Vintage Submariner, FRESH FROM SPECIALIST ROLEX SERVICE by Steven Hale Watch Restoration Ltd. Stainless steel Rolex Submariner model 5513 manufactured around 1984 with 8673xxx case number. The watch features a “SWISS-T<25” tritium dial with white metal surrounds to the hour markers. These dials were introduced on new watches around the time this watch was made, but then also used as service replacement dials for any 5513s which needed them. Codes inside the case-back suggest that this watch was serviced by Rolex UK in Summer 1989 and early 1996. Miltons (Liverpool) Ltd bought the watch in January 2017 and in Summer 2023 sent it to Stephen Hale, a fully accredited Rolex watch-maker and one of the UK’s leading vintage specialists. The watch enjoyed £1,500 worth of work including a full service and the fitting of new tube gaskets, plexi glass, 4th wheel, auto-drive, rotor axle and black bezel insert (with what we believe to be a Luminova variant “pip”), while the luminous material on the hands was also restored. The Oyster Fliplock 93150 bracelet with 580 end-links has an “S X11” clasp code, suggesting that is a replacement service part that was fitted around the millennium. The rest of the bracelet shows some signs of age and wear, but this generation of Oysters was substantial and it has many years of reasonable wear left. It has a Rolex 1520 calibre movement which is running very well after service, although it will vary slightly depending on the individual wearer. Its new glass and bezel insert are of course in perfect condition having just been replaced. The case, crown and bezel rim are in very good condition, while the case numbering is crisp and clear. Comes with period-correct Rolex 67.00.08 box-set and 1987 English Submariner instruction booklet (themselves being accessories of some value!), our own warranty card, a certificate from the ALR Watch Register confirming that we checked it with them and a copy of the invoice from SHWR listing all work carried out. A photo-essay of this watch with many more photographs is available by clicking here.
Please note that while the watch has just been restored to Rolex standards and we have ourselves successfully tested water resistance for normal use including recreational swimming etc, our default position with such vintage pieces is to advise that more extensive pressure testing be carried out before any significant underwater diving is considered. Many collectors of such vintage Rolex where the dial is a key part of the value wisely choose NOT to swim in them, as a simple mistake in securing the crown or any subsequent and unrecognised deterioration in sealing could see water enter the case, damage the dial and destroy significant value.
We cannot accept cash for items of such high value. Please ask for one of our watch specialists if you would like to view the watch in our private / secure sales facility or to enquire about acceptable payment methods.
