Rolex Submariner 5513

Rolex Submariner 5513, Gloss dial/WGS, 1986

Yes.. I’ve officially joined the ‘Dark Side’, as the Heueristas call it! Allow me to explain myself..
I’ve never really been a big Rolex fan, mainly because the things are so damn expensive. I’m not saying I don’t think they are superb watches.. but they are mighty pricey for a dive watch. I suppose I’ve been spoiled for choice being a Heuer nut.. not long ago you could pick up a Heuer diver for relatively little outlay – even an automatic variant.

For a while now I’ve fancied getting a Sub (or a Snowflake), something that was old school, but not too old, as I want something actually usable – that can take knocks and not worry about water tightness. A few months ago I snapped up a 16800 with a matt dial, as it was a decent price. I tried to bond with it.. but I’ll be honest.. I really didn’t get on with it. I would go as far to say, I hated it – maybe I expected more.. whatever reason it wasn’t for me. I moved it swiftly on to a friend who fancied it and I was glad to see the back of it. Then a fellow Heuer fan (Peter) posted a pic of his newly acquired gloss dial 5513 with white gold surrounds (WGS) on the hour plots, and I thought it looked great. So, a few beers and an internet hunt led me to well known Rolex good-guy Jacek at HQ Milton.. a few emails later and it was mine. a short delay followed while it was at serviced by HQ Miltons watchmaker and I’ll be honest.. I was having a serious case of buyers regret, but a deals a deal, so I paid up. Fast forward several weeks and freshly back from a full service, it arrived yesterday.

I was blown away when I freed it from it’s bubble wrap.. it is stunning, a world away from that 16800 I disliked so much. It really is sublime. I know the Rolex aficionados hanker after the non-WGS matt dial models.. not me.. I think this is one of the nicest – I’m not drawn in by the rarity factor of the sought after double reds etc – I think this one is just right for me.

It’s an ’86 model, serial 974xxxx with a 1520 hacking movement. The bracelet is a 93150 with 580 endlinks. The lume is just turning a light cream, the clean design of the no-date deep black gloss dial is stunning, and as much as I tried in the photos, there is the very faintest of a spider webbing when viewed at just the right angle.. it looks like a faint elevation map of a group of islands, 99.9% of the time it’s not visible. I love the way the whole dial and the WGS and hnds catch the light.. and that plexi – it is simply stunning. I tried it on a dark grey NATO.. and it looks great.. I also tried it on one of my Heuerville straps – I know, leather on a sub is ‘wrong’, but I like it!!!

So, here it is.. a 5513.. my perfect Sub.. that plexi, that clean no-date gloss dial.. I think it’s gonna hang around longer than the 16800.

Also, thanks to the boys over at HQ Milton for a smooth deal.

With some of it’s stable mates.. TAG Heuer Spirotechnique and  Heuer 844 Monnin..

Rolex Submariner 1680

Rolex Submariner 1680, Cal. 1575 COSC, Date with open numbers & flat 3.
1978 – 5.4mil Serial. (with Superdome crystal)

Normally I do a little write up on the history of a particular model, but this watch needs little introduction, and there is nothing I can add to the plethora of information out there. Here is a quote from VintageSubmariner.com..

“In 1965, Rolex introduced the caliber 1565, which was both C.O.S.C. certified and had a date display. In 1971, Rolex iterated the caliber to include hacking (meaning the seconds hand stops when the crown is pulled out for time setting). The 1565 caliber lead to a new model series, the 168X series. Reference 1680 was introduced in 1965 or 1966 and had the chronometer status and a date display. This also introduced the Cyclops date magnifier to the Submariner line.”
www.vintagesubmariner.com/vintagesubs.html

I bought my first Rolex a year or so back, a 16800 and I didn’t get on with it. I think it was because I had this huge expectation of something astonishing.. and it turned out to be ‘just a divers watch’. I was disappointed, so sold it on.

The itch didn’t go away, so I bought an ‘86 5513.. this I instantly liked. The acrylic non-cyclops crystal made such a difference, combined with no huge expectation. It grew on me quickly. Fast-forward 6 months and I sold it.. a combination of me trying to reduce the collection and the need for a new MacBook. C’est la vie.

Months later I regretted it, and started hunting a maxi dial 5513, but the 1665 Sea-Dweller caught my eye – the non-cyclops crystal with date greatly appealed. One problem, the price. I didn’t want to splash that much on a divers watch. During my hunt, I’d spotted a few 1680’s fitted with plain crystals, and that seemed like an ideal solution.  I know the purists may grimace at such a thing, but the idea didn’t bother me – Rolex deemed the Sea Dweller OK to not have it, so why not!

