Rolex Submariner

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"From birth, man carries the weight of gravity on his shoulders. But man has only to sink beneath the surface and he is free." - Jacques Yves Cousteau The Rolex Submariner Referenc e 5513 is likely the world's most important watch. In constant production since 1954, the Submariner has become so well known that it is often what one thinks of when they hear the brand's name. But the Submariner did not earn its iconic status simply by being ubiquitous. The watch was specifically designed for use in the Earth's oceans, expertly crafted and honed to serve sport, scientific and military forays beneath the waves. Thus, it is imbued with the mystery of the deep, forever linked to the desire to interact with the one environment on this earth most inhospitable to man. Though the Submariner has evolved over time, it has remained very close to its original execution. And while there are some variants that are valued at incredibly high levels, the modest no-date, matte dial Reference 5513, produced from the early 1960s until 1990, is perhaps the loveliest - a simple tool watch constructed for one purpose in mind. The world of vintage Submariners is replete with terms the collector or enthusiast has undoubtedly heard. But decoding this often complex lexicon can be difficult, and leaves many individuals clawing at terms that have become inflated, overused and largely misunderstood over time. Words like Maxi, meters first, serif and non-serif have become catchy terms, flipped here and there carelessly by many an enthusiast. But when its all said and done, they generally don't add much clarity to the process of knowing where to begin looking, how to know how much you should spend and what the value of the watch you are getting actually is. In our opinion, a Submariner should check three simple boxes. First and foremost, the case should be thick with no signs of over-polishing - once metal has been polished away, there is no getting it back. Secondly, the watch should have an honest, matching dial and handset. Refinished and re-lumed dials should be avoided. Lastly, and most importantly, the watch should sing to you. When deciding between these monoliths that surged through history as the most iconic watches in existence, look for that something special that moves you. This watch, dating from roughly 1977, is a lovely example that we are pleased to have on offer. With a beautifully patinated matte dial and Mercedes hands, and sharp, thick Oyster case without the common signs of over-polishing, this Sub checks all the above boxes, and is a great example for any collector! Show more