5513 midcase vs 1680

[zkramez]

Hi,

I just inherited my grandfathers 5513. In the 2010s it was in a fire and he didn’t have the case replaced by Rolex. I guess back then the watch wasn’t worth what it is now.

Anyway… they put an aftermarket case on. It really bothers me. Shape is off.

I cannot find a 5513 case anywhere however I found a 1680 case for sale.

Is it the same case other than the markings?

[1675-David]

The watch was in a fire and the case was damaged beyond repair but everything else, the dial the hands and movement survived in good enough condition to be recased into an aftermarket case. Which in turn you inherited from your grandfather? This sounds like and intriguing watch, any pictures?

[Dom9]

1680 has a 26.5mm dial, so the 26mm dial of the 5513 might 'fall through' the dial seat? Maybe the 1570 movement is touch thicker than the 1520, due to the date wheel, so the movement sits in a slightly different position compared to the crown, but I wouldn't have thought a lot.

Also fascinated to see pictures!

[zkramez]

Originally Posted by 1675-David

The watch was in a fire and the case was damaged beyond repair but everything else, the dial the hands and movement survived in good enough condition to be recased into an aftermarket case. Which in turn you inherited from your grandfather? This sounds like and intriguing watch, any pictures?

Dial and hands were replaced as well. Most of the movement too.

Unfortunately I don’t have pictures :/. I was a kid when this happened. I only have the watch now. Looks like a hodgepodge unfortunately. Trying to make her worthy again.

[zkramez]

Originally Posted by Dom9

1680 has a 26.5mm dial, so the 26mm dial of the 5513 might 'fall through' the dial seat? Maybe the 1570 movement is touch thicker than the 1520, due to the date wheel, so the movement sits in a slightly different position compared to the crown, but I wouldn't have thought a lot.

Also fascinated to see pictures!

Ah dang! Won’t work then. I may have to buy a whole new watch and replace the parts I think will go then. Try to leave it as original as I can to remember my grandfather but also not do a bad job like the previous watch maker.



Dial and hands were replaced as well. Most of the movement too.

Unfortunately I don’t have pictures :/. I was a kid when this happened. I only have the watch now. Looks like a hodgepodge unfortunately. Trying to make her worthy again.

[Dan S]

Even if it would work, I wouldn't do it. If you're going to the trouble to restore it, you should be patient and use the right case. They are floating around, you just need to find the right people.

An alternative would be to see if Rolex would provide a service case if you sent it to them for restoration. Apparently, if you tell them a sentimental story about an heirloom, sometimes they will try to help out. They should even be able to identify the original case serial number using the number on the movement.

[Kingface66]

Just to be clear, there’s none of the original watch left, expect for maybe some of the movement? Is the bezel original? The case back?

[Tools]

An aftermarket case and only some of the original other parts???

This Rolex has ceased to be of much value except for family sentimentality. Do what you want with it, but a 1680 case isn't going to make it original again, nor will any other parts exchange.

[TuRo]

No offence OP, but what you have there is pretty much a "Triggers Broom" * !

* Trigger had been working for the Municipal Council for 25 years as a Road Sweeper.

He was proper proud that he still had his original broom from when he started....It had just had five new handles and two new heads !

Copywright to gag John Sullivam O.F. and H c/o BBC.

[0nly5iv3Digits]

^ Yep, agree with Larry here, OP. What a pity.

[zkramez]

Originally Posted by 0nly5iv3Digits

^ Yep, agree with Larry here, OP. What a pity.

Not really sure what that is but I’m just trying to make my grandfathers watch worth again.

If it upsets people that sucks for them. It’s a family heirloom. I don’t really care for others opinions. The only one that has to be happy with it is myself.

[Dan S]

OP, it seems to me you're the only one who knows what will make it "worthy" in your eyes. Personally I would not have thought that the wrong Rolex case would be better than an aftermarket case, but that just demonstrates that you need to walk this path by yourself.

Maybe you would be happy with a more accurate aftermarket case? They are available these days, and pretty cheap.

