The Rolex Submariner 5513 Joins The Collection

All watch enthusiasts have certain itches they need to scratch. I’m sure you know what I mean when you read an article with “collection” in its title. Whether we collect a brand, a complication, or whatever we like, there’s always a model topping the wishlist, making us say, “Well, I’d like to own one of those someday.” For me, that has always been a vintage Submariner. Last year, the itch was scratched when I finally put my hands on this beautiful Rolex Submariner 5513.

I usually don’t spend five figures on a watch — not even close. This was the single most expensive watch I’ve ever bought. I was reaching a milestone, though, so I thought, “If not now, when?”

An aspirational purchase?

The most common reason you hear when someone buys a Rolex is something like, “I got promoted,” “I started a new job,” or perhaps, “I just closed this crazy deal.” It often relates to an achievement in one’s professional life and the desire to reward oneself. My reason was somewhat similar but not necessarily connected to my job. See, the reason I’m in this industry has everything to do with my 30th birthday. Ten years ago, I was at a very different stage where I needed a change, a distraction. I reached out to Fratello, RJ took a gamble on me, and my very first article on Fratello came out two days after my 30th birthday. That move put me on a different trajectory that I wouldn’t have guessed in a million years and landed me where I am today.

Having spent a decade in this industry and with my 40th birthday closing in, my focus was turning to one model. Over the past 10 years, I’ve owned watches I could’ve only dreamed of in my 20s and early 30s. It was time to put my money where my mouth was, consolidate the collection, and buy something I needed. I knew a neo-vintage (14060) or a vintage Sub would eventually make it to my collection. I have a four-digit GMT-Master (1675), and there is no better companion to that than a four-digit Sub. The era, the design, and the models all spoke to me. So I did what most watch guys do: I sold a few watches, put some of my savings into the budget, and searched for the perfect vintage Sub…that I could afford.

Aesthetics

Being in the industry has many perks. One is that we constantly meet people with the most ridiculous collections. When attending the usual get-togethers and dinners during watch events, we get to try on nearly everything from a €15 Casio to a Patek 1463, which brings perspective. Whenever this question arises, I say that my three-watch collection consists of a Speedmaster, a Calatrava, and a Sub. I have the Speedy, and I am still working on the Calatrava. However, the second most obtainable piece was the Submariner. Regarding that, a vintage Sub beats everything in my book. I’m unsure when my preference switched from the 14060 to the 551x references, though. It may have been during my many discussions with Mike on the Fratello on Air podcast.

I landed on the Rolex Submariner 5512 or 5513. I will not go into the history of these iconic references; they have been covered immensely over the years. You just need to know that the 5513 is a simpler version of the 5512. It came out a few years later without a chronometer-certified movement and had a much simpler design than the 5512. And I loved all of it. Don’t get me wrong; the 5512 is a stellar watch I wouldn’t mind owning someday. A good friend owns one and lent it to me, so I enjoyed it for weeks. While I could not stop wearing the watch, I had my mind set on the 5513 — the matte dial, only two lines of text above 6 o’clock, and the fact it was less expensive than the 5512. Remember, I was on a budget, and depending on condition and age, these models can sell for high four figures and up.

Buy the seller

The vintage Rolex market is a minefield. If you don’t know everything about these watches, buying one is scary, to say the least. To begin with, the Submariner 5513 was in production from 1962 to 1989, resulting in tons of versions. This also means that prices go from €7K (late 1980s model) to €200,000–300,000 (late ’60s and early ’70s military Subs) according to a quick search on Chrono24. My 1675 is from 1967, and so are my 321 Speedy and 861 Transitional Speedmaster, so this era speaks to me. My ideal 5513 would come on its original bracelet, be in very good to excellent condition, and hail from the late 1960s or early 1970s. Even after filtering for these attributes, I was left with tons of choices. So I decided to do what you should do when in doubt: I picked a seller I trust.

Another perk of being in the industry is knowing the right people. You may encounter some crooks if you spend as much time in this as I have. Occasionally, however, you will meet truly knowledgeable, genuinely lovely people, including collectors, those working for brands or other media outlets, and dealers. The good news is that you, dear reader, also have the chance to interact with and eventually buy from these dealers. They are not reserved for industry people. I have known Eric Wind for many years now. Our acquaintance goes back to his Hodinkee days. Over the years, we kept in contact, and I am so proud of what he and Charlie Dunne built with Wind Vintage. I visited them early last year while in Florida for business and expressed my wish to buy a Submariner 5513 for my upcoming birthday. A month later, I had the watch in my hand.

Steps to success

The reason I wrote this article was to share my experience and give a bit of guidance. Don’t be scared if you plan on buying something uncomfortably expensive. Make sure that the funds are readily available, even if that means sacrificing other watches in your collection. Do your research on the model. Read articles or books, listen to podcasts, or watch videos. Especially if the watch is a coveted example, you will have tons of material to go through. Once you have settled on a decade or specific reference, go hunting. Find familiar dealers that have good reputations. Don’t forget to ask them questions or cross-reference the timepiece with collectors you think are knowledgeable in this field. Most collectors love to spread the word, share their knowledge, and support the community. Equally, good dealers have no reason to misrepresent anything.

Once you have decided on and are happy with a certain watch, find a secure way to pay, and ensure that shipping is insured. If all goes as planned, you will have a great buying experience, a story to tell, and a wonderful timepiece on your wrist. I went through every step, and while knowing some of these guys helped, I’m sure they would have acted the same if I was a random guy inquiring about a watch they were selling.

Final thoughts

My Submariner 5513 is from 1972, meaning it’s close to my GMT-Master in age and looks. The watch may not have been a safe queen, but I love it as it is. The bracelet (and perhaps the case) has seen some “action” in the past, but I’m okay with it. After all, despite its age, the watch still looks good, just like I do. I could not have been happier with my 5513; it was the perfect birthday present and marked a milestone in age and a decade in our beloved industry. Now comes the following question: what should I get for my 50th?

Thank you for being so helpful along the journey, Mike, Eric, Charlie, Istvan, and Terri!