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Rolex Submariner 5513
- Make
- Rolex
- Reference
- 5513
- Model
- Submariner
1. General Overview
- Model: Rolex Submariner Ref. 5513
- Production: 1962 – 1989
- Movement:
- Cal. 1530 (non-chronometer, non-hacking, early)
- Cal. 1520 (hacking from ~1972)
- Case: 40 mm stainless steel Oyster, identical dimensions to 5512 but non-COSC.
- Depth rating: 200 m = 660 ft
- Purpose: Professional diver, non-chronometer, tool-watch configuration.
2. Serial Number Ranges (Approx.)
| Year | Serial Range | Dial Type |
|---|---|---|
| 1962 – 1966 | 760k – 1.5 M | Gilt chapter-ring “meters first” |
| 1966 – 1969 | 1.5 – 2.2 M | Gilt open printing, meters first |
| 1969 – 1971 | 2.2 – 2.6 M | Matte transitional, meters first |
| 1972 – 1976 | 2.6 – 4.0 M | Matte “feet first” |
| 1976 – 1984 | 4.0 – 8.0 M | Later matte “feet first,” Maxi dials (Mk I–V) |
| 1984 – 1989 | 8.0 – 9.9 M | Gloss + white-gold surrounds (“gloss WG” dial) |
3. Dial Generations (Non-co-branded)
| Era | Mark | Traits |
|---|---|---|
| 1962–63 | Gilt Chapter-Ring | Gold text, meters first (200 m = 660 ft) |
| 1964–66 | Gilt Open | No chapter ring, glossy finish |
| 1967–69 | Matte Meters First | White print; transitional |
| 1970–72 | Matte Feet First Mk I–II | Standardized layout |
| 1973–79 | Matte Feet First Mk III–V (“Maxi”) | Larger plots, heavier fonts |
| 1984–89 | Gloss WG Surround | Luminova tritium (“SWISS-T < 25”) |
4. Co-Branded & Special-Issue Dials
| Co-Brand | Period | Characteristics | Notes / Rarity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tiffany & Co. | ~1970 – early 1980s | Small “Tiffany & Co.” printed in black below “Submariner” or above depth rating; applied by Tiffany’s NY store. | Authentic examples exceedingly scarce. Printing sits above lacquer; Rolex service dials never bear it. |
| Cartier | Late 1970s | “Cartier” under “Submariner” or above “Swiss-T < 25.” Seen on a few 5513 and 1680. | Extremely few verified; sold through Cartier NY & Paris. |
| COMEX | 1971 – mid-1980s | “COMEX” white logo under center pinion; issued to Compagnie Maritime d’Expertises divers. | 5513 COMEX used up to ~1973 before switch to 5514. Serial numbers documented by COMEX archives (e.g., ~2.9 M–3.2 M). |
| British Royal Navy (MilSub) | 1972 – 1979 | Modified 5513 with sword hands, fully graduated 60-min bezel, fixed bars, circled “T” dial. | MoD issue; ref. sometimes stamped 0552 or W10. |
| Serpico y Laino | 1960s | Dealer signature above “Swiss.” | Sold through Venezuelan retailer; gilt dials. |
| Asprey / Bucherer / Linz | Occasional | Regional retailer signatures. | Seen sporadically on early gilt 5513s. |
5. Case Components and Part Numbers
| Component | Part No. | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Middle case | 5513 | Standard 40 mm Sub case. |
| Caseback | 5513 (inside) | Stamped quarter/year. |
| Crown tube | 24-7020 | Twinlock. |
| Crown | 24-702 (orig) → 24-703 (Triplock service) | Interchangeable. |
| Caseback gasket | 29-325 | Standard. |
| Clamps & screws | 31-2080 / 31-2090 | Movement retainers. |
6. Crystal, Bezel, and Insert
| Component | Reference | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Crystal | 25-19 (Tropic 19) | Domed acrylic, no cyclops. |
| Gasket | 29-116 | Tension ring. |
| Bezel assembly | 82-5513 | Friction type. |
| Bezel insert | Fat-Font Mk 2–3 (silver print) → Mk 4–5 (thin font) | Fat-font through mid-70s; thin after. |
| Bezel spring | 68-5513 | Standard. |
7. Bracelet and Endlinks
| Bracelet | Period | Endlinks | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7206 Rivet | 1960s | 80 | Early gilt models. |
| 9315 Folded | 1969–75 | 280 | Correct for early-70s. |
| 93150 Solid | 1976 onward | 580 | Common service replacement. |
| 93160 Flip-lock | Late 1980s | 580 | Factory for last gloss-dial examples. |
8. Movement Details
| Caliber | Beat Rate | Hacking | Years | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1530 | 19,800 A/h | No | 1962–65 | No quick-set; adjusted 2 positions. |
| 1520 | 19,800 A/h | Yes (after ~1972) | 1965–89 | Non-chronometer, robust, free-sprung balance. |
9. Component Sourcing Table
| Component | OEM Part No. | Availability | Trusted Sources |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tropic 19 crystal | 25-19 | NOS moderate | Cousins UK, Ofrei, Rolex-certified watchmaker |
| Crown 24-702 / 703 | 24-702 / 703 | Available | Cousins UK, ChronoShop IT |
| Tube 24-7020 | 24-7020 | Available | Cousins UK |
| Caseback gasket 29-325 | 29-325 | Available | Cousins UK |
| Bezel insert (fat-font) | n/a | Scarce | HQ Milton, Bob’s Watches, Craft & Tailored |
| Dial (matte 5513) | n/a | Low | Vintage Rolex Forum, Tropicalwatch.com, Phillips |
| Hands (tritium) | n/a | Low | VRF, 10PastTen |
| Bracelet 9315/280 | 9315-280 | Medium-Low | Craft & Tailored, HQ Milton |
| Movement parts Cal. 1520/1530 | various | Medium | Cousins UK, Ofrei |
10. Scarcity & Counterfeit Risk Matrix
| Component | Availability | Counterfeit Risk | Collector Impact | Priority |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Co-branded Dial (Tiffany, Cartier, COMEX) | Extremely Low | Extreme | Critical | 1 |
