5513 was manufactured from 1962 to 1989. You should have no trouble finding a good one.

I unfortunately was born in 1962 and would have to mortgage the house to get a birth year example

[JeanGenie]

Originally Posted by exador

Yes the 5513 was manufactured from 1962 to 1989. You should have no trouble finding a good one.

I unfortunately was born in 1962 and would have to mortgage the house to get a birth year example

Heh yes I consider myself lucky! Dumb millennial that I am. Ok so folks tend to list these for sale with the actual year?

[galaxy101]

That’s actually very cool idea. It makes me think maybe I wanna do it for myself as well: 1980 :-)


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[mtgjr]

For 1984, you're looking for roughly 8,3XX,XXX to 8,8XX,XXX serial numbers.

[JeanGenie]

What’s the going rate for something like this?

[exador]

Actually might be more difficult than I thought...

https://www.watchrecon.com/?query=rolex+submariner+1984

That 16800 with box & papers looks good if you're happy with a transitional model.

[JeanGenie]

Originally Posted by exador

Actually might be more difficult than I thought...

https://www.watchrecon.com/?query=rolex+submariner+1984

That 16800 with box & papers looks good if you're happy with a transitional model.

Yup I just saw that. I guess for this purpose the year is more key than the model. Seems like a decent deal.

[yessir69]

Go to HQ Milton's website and type "1984" in the search box. Repeat until Jacek has one in stock you like.

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[The Argonaut]

Originally Posted by yessir69

Go to HQ Milton's website and type "1984" in the search box. Repeat until Jacek has one in stock you like.

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Bloody brilliant. I've been looking for a good site for a 1970. I thank you.

[yessir69]

Originally Posted by The Argonaut

Bloody brilliant. I've been looking for a good site for a 1970. I thank you.

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[GFONG]

Just curious, why people want to get the watch in their birth year?

I think it is meaningful when we or our parents buy the to celebrate the new born and pass down to them.

[JeanGenie]

Originally Posted by GFONG

Just curious, why people want to get the watch in their birth year?

I think it is meaningful when we or our parents buy the to celebrate the new born and pass down to them.

Well my parents were middle class paycheck to paycheck folks. All the money they ever had to spare went to my tuition, my wedding, and help during grad school. They would never understand or condone purchasing something like a Rolex; so, it’s up to me to do the dumb, impulsive stuff they taught me not to do.

[The Argonaut]

Originally Posted by GFONG

Just curious, why people want to get the watch in their birth year?

I think it is meaningful when we or our parents buy the to celebrate the new born and pass down to them.

You mean why would one want to get something to celebrate one's own birth and life?

[Speed]

Originally Posted by JeanGenie

Heh yes I consider myself lucky! Dumb millennial that I am. Ok so folks tend to list these for sale with the actual year?

No. They list them by the serial Letter . Number. As Padi and other Mods will tell you, that letter / number - according to charts on the internet - approximate the year the case was stamped. Who knows when the actual watch was assembled and sold. Presumably Steel watches did not lie about for years.

So...if you are ok with buying a used watch possibly / likely made around the same year as your birth, consult an internet chart of your liking and best of luck!

[joe100]

The birth year thing puts a needless restriction on your search. Why not settle on a reference you like and try to find the best example you can? I’d much rather have a nice Submariner than one I settled on simply because the serial dates to 1986.

Remember, the whole watch wasn’t likely made in 1986 either. The case could have been made 2 years before, the movement a year before, the dial printed who knows when, the bracelet could be from 1987 and the whole thing sold in 1988. This serial number dating thing is not a science by any stretch.

[GFONG]

Originally Posted by JeanGenie

Well my parents were middle class paycheck to paycheck folks. All the money they ever had to spare went to my tuition, my wedding, and help during grad school. They would never understand or condone purchasing something like a Rolex; so, it’s up to me to do the dumb, impulsive stuff they taught me not to do.

Understand.

I had the same thinking in the past and end up bought the new watch.

The reasons are:
- Even it is my birth year watch, it doesn’t have the sentimental value.
- It is very hard to find (my birth year is 1960 )
- I don’t have the knowledge to know whether the watch is genuine.
- I concern about the maintenance cost and the parts availability.

[Cloudchaser]

Your birth year sub (1984) is currently for sale in the FS here on TRF. Go have a look!

[mtgjr]

Originally Posted by Cloudchaser

Your birth year sub (1984) is currently for sale in the FS here on TRF. Go have a look!

A link would have been super duper helpful.

[Muzz]

Young people have it so easy!!!

[Number3]

Originally Posted by mtgjr

A link would have been super duper helpful.

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=574590

Though this is the 16800 date....

[IronRiceBowl]

Keep in mind that this sub that's been linked has a replaced dial- just in case you were searching for something all original

[JeanGenie]

Excellent points being made about the difficulty in accurately nailing down the “production year.” As many point out, it’s more an imagined thing with Rolex based on how watches are assembled. Thanks for that info.

I think it would be really cool to find a mid-80s Sub. From searching the classifieds here and elsewhere it appears a transitional model might be a bit more affordable than a 5513. I think my main goal would be to find something with the original dial and hands. The bezel is less important to me. Box and papers don’t matter so much as service history.