A Concise History of the Rolex Submariner 5513

[caeden]

Hi all,

Just to share some history and chronology of my favourite Rolex model.


History of the Rolex Submariner 5513

1962 --- The Submariner 5513 was first released.

GILT
Between 1962 & 1966 ( 5xx,xxx - 1,4xx,xxx ) --- Dials were GILT and were metres first. "200m = 660ft"

Metres First
End 1966 ( 1,5xx,xxx ) --- Gilt dials were replaced with the Matte metres first dial, which continued till around 1969 ( 2,3xx,xxx). Some believe that it went all the way till 2,7xx,xxx...but this is doubtful & collectors shy away from anything above 2.3 million.

Feet First
During 1969, Rolex changed the dial to feet first. Rumour has it that it was due to the expanding USA market.

In 1972, Rolex replaced the Twin Lock with the Trip Lock.

Maxi Dials
In 1974 ( 3,7xx,xxx ) --- Rolex introduced the MAXI Dials - of which, there are 5 variants. The Mark V Maxi continued till mid 1984.

White Gold Gloss
In 1984 (8,5xx,xxx), Rolex replaced the last Matte Dial with the new Tritum gloss dial (White Gold Surrounds). These remained in place until 1989/1990 (L Series).

In 1989/1990, the 5513 was replaced with the 14060

Rolex Bracelets for the 5513

1962-1969 --- 6636 expanding rivet & 7206 non expanding rivet

1970-1972 --- 9315 Folded link

1972-1989 --- 93150 Solid link

NATO - Used on the Milsubs (first issued around 1965)


Please allow an error period of +6 months. But this is as close as I can pin point the chronological date & years.

Just to share...Hope this will be of help to those new to vintage.

[edimars]

Great info Ben!
Thanks for sharing

[augpat]

Wow this is great..I am still learning

Thanks Ben!

[wongcheok]

Superbly informative, thanks very much!!

[kany]

which type of maxi dials are the most collectible? (in decreasing order starting with the most collectible)

[caeden]

From what I know....

The MK 1 Maxi is the most desireable among collectors & commands the best price.

The rest all have equal standing...IMHO.

Cheers!

[truetime]

Maxi Dials
In 1974 ( 3,7xx,xxx ) --- Rolex introduced the MAXI Dials - of which, there are 5 variants. The Mark V Maxi continued till mid 1984.

Hello,

Brand new here.

Thanks for great sharing

However, what I know about the Maxi Mk1.....
The serial number is only mid 5 mill -- early 6 mill ???

Can you please correct my understanding?

Thanks

[caeden]

I will try to do the write up on the Maxis another time.

But MK 1 Maxi...spilled over from the Milsub and/or Comex dials.

It was more of a transitional dial, maybe made for about a year & a half or so. ( late 3million/early 4million to mid 5million Serials, circa 1975-78), the Type 1 Maxi is found not only on 5513s & 5512s, but also on a small number of RN MilSubs delivered in the late 1970s, with double reference 5513/5517s.

The lume plots are larger than on the previous generation of 5512/5513 dials, but the depth rating and SUBMARINER are also "bolder" and the fonts have changed as well.

During the brief run of the MK 1 dials, the depth rating remained on top of SUBMARINER, the last time Submariner dials would have this configuration.

As I pointed out before, dates are only precise to + 6 months.

Rolex had their replacement cases made starting 4.4 million, then continued with 4.7 million again.

Therefore, there is a gap of 600,000 serials in between 1976 & 1977.

Hope this helps, albeit being confusing....

[truetime]

Many thanks for a quick reply..... very informative indeed!!!
Great Mod. here, by the way
Looking forward for your next article on
the Maxi dials.....

Anyway, I am finding a nice 5513 Maxi Mk1... can you please
give me any idea on the current price for both with and without paper?

Thanks

[116520]

Thank you for sharing!!!

[caeden]

Many thanks for a quick reply..... very informative indeed!!!
Great Mod. here, by the way
Looking forward for your next article on
the Maxi dials.....

Anyway, I am finding a nice 5513 Maxi Mk1... can you please
give me any idea on the current price for both with and without paper?

Thanks

I can't put a magic number there, afterall...it is vintage...

Buyers would want the lowest price, sellers want the highest price...

It all boils down to Condition, completeness of the set, service history etc...

A MK 1 maxi....hmmm...between $6500 - $12000? It is a huge range, decided by the factors stated above. But there are not many left floating in the pre-own market, most have been snapped up and stashed away.

$6500 - 70% condition, no box, no papers, no service.

$12000 - 100% mint NOS full set... ( I would pay that price )

But most fall in between that extreme range...so I would say, expect to pay $7500 - $9000. ( a fairer estimate )

This estimates are based solely on my own thoughts & applies only to the MK 1 Maxi 5513.

Cheers!

[edimars]

Buddy Ben
again thanks for the consise write up!

[truetime]

Many thanks again
I 100% agree that it is all about the condition.

It seems in these days very hard to find a NICE example,
but HAPPY hunting

Have a good weekend everyone!

[joseph]

does the meters first only(not gilt) command a higher price than MK1 maxi?
is the range 5xx,xxx - 1,4xx,xx strictly for gilt dial only or there can be a mixture of gilt and non glit but still with meters first?
would greatly appreciated any help that is given=)

[sportee]

very informative indeed... thanks for the writeup...