Rolex - The 2021 New York Watch Auction New York Saturday, December 11, 2021 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: 1966
    Reference No: 5513
    Case No: 1’478’096, inside case back stamped IV.66
    Model Name: Submariner "Meters First"
    Material: Stainless steel
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. 1520, 26 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Stainless steel Rolex Oyster bracelet, stamped 78360, end links stamped 558
    Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Rolex deployant clasp, stamped VC
    Dimensions: 40mm Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement, and bracelet signed.
    Accessories: Accompanied by Rolex guarantee stamped Fr. Martin, Stuttgart, and dated 30 September, 1968, green leather Rolex presentation box and anchor.

  • Catalogue Essay

    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 reference 5512. These two references remained in production for respectively 19 years (5512 was discontinued in 1978) and 27 years (5513 ended in 1989): the differences with the earlier iterations are enormous, indicating that finally Rolex achieved what they considered “perfection” for the model.

    An essential mid-20th century tool watch, this fine example is part of the earliest generation of reference 5513s fitted with a black matte dial. A transitional timepiece, the depth rating at 6 o’clock presents the meters rating first, which Rolex would later change to feet first for the vast majority of the references production. The watch is in very nice overall condition, and accompanied by its original guarantee and presentation box.

    The reference 5513 is a benchmark model, and the present, early timepiece is an impressive example. It is a worthy addition to a discerning collection featuring rare sports watches.

  • Artist Biography

    Rolex

    Swiss • 1905

    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.

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Ref. 5513
A fine stainless steel diver’s wristwatch with “meters first” dial, date, and bracelet, with guarantee and presentation box

1966
40mm Diameter
Case, dial, movement, and bracelet signed.

Estimate
$6,000 - 12,000 
CHF5,600-11,200
€5,300-10,700
HK$46,800-93,600

Sold for $25,200

Contact Specialist

Paul Boutros

Head of Watches, Americas

+1 (212) 940-1293

WatchesNY@Phillips.com

 

The 2021 New York Watch Auction

New York Auction 11 - 12 December 2021