I have 2 Vintage Subs for sale here: One is I believe a 1962 and the other approximately 1967. They have an interesting story that I will do my best to explain in detail.
They were owned by 2 brothers in the rock & crushed gravel business. They were also both mechanics and worked on their heavy equipment. They wore their watches daily and put them thru their paces.
They understood the value of proper maintenance and sent them to Rolex for regular service. In the photos of the case backs you will see scribes from what appears to be 8 visits to the service department.
Over the years (and I have experienced this myself firsthand) parts were replaced by Rolex. This was a common practice and considered an improvement if the watch had moisture issues or other problems. In the 60's and 70's few people weren't thinking about the future "value" of their watch and almost always gave Rolex the green light to replace worn parts or parts (say faces & hands) that may have experienced exposure to moisture or a face that due to age would longer display lume. Sadly, Rolex almost never returned the original parts. This makes 100% original / untouched watches so very rare. We've all seen the Antiques Roadshow episode and we all know the value of watches with no history of replacement parts.
These 2 are NOT all original. Parts were replaced over their nearly 60 year history, and from what I gather for the exact reasons I just explained.
These guys wore them hard and serviced them regularly.
Several years ago one of the brothers died and the surviving brother sent them both to Rolex for a final service. He wore one (I believe the 5512) for a while then committed them to storage for years. After his death a family member inherited them and I bought them both.
I have had them both thoroughly examined by Ilya from Goldtime in Winnipeg (many on this forum know him and his excellent reputation) He gave them each a minor adjustment and they function as they should and keep excellent time (as good as any of my newer watches) He also said they will provide the new owner(s) at least 2 years of trouble-free use before one would need to think about servicing them. And then they would only require a deep cleaning and lubrication.
Starting with the older one:
5512 / 1530 caliber / SN 661XXX
Bracelet is the Gay Frères Swiss riveted model # 7206. It has a fair amount of stretch and I believe it has all the links. This model has no diver's extension.
I believe this watch is from 1962.
Firstly (and most obvious) the face is not original. The correct face would have been the "Gilt" dial with 4 lines of text. This is a newer (early 70's) Matte dial with 2 lines of text.
Even so, it is still very old and shows wonderful age. Again; the face was replaced by Rolex as part of service / repair.
Hands I believe were replaced. From the feel of the crown I assume it was also replaced at one time. Crystal shows wear and looks period correct.
Watch comes with the original box. There is no paperwork and no written service history.
Since we can only put up 10 pics The first 5 pictures are of the 5512, the next 5 are for the 5513. I will post additional pics in the comments
The second one:
5513 / 1520 caliber / SN 2953XXX
Bracelet is 93150 (lots of stretch) Has diver's clasp and I think all links. For all I know this may be a service replacement but it's been like this since the early 90's when they were put in storage.
I think this is a 1967 watch. older Rolex Service Centre box, no paperwork or service details
Like the 5512 the case back shows multiple service scribes. Like the 5512 I assume it was polished sometime in it's life.
Face is the same as the 5512 (matte / 2 line) and like it; I think the hands and insert (possibly crown) are Rolex replacement parts. Crystal shows wear and looks period correct.
Ilya says the condition of the 2 watches is very similar. Both appear to have been serviced prior to deep storage (possibly in the 90's)
While I am very familiar with Rolex (have been wearing the brand for over 40 years) I am not an expert on Vintage watches but I can speak to the history of this pair.
Either of these will be a great daily driver and will only appreciate in value. NOTE: Should the buyer wish to have these watches fully serviced by Ilya I can arrange that, but I would assume you would want them as they came back from Rolex (and again; they work perfectly and need nothing at this time other than a wrist to call home)
I have them priced very reasonably at $12,500 (+ shipping ) for the 5512 and $11,500 (+ shipping ) for the 5513. I would be flexible if one buyer was to purchase both.
Here's the 5512 ($12,500 + shipping)
Here's the 5513 ($11,50 + shipping)
Hope people are OK with this "Double Post" but I wanted to keep them together so people can compare them at a glance. More pics will be added in comments below.
If someone if willing to buy the pair I feel there is plenty of "meat on the bone" should the new owner care to test the waters of the American or Asian market.
One thing I know is true; They ain't making any more 1960's Subs.
Thanks for your interest and I welcome you questions.
PS: I have plenty of references. I welcome any of my friends and previous customers / sellers to chime in on my reputation.
