Vintage Rolex Submariner 5513 Non-Serif Dial

Vintage Watch Condition Examination:

This Submariner is in overall great, honest condition. The case is in good condition with normal signs of wear. The fat font bezel insert is in great condition and has aged to an even and gorgeous dark grey color. The pip is a later replacement. The matte dial is in excellent condition with light patina and some light wear around the edge. The lume has aged to an even and striking yellow color. The hands have patina and the lume has aged to match the lume on the dial. The C&I bracelet is in great condition with normal signs of wear. 

Description: Vintage Rolex Submariner 5513

Rolex introduced ref. 5513 around 1962 and it was in production until 1989. It was one of the longest continually produced references from the brand. Rolex initially used glossy dials in this model and swapped to matte dials around 1966. When Rolex went to the matte dial they also put the depth rating as “200m = 66ft” and these are known as “meters first” in the collecting community. Eventually Rolex would swap the depth rating to feet first around the early 1970s and have continued this trend to the modern offerings. The watch we have here has a “feet first” depth rating. One theory on this change is that Rolex wanted to boost sales in the United States, but to our knowledge Rolex has not made any definitive statements on this shift. Rolex still uses the “feet first” for the depth rating today. Rolex made multiple variations of the “feet first” Subs and this one falls into the “non-serif” dial category. 

From the striking yellow lume to the perfectly faded “fat font” bezel this Sub has aged beautifully over the years.