5513 case-back swapped out for 5512? NO.. Probably Original

dougiedude · Jan 2, 2016

This 5513 has '5512' engraved inside the case-back:

I don't suppose this is a common occurrence... Here's the rest of the watch:

I know very little about Rolex, but I'd like to learn...

Perhaps someone swapped out the case-back? The seller doesn't say...😒

Probably lowers it's value a bit?

everestx · Jan 2, 2016

It's not uncommon to see 5513 models w/ 5512 case-backs. I have read numerous times that Rolex didn't waste much so this would be another example.

I think they have it priced accordingly for what it is and think they disclosed what was more important - the colored matched hands and spider webbed dial.

reficul_x · Jan 3, 2016

It is very common for a 5512 to use a 5513 caseback. Rolex didn't bother to use it for the right reference then.

For a 5513 to use a 5512 caseback, it is less common but I know it exist. To me it is interesting but no way it will add or detract the value.

Just like any other vintage, condition is key and "correctness" is the pre-requisite before a purchase.

Hope I have sum this up for you to make the right call.

dougiedude · Jan 3, 2016

I suppose an Obsessive-Compulsive would find this 'incorrectness' somewhat annoying, the wrong ref. on caseback...

So I guess it's really up to me if bothers me enough to move on, eh?....😀

emilio · Jan 3, 2016

If the price is right it would not bother me at all!

As said before it does definately exist.

marturx · Jan 3, 2016

Nice case on that one.

I wouldn't worry about the caseback saying 5512, since it came from the factory that way most likely. I would be more worried about the crazed dial. Many vintage glossy dials suffers from this, and it's not for everyone, myself for one, whatever they choose to call it. It's a defect dial.

omegastar · Jan 3, 2016

Check if the case back is period correct with the serial number because it does not have patented written in the text, which corresponds to a precise moment.

Darlinboy · Jan 3, 2016

Personally, I would stay away from a Sub with the so-called "spiderweb" dial. As @marturx rightly pointed out- it is a defect and for me, a serious one. It's been hyped for years as a "feature" in the Rolex world, though not everyone buys in. Granted. some "defects" are desirable to me e.g. a nicely turned "tropical/chocolate" dial. Even then - careful - many dials so described are simply damaged and rusty.

dougiedude · Jan 3, 2016

Thanks for all the replies, guys.

marturx
Nice case on that one.

I wouldn't worry about the caseback saying 5512, since it came from the factory that way most likely. I would be more worried about the crazed dial. Many vintage glossy dials suffers from this, and it's not for everyone, myself for one, whatever they choose to call it. It's a defect dial.

Darlinboy
Personally, I would stay away from a Sub with the so-called "spiderweb" dial. As @Martux rightly pointed out- it is a defect and for me, a serious one. It's been hyped for years as a "feature" in the Rolex world, though not everyone buys in. Granted. some "defects" are desirable to me e.g. a nicely turned "tropical/chocolate" dial. Even then - careful - many dials so described are simply damaged and rusty.

This is a watch being sold by hqmilton (Jacek and Scott), and they seem pretty trustworthy, but the consensus here appears to be that 'spidering' in the dial, as cool as it looks to me (pic of it below), would be of the greatest concern. It's likely also the reason it's priced at only $5300 😀....

I'll definitely pass on this one...

Nobel Prize · Jan 3, 2016

dougiedude
Thanks for all the replies, guys.

This is a watch being sold by hqmilton (Jacek and Scott), and they seem pretty trustworthy, but the consensus here appears to be that 'spidering' in the dial, as cool as it looks to me (pic of it below), would be of the greatest concern. It's likely also the reason it's priced at only $5300 😀....

I'll definitely pass on this one...

Yeah I'd avoid the spider webbing. I'm also a little suspicious of any lume that acquires quite that level of colour and evenness. Not that it can't happen, but it is also often faked.

dougiedude · Jan 3, 2016

Nobel Prize
Yeah I'd avoid the spider webbing. I'm also a little suspicious of any lume that acquires quite that level of colour and evenness. Not that it can't happen, but it is also often faked.

... and the lume was what most attracted me to this one, besides price, 🙄. The seller (HQM) mentioned that the hands had been 're-lumed' to match..

