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Gilt 5513: Patina or damaged?
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Faz
·I think it's simply slowly deteriorating due to age as opposed to slowly and gracefully aging (patina). I don't agree with 'water damage' or the tritium would not be as nice and consistent. Personally, I prefer as close to pristine but I can see the appeal on this one. Kind of like a cute girl with freckles. All a question of taste.
As far as price? The price seems to be in line with the actual vintage Rolex market. You need to be a hardcore and wealthy collector to fork down this kind of $€£ for a Rolex that has become next to impossible to have serviced at a reasonable price.
As far as price? The price seems to be in line with the actual vintage Rolex market. You need to be a hardcore and wealthy collector to fork down this kind of $€£ for a Rolex that has become next to impossible to have serviced at a reasonable price.
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JwRosenthal
·I am constantly blown away at how much money these watches bring in this shape. These are essentially worn out, fυcked up watches with either moisture damage or material failures (starry night,, spider web- whatever), that I wouldn't wear if you paid me. Patina is the color of the lume shifting towards a warm tone, the softness of the brushing on a bracelet from wear that begins to glow with time, the slight greying of a bezel from UV exposure. I find nothing charming about a black dial that has started to degrade- it's damage. I would hold out for one in better shape without the damage.
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rkman11
·I am constantly blown away at how much money these watches bring in this shape. These are essentially worn out, fυcked up watches with either moisture damage or material failures (starry night,, spider web- whatever), that I wouldn't wear if you paid me. Patina is the color of the lume shifting towards a warm tone, the softness of the brushing on a bracelet from wear that begins to glow with time, the slight greying of a bezel from UV exposure. I find nothing charming about a black dial that has started to degrade- it's damage. I would hold out for one in better shape without the damage.
I respectfully disagree. For a dress watch, absolutely, as close to pristine as possible. But for a tool watch, I wanna see that it’s been put to use. That’s it’s been pushed to the brink, and has lived to tell the tale.
But that’s just me, and some others, but not everyone. That’s the great thing about this obsession - something for everyone. Which comes back to what most have said: try not to pay a premium but if you love it, go for it.
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watchknut
·I am constantly blown away at how much money these watches bring in this shape. These are essentially worn out, fυcked up watches with either moisture damage or material failures (starry night,, spider web- whatever), that I wouldn't wear if you paid me. Patina is the color of the lume shifting towards a warm tone, the softness of the brushing on a bracelet from wear that begins to glow with time, the slight greying of a bezel from UV exposure. I find nothing charming about a black dial that has started to degrade- it's damage. I would hold out for one in better shape without the damage.
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JwRosenthal
·
The debate of use versus abuse has been argued over and over and I have worn my GMT- as a tool in hard conditions for 18 years and it still looks great...use, not abuse.
I agree, beauty is in the eye of the beer-holder, but sometimes I feel like the Emporer has no clothes when people fawn all over a watch, particularly a Rolex, that if it were any other brand would be considered a clapped out POS and needs to go to the parts bin.
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watchknut
·To me, yes. I appreciate it as a wonderful artifact, but as a watch to wear on the regular- no thanks. If I was given the choice of that versus a plain Jane 1675 in excellent shape, I would take the 1675 every time and wear it like it should be worn.
The debate of use versus abuse has been argued over and over and I have worn my GMT- as a tool in hard conditions for 18 years and it still looks great...use, not abuse.
I agree, beauty is in the eye of the beer-holder, but sometimes I feel like the Emporer has no clothes when people fawn all over a watch, particularly a Rolex, that if it were any other brand would be considered a clapped out POS and needs to go to the parts bin.
If you appreciate Rolex and tool watches, then watches like these are the ultimate expression of a genre...worn as intended and still alive to tell the tales after decades of use, wearing the scars as a testament to durability.
Luckily I have a few beaters 😝
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mmrols
·That dial looks awesome!
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JwRosenthal
·This is a deep bench watch for sure, and one that is difficult to own because it cannot worn with regularity, and that may be the reason that I ultimately sell it, as I wear all of my others.
If you appreciate Rolex and tool watches, then watches like these are the ultimate expression of a genre...worn as intended and still alive to tell the tales after decades of use, wearing the scars as a testament to durability.
