Hi everyone,

I have been offered a 5513 and the seller was very upfront about the bezel being aftermarket as well as saying the dial and hands were relumed. However, I just want to ensure that the case itself is authentic?

Any opinions are appreciated!

Thanks

 

Is that a gloss dial? Cannot really tell from pics. Confirming re-lume and aftermarket insert.

 

Case looks legit. That caseback alone would sell for $3k+ on eBay.

 

Looks a bit weird to me - crown guards seem unusually thick. Engraving looks a bit funny as well but could do with a better pic of that.

 

I'm going to say the case is a Vietnam case.

Not a single service mark since 1966, and the font is exactly the same as a Vietnam case I have. Same dropped "5" in 5513 and everything:



Genuine Comparison:



EDIT:

Dropped 5's are common, so never mind on that being a tell. But the rest of the font and placement looks identical to my Vietnam case. So, take it as you will.

HQ Milton example:

 

+1. The serial engraving feels off as well (that 2...)

Correct example: https://www.hqmilton.com/timepieces...13-with-tropical-meters-first-gilt-dial-A4194

 

Weird vertical brushing over the whole serial number intended to make it look aged.

 

@MoclovFlop what is the significance of you saying it is a Vietnam case?

I'm just a schmo who doesn't know, and would like to. My suspicion is the Vietnam cases are known fakes, but I'd like to hear a little more about them please.

 

The fact we are all picking at it plus the fact that it clearly is re lumed, fake insert makes this a hard pass.

 

There are a few companies in Vietnam who are specifically known for making good reproduction cases. It's just easier to identify them as "Vietnam" because that's where they originate. Even though there are a few outfits who modify them to certain levels of accuracy (these folks are also based there). So there might be one factory cranking out "blanks", and then there are suppliers who take them and shape them or whatever (PCG, 5512, 5513, etc etc etc)

So it's just a blanket statement to call out one of the cases from there. Instead of calling out a certain maker.

Hope that makes sense.

It's also just a way of saying it's one of the "good" reproductions. Since they typically produce the most accurate versions. There are dozens of fakers out there. Some better than others.

 

Thanks. That's solidly in the "Things I didn't know" file. I appreciate the explanation.

 

Thanks for all the replies. I guess I’ll have to break the news to the seller.

 

Which is most likely aware

 

Crown guards look really thick compared to the used lugs.