Vintage
Chromatic Fugue's inquiry into the patina differential on a late 1980s Rolex Submariner Ref. 5513 highlights a critical consideration for vintage watch collectors: the originality and matching condition of tritium hands and dial markers. This discussion delves into how such discrepancies impact a watch's collectability and value, offering essential insights for anyone navigating the nuanced world of vintage Rolex acquisitions. The community's collective wisdom provides a valuable framework for assessing authenticity and making informed purchasing decisions.
The Rolex Submariner reference 5513 is a notable example within the Submariner line, distinguished by its two-line dial and lack of a date complication. Produced for an extended period, it represents a core offering for collectors seeking a straightforward and robust tool watch. Its design emphasizes legibility and functionality, aligning with the original purpose of the Submariner series. This reference is recognized for its consistent aesthetic throughout its production run, with subtle variations in dial text and bezel inserts.
The watch features a 40mm stainless steel Oyster case, offering durability and water resistance suitable for its intended use. Powering the reference 5513 is the automatic Caliber 1520 movement, known for its reliability. The crystal is acrylic, contributing to the vintage character of the watch. The unidirectional rotating bezel, typically with an aluminum insert, allows for elapsed time measurement.
For collectors, the reference 5513 is a significant model due to its long production history and the various dial iterations, such as gilt and matte dials, which present distinct collecting opportunities. Its appeal lies in its foundational design and its position as a non-date Submariner, making it a desirable piece for those who appreciate the model's original form. The watch is often paired with an Oyster bracelet, completing its functional aesthetic.
The texture is hard to appreciate on the hands with these pictures. If you have a black light you can test to see how they glow. If they are all of the same temperature and luminosity it could just be nature. Nice looking watch.
That the hands were replaced during a service. This happened to me as well after I sent in my 861 Omega Speedmaster Pro in for service. They didn’t change the dial which had tritium but the hands were updated to Luminova. I’ll admit it does bother me a bit but I’ve gotten used to it. After experiencing this, when I got my Blancpain Flyback serviced, I told them that I was concerned about the dial and hands looking mismatched when coming back, so they immediately suggested I replace the dial as w
The difference in colour is between the tritium (markers) and the lumknova (hands) lume. I'll send you a photo later...
To be clear, I have it on good authority that the hands are tritium and NOT luminova. So if the hands were replaced, it was with other tritium hands.
But then, they were not replaced. Below you can see what used to happen to the hands lume from the eighties. I would follow Bill's advice, let's check the luminosity!
What Mary Anny is true: get a black light and check for yourself. No one here needs to convince you of anything.
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