Rolex

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It looks like a NOS bezel which is pretty rare but always a possibility and you look to be the lucky owner.

Bill

...i'd like to show you some details about the 40, the most interesting number on this insert series (imo)

The details tell the story.

Best

Bill

may be from a 1680 Best, Edwin

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...i think it was a long and painful divorce

I always thought it was just an odd fat font but chose not to label it. It is an insert associated with a 1963 submariner.

You can see it next to a mk3 fat font it has a tail on the 4 and the 5 has a square body.

You can clearly see position 3 has a 4 that is bigger vs the position 4 insert which has this slim quality to the #4.

I am not sure where to position the slim 4 before or after the MK3.  The slim 4 is clearly illustrated below.

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... and informative post. Will keep as a fantastic reference source!

Enjoyed very much reading and looking at these photographs!

Receive my best cordial regards, Abel.

Just when we thought it was safe and we had a good handle on the MK1-3 the slim4 shows up.  And back to Rolex 101 learning.

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Bill

Everyone agrees "Skinny 4" is an early version around 63 and then those later adds  show what seems to be the same insert. My bet is that the adds back then weren't always accurate reflecting the exact dial/insert version being sold in a given year. Perhaps service manuals would be a better indicator. Again this has been a great post, very informative and has led to another helpful thread over on VRF  Hats off to you, maybe this will continue until all the known versions can be placed is chronological order. This message has been edited by Suboc on 2013-03-14 08:04:03

I think we have enough examples of watches around the 1963-1964 era to confirm that regardless of the ad.

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Bill

Here is another example from my library...

1963:

 

Note the PanAm reference.

 

1965:

 

 

 

Best

Blomman

based on the dates you are presenting.

I love the second ad "Where did you get your Rolex".  Looks to be very early 1959-1961 as it seems to feature a big logo on the bracelet you can see the inside and how the logo fills the blade.  Do you know the year of that one.

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Bill

in an among the Mk1-3 reduced view of the fat fonts 1959-1967 ish.  I would not bet the house on it as we know Rolex can always throw a curve ball.  However as noted based on the various examples as seen on the watch and my direct visual confirmation of a 1963 5513 gilt with the slim 4 fat font I have some confidence.  Your NOS example is a killer example of the insert in all its beauty.

Best

Bill

I guess I have excuse now to get a nice 1963/5513 in need of a period correct bezel and insert.