| Standard Matte Dial | Low | High | Critical | 2 |
| Gilt Dial | Very Low | Very High | Critical | 2 |
| Bezel Insert (Fat-Font) | Low | High | High | 3 |
| 9315 Bracelet/280 | Medium-Low | Medium | High | 3 |
| Hands (Tritium) | Low | Medium | High | 4 |
| Tropic 19 Crystal | Medium | Low | Moderate | 5 |
| Crown/Tube | Medium | Low | Low | 5 |
11. Authentication Cues for Co-Branded Dials
| Brand | Verification Points |
|---|---|
| Tiffany & Co. | Logo printed after Rolex text, above lacquer; black ink tone slightly glossier; spacing identical to 1680 Tiffanys. |
| Cartier | Fine serifed font; precise alignment with “Submariner”; found on a handful of late-’70s matte dials. |
| COMEX | Must match COMEX case-back engraving and serial per official COMEX register (5513 COMEX nos. in ~2.9–3.2 M range). |
| MilSub | Fixed bars, T-circle dial, sword hands, MOD engravings. |
| Serpico y Laino / Asprey | Printed above “Swiss,” gilt period only. |
12. Restoration Priorities
- Secure and authenticate dial first; co-branded originals are irreplaceable.
- Match tritium hue between dial and hands.
- Preserve chamfers and brushing; avoid over-polish.
- Retain original insert and crystal if serviceable.
- Document provenance rigorously for any co-signed or issued example.
5513 COMEX
General Overview
- Introduction & Context: The Submariner Ref. 5513 was introduced in 1962 as a no-date professional dive watch. In the early 1970s, Rolex supplied a limited number to COMEX (Compagnie Maritime d’Expertises) for deep-sea testing.
- Production Period: Civilian 5513 ran 1962–1989; COMEX-issued examples circa 1970–1977.
- Movement: Calibre 1520 or 1530 (non-chronometer)
- Case: 40 mm stainless steel, acrylic crystal, 200 m WR; some COMEX examples modified with a helium escape valve (HEV).
- Bezel: Black aluminium insert, 60-minute scale, bidirectional early / unidirectional later.
- Bracelet: Oyster steel bracelet, references 7206/9315.
- Significance: Represents Rolex’s direct collaboration with professional saturation divers. The first Submariners ever fitted with a helium escape valve.
Serial Numbers / Production Eras
| Serial Range | Years | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| ~2.3M–3.9M | 1970–1977 | Period for COMEX-issue 5513s; earliest HEV test units appear within this range. |
- Quantities extremely low. Many watches destroyed or retired by COMEX.
External Components Breakdown
| Component | Specification | Authenticity Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Case | Standard 5513 Oyster case, some with HEV drilled at 9 o’clock | Confirm valve position and finish; aftermarket modifications common. |
| Caseback | Engraved “ROLEX COMEX” + issue number | Font, depth, and spacing must match known originals. |
| Crystal | Acrylic (T-19) | Sapphire replacements non-original. |
| Bezel | Aluminium black insert | Verify font, wear consistent with age. |
| Bracelet | Oyster 7206/9315 | Check period clasp stamps; later 93150 replacements reduce originality. |
Dial Variations
| Dial Type | Description | Lume |
|---|---|---|
| COMEX logo matte | Black matte dial with “COMEX” print above 6 o’clock | Radium early, tritium later |
| Non-logo COMEX | Standard dial; only caseback engraved “COMEX” | Tritium |
- COMEX logo font, size, and placement are key authenticity markers.
- Service dials (gloss) post-1980 are non-original.
Bezel / Insert Variants
- Standard black insert, serif font for 1970s period.
- Faded or “ghost” inserts accepted if patina consistent.
- No COMEX-specific insert design.
Hands, Movement & Technical Features
- Hands: Mercedes hour, pencil minute, lollipop or plain seconds.
- Movement: Calibre 1520/1530, 17–20 jewels, 19,800–21,600 vph, 42 h power reserve.
- HEV: Some units factory-fitted helium escape valve, precursor to the Sea-Dweller.
- Hacking seconds introduced in late production.
Part Numbers
- Movement: 1520 / 1530 (Rolex in-house)
- Case & Bracelet: Standard 5513 references; COMEX engraving adds issuance identifier only.
Authentication & Restoration Checklist
- Verify COMEX caseback engraving style and issue number alignment with serial range.
- Confirm dial print quality and correct tritium tone.
- Inspect HEV presence and machining—original valves have factory finish and gasket seat.
- Cross-check bracelet code (year/clasp) with production year.
- Avoid heavy polishing; retain lug bevels and case geometry.
- Service interval: every 4–6 years with pressure test.
Common Red Flags
- Aftermarket COMEX dials or casebacks.
- Standard 5513 retrofitted with non-original HEV.
- Over-polished or re-engraved cases.
Summary
The Rolex Submariner 5513 COMEX is among the most historically important dive watches, bridging early Submariner design and the development of the Sea-Dweller. Genuine examples—especially HEV-equipped units with verified COMEX provenance—are exceedingly rare. Original engravings, period-correct tritium matte dials, and intact case geometry are essential to authenticity and collector value.