[Kingface66]

The watch cannot be made whole again. It cannot be what it was when it was made. No matter what you do/replace it will be no more original than the way it is now. Why not just keep it as is and accept that it’s still a family heirloom.

[alwayshere]

why don't you post some pics so we can help assess and provide some solution.

[one80]

If the dial, mid case, hands and “most of the movement” were damaged to the point too replacing the end surely the acrylic and insert were also??
That really doesn’t leave much original watch left at all…

If it’s sentimental, keep it as is, otherwise you’re almost looking at a completely different new watch.

[996marty]

Some photos might help your case. It does almost sound like it’s virtually all been switched out because of the accident which begs the question if it’s all virtually been replaced how can you have a sentimental connection?

[1675-David]

OP I would just cherish it for what it is and wear it to remember you Grandfather.

[Dom9]

There is a bare 5513 case on ebay (from Italy) at the moment... but I would tread carefully.

Suspect the aftermarket case could be Helenarou if the shape is off but it fits the 5513 internals. If it is, the crystal ring, bezel, insert, plexi, etc. won't fit an authentic Rolex case, so you'd need all those parts as well.

As you say; may be better buying a cheap complete watch, full of service parts (to keep costs down), perhaps in the right original serial/date range and swapping the complete internals (10min job for a watchmaker, as they don't have to remove the dial, hands, etc.) if that will make you happy :)

Pics when you can and I am sure we can confirm what you have and what you need :)

[zkramez]

Originally Posted by Dom9

There is a bare 5513 case on ebay (from Italy) at the moment... but I would tread carefully.

Suspect the aftermarket case could be Helenarou if the shape is off but it fits the 5513 internals. If it is, the crystal ring, bezel, insert, plexi, etc. won't fit an authentic Rolex case, so you'd need all those parts as well.

As you say; may be better buying a cheap complete watch, full of service parts (to keep costs down), perhaps in the right original serial/date range and swapping the complete internals (10min job for a watchmaker, as they don't have to remove the dial, hands, etc.) if that will make you happy :)

Pics when you can and I am sure we can confirm what you have and what you need :)

I think that is what I will do honestly. Thank you very much!

[alwayshere]

another no pics waste member's time thread... *Sigh*

[LugholeChris]

Rolex can get you a service case, if I am not mistaking. Would be the best route to go, to make sure you do not get scammed with a non-authentic case.

[TuRo]

Originally Posted by LugholeChris

Rolex can get you a service case, if I am not mistaking. Would be the best route to go, to make sure you do not get scammed with a non-authentic case.

They'll sell you a 4 million service case (with a full service/rebuild), only if you let them take in the old damaged one in. This obviously can't be done so no go unfortunately.

Op please rescue this Marie Celeste of a thread.....

[1675-David]

Originally Posted by TuRo

Op please rescue this Marie Celeste of a thread.....

TBH I still can't get my head around that the case was damaged beyond repair, a solid chunk of stainless steel. While other, supremely fragile and heat sensitive components (wafer thin metal discs, springs, plastic cogs, etc etc.) were salvageable. I would suggest that if the case is damaged beyond repair in a fire so is everything else.

The whole premiss of this thread has an air of mystery

[TimeLord2]

Dial, hands, case, presumably insert too. And I would assume a bit of commonly replaced at service acrylic would not survive a fire. And then several movement parts also replaced? You basically have a few movement parts left from the original watch. Leave it as is if it holds sentimental value as it would cost more to replace everything than purchasing another 5513. Besides that, it still is your grandfather's watch and he seemed OK with the retrofit.

You say you don't have pics but only have the watch now. Do you have a smart phone? You can use it to take pics. Then by using the "Go Advanced" button at the bottom of this page and using the paper clip you can attach photos once you size them correctly. or post them on a photo share site and link to it with a URL as you have more than enough posts to do either.

Perhaps I should read through this thread again but reading all the helpful comments in this post and the responses has been maddening. Clearly I'm not alone on that front. Good luck!