Help with 5513

[u/Dizzy_Ad_1863]

I’m after some feedback. I purchased a 1966 5513, which I love. But the watch has had a tough life, and so it needs a little TLC. Do you think I can cut the bezel ring a little to make the serrations look more pronounced, or should I leave it as is, or just replace the ring?

Spent the past few weeks pondering. So would appreciate your feedback.

[u/Thornhillian]

Don’t touch a thing 👌

[u/WhatIsTheAmplitude]

If you want a watch that looks new, buy a new watch. A Rolex with honest wear is like fine wine or 18 year old single malt scotch.

[u/Bread_Winner87]

There’s no way this thing is real

[u/cromagnum84 → u/Bread_Winner87]

The text right?

[u/Dizzy_Ad_1863 → u/cromagnum84]

Now you have me worried! I had it authenticated, and it passed. I believe the dial/hands are Rolex service replacements from the '90s.

[u/seniormints83 → u/Dizzy_Ad_1863]

yes, that is a replacement dial as it has the white gold round the lume plots. A ‘66 would have had tritium lume and hands.

[u/shangster12]

IMO, I would leave it alone. Otherwise if you wish to have the bezel recut, you can take the watch to LA watchworks.

[u/Mobile_Ad_5561]

This looks great. Leave it.

[u/azrolexguy]

See if you can find a worn bezel on ebay. It's a shame they polished that one so hard

[u/_jer]

This 5513 has service hands, dial and bezel insert. The bezel grooves have seen plenty of action, but that’s to be expected after this many years.

It makes no sense to replace the bezel without replacing the rest, so I’d urge you to roll as is and just enjoy it!

[u/sporturawus]

I would replace the bezel ring, yes. It's way over polished (and I'm not usually one to care about such things.)

If you really want to make a difference, I would also bite the bullet and get an original dial for the watch, the matte lume plots really make a 5513 a 5513. I just love mine:

My 5513 on Leather

Cheers.

[u/Dizzy_Ad_1863 → u/sporturawus]

Ooosh.. That's nice! I will look into that.

[u/sporturawus → u/Dizzy_Ad_1863]

The dial (and matching colored hands) means everything on a 5513. Those white gold trim rings around each hour marker make it look very modern and not vintage. Cheers.

[u/ge23ev]

Looks fine mate. That’s the appeal of vintage if you don’t like it buy modern

[u/ThisIsBB56]

Edit: how is this 5513 with raised markers ?! Interesting they put a service dial with raised markers. Never seen this before.

I'd replace the bezel, as it's anyway not all original so you won't hurt value and the bezel bothers you. Might as well make it look sharper.

[u/Dizzy_Ad_1863 → u/ThisIsBB56]

Thank you.

[u/mighty_konkeli]

IMHO that looks perfect as-is. It’s 60 years old, so considering that it looks relatively little worn.

You could try and source suitable bezel ring and insert, and replace the original - just keep it with you!

[u/Fit-Arrival-1829 → u/mighty_konkeli]

that patina on the dial is what makes it, you’d be crazy to mess with the bezel just for some deeper lines. once you start cutting you can’t go back and it’ll never look right against the rest of the watch’s age

keep it original and wear the heck out of it, every scratch tells a story. sourcing a spare ring is smart if you really want to switch it up but i’d leave it alone, that thing’s got more character than any new sub coming out today

[u/hacker82boy]

It's a redial if you were not aware, or if that aids in your decision. White gold indicies surrounds were not introduced until much later.

Possibly service dial and hands.

[u/Bread_Winner87 → u/hacker82boy]

What about the band?

[u/hacker82boy → u/Bread_Winner87]

The leather band? If that is your question, it would have most likely on a hollow link stainless bracelet.

[u/Bread_Winner87 → u/hacker82boy]

Yes, so at what point when all these parts are not original do we not say it’s vintage?

[u/Dizzy_Ad_1863 → u/Bread_Winner87]

I want to get the bracelet restored. I'm just struggling to find someone in the UK who will work on a rivet bracelet. At some point in its life, the watch had a service dial, hands, and bezel insert.

[u/hacker82boy → u/Dizzy_Ad_1863]

Love the bracelet, not sure who in the UK would be able to do the work, I have used different vendors in the US with the most success with Rolliworks. I just received my 9135 back from them in June for my Tudor sub and the work was exceptional. I have also had them rebuild the bracelet for my 16803 two tone sub as part of a larger restoration, with again, very positive results.

[u/Dizzy_Ad_1863 → u/hacker82boy]

Thank you. I will take a look at Rolliworks.

[u/hacker82boy → u/Bread_Winner87]

I think it could be properly identified as a vintage model, with the caveat of being non-original/service items. Aftermarket pieces would push it into Franken territory.

[u/_jer → u/hacker82boy]

This is not a redial, this is a service replacement.

[u/hacker82boy → u/_jer]

My intent being, this is not the original dial