I read an article recently on ‘ablogtowatch’ about the history of the Sub.. and one fact that really stood out was that the founder , Wildorf, wanted to produce a good quality watch that could be worn by many. This really struck a chord with me.. it wasn’t a super high end watch, but was designed and built as a good quality tool watch – average cost about 2 weeks pay. This makes me love my Sub even more.. it’s not a status symbol, glittery or conspicuous, it’s a tool watch. It’s tough, will do a job, and it carries a certain history with it. It’s the perfect size, weight and supremely comfortable. I have to admit to storing the folded link bracelet.. if I’m honest – it sucks, and I didn’t want to tear it apart to size it. So, I’ve fitted an aftermarket bracelet (gasp!). I’m still not sold on the cyclops, but I have to admit, whilst I wore it before getting the crystal changed, it really grew on me.. but with a superdome crystal fitted.. for me, it’s bang on the money.

Tudor Submariner 9401/0 Snowflake

Tudor Submariner 9401/0 ‘Snowflake’, 1976

Unfortunately this lovely thing isn’t mine, it was on loan from fellow Heuerista, Paul Gavin aka Heuerworld.com. Paul kindly sent it over to Heuerville towers after a conversation about whether I should hunt one down or go the Rolex Sub route.. more on that in a later post.

This particular no-date example is absolutely stunning.. it’s not totally out-the-box-mint, but in very fine fettle with just the right amount of fading to the bezel and the most sumptuous coffee-creamy patina on the lume. It’s seen here on an aftermarket riveted bracelet, which suits it perfectly. It’s dated to 1976 with serial 84xxxx.

I’ll own up to not knowing a lot about these, all I know is that they are very beautiful to handle. Please correct me if I’m wrong, but I think it shares the same case from a Rolex Sub, I don’t know which model.. I’d hazard a guess at the 5513? The movement is a Cal. 2776 movement, it’s ETA based and modified by Tudor.

As I understand it, the blue dial came about as the black dial had paint issues, moisture could create a defect on the black dial versions that were issued to the French Navy – Marine Nationale, so blue was introduced. I’ve no idea why blue would be better, or the ins and outs, but that’s what I’ve read – could be wrong. These Tudors used to play second fiddle to the Rolex, but in the last few years they have really come into their own, and a good example can easily match or exceed the cost of an equivalent Rolex Sub.. and you can see why, they are quite special.

There is an excellent full blown write-up here…
www.vintagehour.com/2011/10/snowflake-tudor-submariner-icon/

More useful info can be found here:
tudorcollectorsite.blogspot.co.uk/p/submariner-model-94010-94110.html
sweepinghand.co.uk/useful-info/tudor-serial-numbers/

Stupidly, I only took one photo of the Snowflake before sending it back. Doh!

► WATCH GALLERY INDEX

 