The ad link, FWIW:

http://www.hqmilton.com/watches/1983-rolex-submariner-5513-spider-dial1

Nobel Prize · Jan 3, 2016

dougiedude
... and that was what most attracted me to this one, besides price, 🙄. The seller (HQM) mentioned that the hands had been 're-lumed' to match..

Aaaaahhhh, at least he is honest, most sellers
Just hype the price up. Wouldn't be surprised if the markers where also retouched.

So yeah, that's why the price is low. I would pass .

Archer · Jan 3, 2016

dougiedude
Thanks for all the replies, guys.

This is a watch being sold by hqmilton (Jacek and Scott), and they seem pretty trustworthy, but the consensus here appears to be that 'spidering' in the dial, as cool as it looks to me (pic of it below), would be of the greatest concern. It's likely also the reason it's priced at only $5300 😀....

I'll definitely pass on this one...

Already appears to have pieces of the lacquer missing, and in spots its lifting, so this goes beyond just cracking to me. Good call to let this one go...

Cheers, Al

everestx · Jan 3, 2016

You would have a hard time selling any spider webbed watch if you ever tired of it.

I would contact Jacek and let him know exactly what you want as many watches never hit their site.

dougiedude · Jan 3, 2016

everestx
I would contact Jacek and let him know exactly what you want as many watches never hit their site.

Thanks for the suggestion. I had already sent him a message asking about the 5512 CB, so when I respond, I may just let him know then what I want/like.

If this one below were a 'full' size instead of 'mid', I'd nab this one, I think it's gorgeous 🥰!!

The simple design, radial dial, gorgeous color, and no-date... just too small at 31mm...

dougiedude · Jan 3, 2016

Here's the link to it, FWIW:

http://www.hqmilton.com/watches/2002-rolex-midsize-oyster-perpetual-77080-salmon-dial

Brings up a question... It seems most of his ads say 'The watch is running at COSC spec.'.

I had a rather unpleasant experience buying from another seller who liked to say that a lot, but as it turned out, he didn't even know what it meant....but I would think that these guys would know what COSC spec. means. Seems rather unlikely to me that so many of their vintage are truly that accurate...😒

Nobel Prize · Jan 3, 2016

dougiedude
Here's the link to it, FWIW:

http://www.hqmilton.com/watches/2002-rolex-midsize-oyster-perpetual-77080-salmon-dial

Brings up a question... It seems most of his ads say 'The watch is running at COSC spec.'.

I had a rather unpleasant experience buying from another seller who liked to say that a lot, but as it turned out, he didn't even know what it meant....but I would think that these guys would know what COSC spec. means. Seems rather unlikely to me that so many of their vintage are truly that accurate...😒

They definately know.... They're one of the most reputable sources around.

The problem is often people who buy don't understand the cosc specs allow for quite a variance daily.

Archer · Jan 3, 2016

Most people don't know what really goes into passing a COSC test, so when someone says its "running within COSC specs" they usually just mean that the average rate is between -4 and +6 seconds per day. I doubt people who talk about the spec even check the positional rates and just go by how it wears...

The only people who can really verify that a watch meets COSC specs is COSC themselves...at least I don't know of any place that is able to perform the full set of tests at different temperatures etc.

And if the watch is in decent shape meeting a 10 second variance for average rate is not difficult.

Cheers, Al

Nobel Prize · Jan 3, 2016

Archer
Most people don't know what really goes into passing a COSC test, so when someone says its "running within COSC specs" they usually just mean that the average rate is between -4 and +6 seconds per day. I doubt people who talk about the spec even check the positional rates and just go by how it wears...

The only people who can really verify that a watch meets COSC specs is COSC themselves...at least I don't know of any place that is able to perform the full set of tests at different temperatures etc.

And if the watch is in decent shape meeting a 10 second variance for average rate is not difficult.

Cheers, Al

Bingo!! But then most people freak if they see a 6 sec variance.

I actually find it less believable when people say their watch is running at +\-1

Anyway I only really care if there is enough of a variant that I notice on my daily life, I don't really bother on measuring to the second.

flw · Jan 3, 2016

I've noticed that some of the 5513 dials had applied markers, and many others had painted ones. Anyone know why? Just curious ...