Question: Correct dial for 1983 5513

[Supreme18]

Hi all

First post as looking to secure my first Rolex. I’m in love with a No date Sub with patina and unlike most prefer the dial with the WG surrounds on the hour markers

Found a good condition one for sale. However it’s dated 1983. Was about to pull the trigger but realised the WG surround hour marker version didn’t come out until 1984? Or perhaps I’m wrong and there was some maxi dials in 83 and WG dials in 83 too. The seller has stated it’s all original items and I’ve asked for clarification from them on this but any advice on here would be great

My feeling is this may be a replacement dial. If so might be best for me to keep looking for an original 5513 sub from the late 80’s with the WG surrounds

[Juhuatai]

I am pretty sure late 83 is when they were first introduced. If it says swiss on bottom then it's a service dial.

[Supreme18]

Originally Posted by Juhuatai

I am pretty sure late 83 is when they were first introduced. If it says swiss on bottom then it's a service dial.

I can’t post links apparently as don’t have 10 posts but they’ve shared a link to Italian website that says the WG dial started production in 1982.

The dial is the usual WG surrounds dial with Swiss- t <25 at the bottom

[1watch]

My 5513 has a matte maxi Mk4and it’s dated in ‘82. I don’t know the exact year of the gloss with white gold, but would bet it’s closer to ‘84, since there was a maxi Mk5 dial variant.


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[Tools]

Rolex didn't start/stop anything by calendar year, and there is always carryover with minor changes.

[Rado63]

Sounds like you specifically want '84 - '89 5513. On this piece you mentioned, Did you check the serial number? Is it in the range for a 1983 or 1984? The WG surrounds started roughly in '84 I am not an expert on the dates or serial numbers that specifically started with WG surrounds but the dial should read T<25 as you noted. If in fact 1984 is the start date for the WG surrounds, then Serial 8,338,xxx and above is supposedly 1984. If it has WG surrounds and an '83 serial, then I don't know where to turn. Look in the many references of vintage watch dealers known to the forums and start making calls and asking questions. These watches are definitely out there, finding the perfect one that suits you is all the fun.

[Supreme18]

Originally Posted by Rado63

Sounds like you specifically want '84 - '89 5513. On this piece you mentioned, Did you check the serial number? Is it in the range for a 1983 or 1984? The WG surrounds started roughly in '84 I am not an expert on the dates or serial numbers that specifically started with WG surrounds but the dial should read T<25 as you noted. If in fact 1984 is the start date for the WG surrounds, then Serial 8,338,xxx and above is supposedly 1984. If it has WG surrounds and an '83 serial, then I don't know where to turn. Look in the many references of vintage watch dealers known to the forums and start making calls and asking questions. These watches are definitely out there, finding the perfect one that suits you is all the fun.

Will ask for serial number (online purchase). The dial has the open 6’s which is an early dial. My feeling as it also has the correct domed glass that this is a very early WG surrounds that perhaps was produced late 83. They’ve shared a reputable website that people have referenced on this website before that says you can get 1983 5513s with WG surrounds