More 5512 pics:
W
More 5513 pics
W
They were owned by 2 brothers in the rock & crushed gravel business. They were also both mechanics and worked on their heavy equipment. They wore their watches daily and put them thru their paces.
They understood the value of proper maintenance and sent them to Rolex for regular service. In the photos of the case backs you will see scribes from what appears to be 8 visits to the service department.
Over the years (and I have experienced this myself firsthand) parts were replaced by Rolex. This was a common practice and considered an improvement if the watch had moisture issues or other problems. In the 60's and 70's few people weren't thinking about the future "value" of their watch and almost always gave Rolex the green light to replace worn parts or parts (say faces & hands) that may have experienced exposure to moisture or a face that due to age would longer display lume. Sadly, Rolex almost never returned the original parts. This makes 100% original / untouched watches so very rare. We've all seen the Antiques Roadshow episode and we all know the value of watches with no history of replacement parts.
These 2 are NOT all original. Parts were replaced over their nearly 60 year history, and from what I gather for the exact reasons I just explained.
These guys wore them hard and serviced them regularly.
Several years ago one of the brothers died and the surviving brother sent them both to Rolex for a final service. He wore one (I believe the 5512) for a while then committed them to storage for years. After his death a family member inherited them and I bought them both.
I have had them both thoroughly examined by Ilya from Goldtime in Winnipeg (many on this forum know him and his excellent reputation) He gave them each a minor adjustment and they function as they should and keep excellent time (as good as any of my newer watches) He also said they will provide the new owner(s) at least 2 years of trouble-free use before one would need to think about servicing them. And then they would only require a deep cleaning and lubrication.
Starting with the older one:
5512 / 1530 caliber / SN 661XXX
Bracelet is the Gay Frères Swiss riveted model # 7206. It has a fair amount of stretch and I believe it has all the links. This model has no diver's extension.
I believe this watch is from 1962.
Firstly (and most obvious) the face is not original. The correct face would have been the "Gilt" dial with 4 lines of text. This is a newer (early 70's) Matte dial with 2 lines of text.
Even so, it is still very old and shows wonderful age. Again; the face was replaced by Rolex as part of service / repair.
Hands I believe were replaced. From the feel of the crown I assume it was also replaced at one time. Crystal shows wear and looks period correct.
Watch comes with the original box. There is no paperwork and no written service history.
Since we can only put up 10 pics The first 5 pictures are of the 5512, the next 5 are for the 5513. I will post additional pics in the comments
The second one:
5513 / 1520 caliber / SN 2953XXX
Bracelet is 93150 (lots of stretch) Has diver's clasp and I think all links. For all I know this may be a service replacement but it's been like this since the early 90's when they were put in storage.
I think this is a 1967 watch. older Rolex Service Centre box, no paperwork or service details
Like the 5512 the case back shows multiple service scribes. Like the 5512 I assume it was polished sometime in it's life.
Face is the same as the 5512 (matte / 2 line) and like it; I think the hands and insert (possibly crown) are Rolex replacement parts. Crystal shows wear and looks period correct.
Ilya says the condition of the 2 watches is very similar. Both appear to have been serviced prior to deep storage (possibly in the 90's)
While I am very familiar with Rolex (have been wearing the brand for over 40 years) I am not an expert on Vintage watches but I can speak to the history of this pair.
Either of these will be a great daily driver and will only appreciate in value. NOTE: Should the buyer wish to have these watches fully serviced by Ilya I can arrange that, but I would assume you would want them as they came back from Rolex (and again; they work perfectly and need nothing at this time other than a wrist to call home)
I have them priced very reasonably at $12,500 (+ shipping ) for the 5512 and $11,500 (+ shipping ) for the 5513. I would be flexible if one buyer was to purchase both.
Here's the 5512 ($12,500 + shipping)
Here's the 5513 ($11,50 + shipping)
Hope people are OK with this "Double Post" but I wanted to keep them together so people can compare them at a glance. More pics will be added in comments below.
If someone if willing to buy the pair I feel there is plenty of "meat on the bone" should the new owner care to test the waters of the American or Asian market.
One thing I know is true; They ain't making any more 1960's Subs.
Thanks for your interest and I welcome you questions.
PS: I have plenty of references. I welcome any of my friends and previous customers / sellers to chime in on my reputation.
More 5512 pics:
W
More 5513 pics
W
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