Manufacturer: Rolex Year: Circa 1977 Reference No: 5513 Case No: 5’479’413, repeated inside caseback "5513" Model Name: Submariner Material: Stainless steel Calibre: Automatic, cal. 1520, 26 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Stainless steel Rolex Oyster bracelet stamped “93150”, endlinks stamped “580”, max length 180mm Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Rolex Oyster deployant clasp stamped “VC” Dimensions: 40mm diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement, bracelet and clasp signed Accessories: Accompanied by Rolex instruction manual, product literature, additional crystal, Rolex Oyster anchor, fitted presentation box and outer packaging.
Catalogue Essay
The present example is a ref. 5513, sporting a classic matte black “Maxi I” dial. Emerged between 1977 to 1978, it corresponds to cases produced in the early 5 million serials to early 6 million serials. Defined by a matte surface with a “SUBMARINER” designation below the depth rating, the dial is further complimented by large tritium hour plots that avoid touching the minute markers. Other desirable characteristics collectors look for on a Mark I dial include its tapered coronet with a slender bottom, the streamlined appearance of the “=” above the “A” in Submariner, along with the distinct ‘zigzag’ “S” which resembles a mirrored “Z” in Submariner. The dial on this ref. 5513 is well-preserved in excellent condition with no significant flaws, complemented by tritium indexes that have developed a lovely warm patina. The 40mm case has also been well looked after, and its lugs remain thick and bevelled.
Combining the winning factors of its rarity and condition, the present ref. 5513 is a highly collectable piece that will be a fantastic addition for any discerning collector of vintage Rolex watches.
Founded in 1905 England by Hans Wilsdorf and Alfred Davis as Wilsdorf & Davis, it soon became known as the Rolex Watch Company in 1915, moving its headquarters to Geneva in 1919. Like no other company, the success of the wristwatch can be attributed to many of Rolex's innovations that made them one of the most respected and well-known of all luxury brands. These innovations include their famous "Oyster" case — the world's first water resistant and dustproof watch case, invented in 1926 — and their "Perpetual" — the first reliable self-winding movement for wristwatches launched in 1933. They would form the foundation for Rolex's Datejust and Day-Date, respectively introduced in 1945 and 1956, but also importantly for their sports watches, such as the Explorer, Submariner and GMT-Master launched in the mid-1950s.
One of its most famous models is the Cosmograph Daytona. Launched in 1963, these chronographs are without any doubt amongst the most iconic and coveted of all collectible wristwatches. Other key collectible models include their most complicated vintage watches, including references 8171 and 6062 with triple calendar and moon phase, "Jean Claude Killy" triple date chronograph models and the Submariner, including early "big-crown" models and military-issued variants.