The Rolex Submariner is one of the models most strongly associated with the brand, recognized by even the least watch-conscious individuals. Reference 5513 is the one that best epitomizes the Submariner line, as it can be considered a “final result” after the experimentations of the early Submariner models. The Submariner line was launched in Basel in 1954 with reference 6204. This is the first of a number of references which remained in production for a short time - some for just one year, others for as long as four years - indicating how the company was continuously working to update and improve on the new, very successful model. Finally, a consensus (at least about the case design) was reached in 1959 with reference 5512, followed in 1962 by the present reference 5513, the non-chronometric brethren of the 5512. These two references remained in production for respectively 19 years (5512 was discontinued in 1978) and 27 years (5513 ended in 1989): the difference with the earlier iteration is enormous, and it indicates that finally Rolex achieved what they considered “perfection” for the model.

While the case design remained unchanged throughout the lifetime of the model, the same cannot be said about the dial: most commonly, reference 5513 features a matte dial. The first examples, however, feature an immensely attractive glossy dial. This rare dial variant was in production until 1967 and it is perfectly exemplified by the present piece. The rarity of this configuration and its ties to early Rolex production (indeed the glossy dial is a characteristic of other pre-1967 Rolex models as well) represent only part of the appeal of this configuration. The astounding good looks of the glossy dial are equally important to explain the collectability of the model. When the glossy dial is well preserved - such as in this instance - its aesthetic impact is simply enormous. As the name suggests, Submariners had quite a few chances of coming in contact with water. While the Oyster case has superb water-resistance capabilities, that is not true if the owner forgets to properly screw down the crown, a more than common occurrence. A little humidity inside the case is sufficient to irremediably spoil the glossy finish of the dial, consequently it is a very rare occasion to find such a superbly preserved, fully original glossy dial.