THE ESSENTIALS
MAKE: ROLEX
MODEL: 5513
YEAR: 1968
BOX/PAPERS: YES/YES
CASE DIAMETER: 40mm
CASE MATERIAL: STAINLESS STEEL
BRACELET MATERIAL: STAINLESS STEEL
MOVEMENT: AUTOMATIC
For most of us who are vintage Rolex fan boys, owning a 5513 has always been a milestone in the collection journey. I (Tommy) remember the first time I owned one - a lovely meters first example similar to this, it did not leave the wrist for over a week. In fact, it followed me around many countries and even did a little trip underwater.
What's not to love? Starting in 1963 with pointed crown guard cases and beautiful gilt dials and hands, the model evolved through to 1988/1989 with white gold tritium markers and gloss dials. The 5513 reference left us with such a fun catalogue of different variants to study and research.
Gilt dial 5513s were produced for only a few short years before matte dial 5513s were introduced around 1967. In the early 1970s, Rolex made another notable change to the dials, switching from meters to feet as the first measurement of the depth rating. This change was likely driven by the growing market share in the United States, which uses imperial measurements.
The present example, from 1968, features a 'Meters First' matte dial. The dial is easily one of the prettiest we have seen - the tritium plots and hands have aged beautifully, acquiring a creamy hue. While the case has been polished in the past, it remains crisp and well-defined. The original MK3 insert has faded to a stunning grey/blue hue. It is paired with the original folded-link 7836/380 bracelet. The clasp was replaced during an early service and bears an '81' code.
To complete the package, the watch includes its original outer box, inner box, anchor, original guarantee, and receipt. Remarkably, this watch waited patiently in a shop window in Leeds for over five years before its original owner purchased it in 1973 for an impressive £95. The movement remains strong, running at +3 s/d, with an amplitude of 254 and a beat error of 0.7 ms.
It's hard to beat an honest 5513. For reasons unbehonest to us, they can be had for fantastic prices at the moment.