So, now that we've reasonably concluded the midcase is not a fake ( https://omegaforums.net/threads/question-on-case-engraving-on-a-5513.56560/) but a later service replacement, what to do with the most important question at hand: gilt or matte dial? (The 1.4M serial straddles the later gilt and the early matte periods).
Which way do you guys think I should go with my little project 5513/2?

 

I am doing exactly the same project with a 1.16X.XXX. 1964 5513. The most important thing is to have hands that glow like the dial's lume and match the color. I searched VRF and there is still some sort of debate. But when you look at all the watches displayed most have steel hands. There is a consensus that Subs with the circled gilt dial should have gilt hands. I think both look great, but gilt hands are very rare to find.

 

Agreed. Slim chance on gilt hands...I'm pretty much ok with 'regular' ones.
And, FWIW, I'm beginning to lean towards a gilt dial. Just means sawing off a limb or two to pay for it.

 

I started with the dial, and it took me three years to find the right watch (price, condition, serial,...). I have now found it, a friend of mine bought a meter's first 5513 and is parting with his 5513 from 1964 with a later dial. I plan on reluming steel hands with actual tritium that glows.

 

Then you also need a long 5 insert and that special crown, if you want to go all the way.
Rolex is not an easy and cheap path.

 

Who will you have do the tritium reluming?

 

I am going to try it myself. I selected table clocks hands with a lot of old tritium, selected the ones with the right color and glowing. I plan on crushing the lume, mix with water and little bit of wallpaper glue and eventually lume the hands. I don't how it'll work out in the end it is just a plan for I have still to pay for the 5513.