Rolex Submariner 5513 'Meters First'

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While we love all vintage Submariners, there is one truly iconic vintage Sub to use: the ref. 5513. With its timeless toolwatch aesthetics, robust design, and impressive 27-year production run, it’s a bonafide Rolex legend.

This 5513 dates back to 1967 and features a ‘meters first’ dial, which refers to the depth rating that states the meters first followed by the equivalent in feet (“200m = 660ft”). In the second half of the 1960s, Rolex switched to printing the feet before the meters to satisfy the growing American customer base. As a result, these ‘meters first’ dials are coveted among collectors.

The matte black dial features the Submariner’s iconic painted tritium markers, which have turned into a beautiful greenish color over time. Unlike later Submariners (or its sister references, the 5512 and 1680), the 5513 features only two lines of text at the top half and two lines the lower half of the dial. This gives the 5513 a wonderful clean and understated look. Not too much, not too little: just perfect for a toolwatch.

The 40 mm stainless steel case is thick and sharp and is accompanied by a period-correct stainless steel riveted Oyster bracelet with a nice ‘big logo’ clasp.First’ dial, which refers to the depth rating that states the meters first followed by the equivalent in feet (“200m = 660ft”). In the second half of the 1960s, Rolex switched to printing the feet before the meters to satisfy the growing American customer base. As a result, these ‘Meters First’ dials are coveted among collectors. The matte black dial features the Submariner’s iconic painted tritium markers, which have turned into a beautiful greenish color over time. Unlike later Submariners (or its sister references, the 5512 and 1680), the 5513 features only two lines of text at the top half and two lines at the lower half of the dial. This gives the 5513 a wonderful clean and understated look. Not too much, not too little: just perfect for a tool watch. The 40 mm stainless steel case is thick and sharp and is accompanied by a period-correct stainless steel riveted Oyster bracelet with a nice ‘big logo’ clasp.

Introduction

Rolex SubmarinerIn 1953, Rolex introduced one of the world’s first wrist watches geared specifically towards divers: the Submariner. Rolex had to confront a number of challenges when designing its first dive watch. The watch obviously had to withstand significant amounts of pressure and had to accurately measure time spent underwater, which the first Submariner achieved by featuring a 330ft/100m depth rating and a rotating diving bezel. It also had to be easily legible in conditions of reduced visibility yet aesthetically pleasing. Hence, the Sub’s iconic large luminous hour markers and Mercedes hands set against a contrasting black dial.The Submariner is the most iconic and desirable luxury watch of all time and has been adopted by luminaries such as Jacques Cousteau, Che Guevara, and none other than James Bond. Our favorite Bond, Sean Connery, wore a big crown Sub in the 1962 classic ‘Dr. No’. The watch was also featured in ‘Goldfinger’ and ‘Thunderball’. Ref. 5513The 5513 is the longest-running Submariner reference, having been in production for a whopping 27 years (from 1962-1989). The rare pointed crown guards made their first appearance with this model and were later replaced by the rounded crown guards. The 5513 uses the caliber 1530 movement (and starting in the mid-1960s the slightly upgraded caliber 1520, which is not chronometer certified, and therefore has a dial that bears 2 lines of text (as opposed to the 4-line chronometer dials on the ref. 5512). Early executions of the 5513 featured the rare ‘meters first dial,’ because the depth rating in meters was printed before the rating in feet (“200m = 660ft). Around 1969, Rolex switched to printing the feet before the meters to satisfy the growing American customer base.

Specifications

Shipping

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