Heuer Diver 980.004 (BCR)	TAG Heuer Super Pro 840.006-2	Heuer Chronograph – Ref. 12
Heuer Diver 980.021 Two-tone	Heuer Night Diver 980.032L	Heuer Diver 980.026 Black PVD
TAG Heuer Diver 980.013N	Heuer Diver 982.106 Pewter PVD	Heuer Diver 984.424 Dual Time
Heuer Diver 980.023 Deep Dive 1000m	Heuer Autavia 45 Ref. 3646M	Heuer 510.501 – Lemania 5100
Heuer Diver 980.004 (with minute markings)	Leonidas Flieger Chronographe Val. 22	Heuer Ref. 3249 Up-Down Chronograph
Silverstone Fume 110.313F	TAG Heuer Super Pro 840.006	Heuer Monza 150.501 PVD Cal. 15
Autavia 1163MH Orange Boy / Gulf	Heuer Camaro 73443 NT 30 Dato	Autavia 11630 MH Silver Dial
Heuer Diver 980.007 Orange Dial	Heuer Autavia 11630 GMT	Galco Skin Diver 5ATM Swiss
Ed. Heuer & Cie. Moonphase 188.505	Halios Bluering 73/100 Brushed 300m	Heuer Pocket Chrono Ref. 701/Dec
Heuer 3000 Chronograph 234.006	Heuer Ladies Diver 980.038/17 200m	Heuer Ref. 12 Small Shield
Autavia 11063 MH + Decomp bezel	TAG Heuer Autavia -Siffert-	TAG Heuer 844/5 Auto Diver
Carrera 110.573B (Blue) Côtes de Genève	Autavia 1163v Viceroy Racing Team	Heuer Montreal 110.503NC
Heuer Diver 982.013 PVD Pewter	Heuer Night Diver 980.031L PVD Bond	Autavia 11630 MH Black/Orange
Heuer Diver 844/3 Automatic	Heuer Diver 980.006L 1000 Series	Heuer Diver 980.006 (Norwegian)
Heuer Diver 980.006 (Rhode Island)	Pasadena 750.501 (No Name Dial)	Heuer Autavia 11630 GMT
Heuer Skipper 15640 (3rd Gen)	Heuer Diver 973.006 2000 Series	Heuer 972.008 Ladies 2000 Series
Heuer 980.032 Night Diver	Heuer 1614 Chrono (French Made)	Heuer Pilot 230.006 (Silver Dial)
TAG Heuer 273.306 2000 Series	Heuer 989.113L Night Diver	TAG Heuer 273.006-1 2000 Series
Heuer AMI 1000 Series 510.543	Heuer 982.113 Night Diver	Heuer 981.113 Night Diver -Military-
Silverstone Blue 110.313B	Heuer 844 Monnin Automatic Diver	TAG Heuer 172.006 Automatic 2000 Series
Heuer 272.006-1 2000 Series	Heuer Diver 982.006 -Great Grey-	Heuer Autavia GMT 11063
Silverstone Bordeaux 110.313R	JAC Chronograph 7750 (Cuanillon & Cie)	Heuer Autavia 30. Ref. 7763C MH
Heuer Autavia 2446C GMT Mk3	TAG Heuer 980.023N Deep Dive 1000m	Heuer Autavia 11630 Tachy Black/White
Heuer Diver 983.015 Black Coral	Heuer Diver 980.021 Two Tone	Heuer Carrera 510.511 PVD Lemania 5100
Breitling Chrono Avenger Titanium	Heuer Montreal 750.503N Convex Case	Certina DS2 PH200 Turtle Back
Hanhart 417ES Flyback Flieger McQueen	Heuer Autavia 1163T Siffert	TAG Heuer Spirotechnique 180.023
Heuer Orange Diver 980.005 Auto	Heuer Diver 935.112 Ladies Trans. Phantom	Heuer Diver 980.028 Ladies Black Coral II
Heuer Titanium Series 820.208 Ladies	Heuer Autavia 11630T Bianco	Heuer Diver 980.021 Black Bay (Custom)
Heuer Night Diver 980.032L 1000 Series	Heuer Diver 973.008 Ladies 2000 Series	Heuer Skipper 15640 2nd Gen
Omega Speedmaster Pro Moon 3570.50	Felca Seascoper Super Compressor	Heuer Titanium Series 220.206
Heuer Monaco 1133G (Sunken Black Subs)	Heuer 3000 Chronograph 232.206	Breitling SuperOcean Heritage 46
Omega Speedmaster Pro Mitsukoshi Domino	Heuer Carrera 3647NT Valjoux 92	Heuer Carrera 3648S Valjoux 92 1964-5
Heuer Autavia 2446 H Rindt	Heuer 510.501 Kenyan 82 Air Force ’82AF’ Military Issued	Tudor Submariner 9401/0 Snowflake
Rolex Submariner 5513 Gloss dial 1986	Heuer Autavia 2446C Tachy 1971-2	Heuer Audi Sport 510.533 Lemania 5100
Autavia 15630 MH Hellenic	Heuer Autavia 11630P Diver Decomp Tropic	Heuer Monaco 40th Anniversary McQueen
Autavia 11063 Alpha Orange Skunkworks	Movado Super Sea Sub Cal. 146	Heuer Diver LV Hulk 980.006 Custom
Heuer Autavia 2446C GMT Mk4	Heuer Autavia 2446C Tachy (Early)	Ollech & Wajs Caribbean 1000 Ref. 702
Fortis Marinemaster 8001 Blue c1972	Heuer Autavia 1563 Tachy (Albino)	Heuer Carrera 510.523 Lemania 5100
Omega Speedmaster Pro 145.022 1969	Heuer Diver Orange Mid Size 980.016	Wittnauer Ref. 7004A Chronograph
Bulova Marine Star 1970/80s	Rolex Submariner 1680 ’78 Superdome	Hamilton Pilots Chrono Military Issued
Heuer Regatta 134.601 Black PVD	Tudor Submariner 7016/0 1968 Snowflake	Fortis Stratoliner 571.10.142
Squale ‘1521’ Marina Militare 50 Atmos	Heuer Night Diver 980.032L Full Lume Dial	Blancpain Fifty Fathoms 3H Bund
Omega Seamaster 300 166.0324