Rolex 5513 Matte Dial

Pre-Owned Watch Condition Examination:

This Submariner is in great vintage condition with wear consistent with age. The case is in good condition with normal signs of wear. The bezel has remained sharp and the insert is in great condition with light wear. The pip at 12 is a later replacement. The bezel has aged to a gorgeous gun-metal grey color that can pick up shades of blue in certain lights. The Mark III Lollipop matte black dial is in overall excellent condition with light patina. The lume on the hour markers have developed patina and aged to a striking sandy color. The hands have developed patina and the lume in the hands have aged to a lovely caramel color which is a bit darker than the lume on the dial; this is not uncommon. The bracelet is in great condition with normal signs of wear and light stretch between the links. 

Description: Rolex Vintage Submariner 5513

Pre-Owned Rolex Submariner ref 5513 (Circa 1978) was one of the longest continually produced references from the brand. Rolex initially used glossy dials in this model and swapped to matte around 1966. Rolex made many variations of the matte dial and this circa 1978 example has a “Maxi” dial. Rolex made these “Maxi” dials from around 1978 to 1984. “Maxi” refers to the lume plots being larger than the ones on previous 5513s.

In the Maxi dial realm collectors have identified 5 different Maxi dial variations and this watch has the “Mark III” variety dubbed the “Lollipop.” The large lume plots appear to be touching the minute hash mark creating a “lollipop” hence the fun nickname. The Mark III tends to be a fan favorite and one of the most desirable Maxi variations due to the “lollipop” athestic. 

This example has aged beautifully from the perfectly aged bezel to the sandy colored lume, this watch really sings in the sunlight. If you have been looking for a Maxi dial Sub, this is worth considering!