Luckily I have a few beaters 😝
To your point about deep bench, being a lifelong collector of many things, I came to the conclusion many years ago that I just couldn't enjoy a static collection anymore. Many people have museum pieces that sit on a shelf or in a safe and never see the light of day. If I'm not going to use it, I won't own it anymore. If it's not to my esthetic standard, I won't buy it regardless of how cheap (unless the aforementioned gilt dial was $20, then of course I would buy it and flip is fast).Recently, a forum member here had one of my top 5 want pieces for sale at an incredibly attractive price, but the dial had some scratching, and I knew it would bother me- so I passed on it knowing it would just sit in my drawer and eventually get sold.
I think a lot of people desire something that may be out of grasp (ie gilt dialed Rolex) and when a compromised one comes up, they get excited because it may actually be affordable for them. If they find the damage/patina attractive, then awesome- they got a dream watch at a "bargain". But I learned long ago that settling for a compromised piece rather than just saving and waiting for one that is to your esthetic will only result in disappointment and eventual sale. The OP asked the question- is this patina or damage. If he had actually found it attractive to him, the post wouldn't have been a question but rather a "look what I got" thread. He is clearly questioning if he can live with the "patina". If you have to ask- then no.
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watchknut
·I would happily own any one of those as they are still in excellent condition (use, not abuse), without fear of dinging a valuable rare piece- those are much more my speed.
To your point about deep bench, being a lifelong collector of many things, I came to the conclusion many years ago that I just couldn't enjoy a static collection anymore. Many people have museum pieces that sit on a shelf or in a safe and never see the light of day. If I'm not going to use it, I won't own it anymore. If it's not to my esthetic standard, I won't buy it regardless of how cheap (unless the aforementioned gilt dial was $20, then of course I would buy it and flip is fast).Recently, a forum member here had one of my top 5 want pieces for sale at an incredibly attractive price, but the dial had some scratching, and I knew it would bother me- so I passed on it knowing it would just sit in my drawer and eventually get sold.
I think a lot of people desire something that may be out of grasp (ie gilt dialed Rolex) and when a compromised one comes up, they get excited because it may actually be affordable for them. If they find the damage/patina attractive, then awesome- they got a dream watch at a "bargain". But I learned long ago that settling for a compromised piece rather than just saving and waiting for one that is to your esthetic will only result in disappointment and eventual sale. The OP asked the question- is this patina or damage. If he had actually found it attractive to him, the post wouldn't have been a question but rather a "look what I got" thread. He is clearly questioning if he can live with the "patina". If you have to ask- then no.
If the OP loves the watch and it speaks to him, then buy and enjoy...if not, don't do it. It's hard for me to own a watch with any issues with the dial, lume, or case.
In regards to the 6542, I had zero desire to ever own the reference, but when I was offered this one from the original owner in its original configuration, I could not pass, as the upside was too tremendous. It is an outlier in my collection for sure for a multitude of reasons...we will see how long it lasts.
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propervinyl
·@watchknut agreed that is a total piece of shit. I have no idea why you are even sharing pictures of that old thing - if it were me I would feel tremendous shame.
Another poster had a great suggestion. This abomination should be scrapped. Immediately.
Another poster had a great suggestion. This abomination should be scrapped. Immediately.
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spacemission
·It's damaged for me. I think price is high.
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stahlmotte
·I like the patina of the 5513. The price is 18k €. 5 years ago I can bought a 5008 for 12k € with patina/damage and do not done it.
Do you like this watch really? Make your decision not like an investor 😉
Do you like this watch really? Make your decision not like an investor 😉
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pIoNeErOfThEnILe
·Ah Vintage Rolexing, where paying more for something that’s falling apart is the name of the game...
Assuming all the usual caveats, that looks fairly consistent to me.
lol
i don't trust any even wear patina. not that it doesn't or couldn't exist, we know it does. but if the spotting wasn't almost perfect on the watch it goes for much less.
there are some real michealangelos when it comes to doctoring patina and making the uneven wear much more even
you're literally playing with fire and paying a premium to do so
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