The Breitling Watch Source Forums

As mentioned previously, in my reluctant For Sale thread for my SuperOcean Heritage Chrono LE "Green".

Here is this very Submariner that I was chasing.

I hope you agree with me that it was too good an opportunity to miss:



One of the reasons I really got into wristwatches in the first place was watching the early James Bond films as a kid. Especially "Live and Let Die" with this very model of Submariner, 5513. However, James Bond's Submariner had a magnet (for pulling down zippers on dresses ) and a mini buzz saw for cutting ropes, etc. You can imagine how cool that seemed to me when I was a kid. I think a lot of me mentally is still that kid.

As a result of this my first ever high end watch was a current model Submariner non-date which I owned and cherished for 7 years, before trading up to a Submariner LV.

Since then I have come to appreciate a lot more in the world of horology but I have always wanted one of these vintage Submariners. However, I thought they were well out of my price range, unless they were in shoddy condition with no provenance to prove their authenticity. Especially after the recent craze for vintage Rolex over the last few years. In fact, just recently a rare military version of this very model was sold at auction for £74,400 ($100000)!

To my joy about 10 days ago I spotted this one from a trusted online dealer, who does have a bricks and mortar shop/office as well. It was advertised as being in perfect condition and just having received a full service by a Rolex trained technician. It was a reasonable price to start off with but when I rang him and offered cash the price was dropped by £500. I was still a little wary but I travelled the 200 miles to meet up with him. This isn't as crazy as it sounds because his office was 7 miles from where I used to live three years ago. So I took the opportunity to go and visit my Sister, and her family, and some other friends at the same time.

I wasn't dissapointed when I saw this 1964 Rolex Submariner 5513. It was indeed perfect. It literally looked brand new in every way. It also came with a certificate of authenticity, a valuation certificate (for much more than I paid for it and more in keeping with what I think it is worth) and a letter from Rolex also stating it's authenticity and announcing it is not on their lost and found list. The watch is also guaranteed for a year, including the Water Resistance, and came with a full 7 days money back guarantee (which I will most definitely not be using ).

Since arriving home late last Wednesday with the watch I have been checking the time against my radio controlled clock. It is gaining about 2seconds/day. Very impressive for a 46 year old movement.

I couldn't be happier at realising one of my long time horological dreams.

Here are a few more quick and dirty photos of this amazing timepiece. A full review of this watch will follow shortly.







This is a fully locked Triplock crown. It makes you wonder why Rolex can't get these to line up properly.



The original bracelet, clasp and case have been refinished to perfection.

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Forum Representative for Andrew Michaels Jewellers, UK

Please visit my Watch Blog at http://www.AndrewMichaels.co.uk

******Our new Pre-owned watch site www.amjwatches.co.uk is now live*****

Sweet !

Great story! By the sound of everything you obviously made the right decision for yourself!! Enjoy and wear in good health!

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SA-Baton White Dial/ProII
Tissot Le Locle

Wow that's simply beautiful!! Great story to go along with that timeless classic!

Enjoy!!

its okay. could be alot better............if the bezel was aligned!



very nice.

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"Don't Touch The Watch." - Patrick Bateman

Loved that post, you must feel great ! Can't believe its 46 years old either!

Cheers

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Currently:
Avenger Skyland(Black)
Super Avenger(White)

Moved on:
Montbrillant Legende(Silver)
Panerai 312
SOHC 125th Ann. LE(Silver)
Navitimer World(Pearl)
Panerai 441

Beautiful. And a meters-first dial too! Nice pick-up

Thank You for all Your kind words Guys.

This is a dream that I have finally turned into reality.

Very, very happy indeed with this great vintage 'piece.

Cheers,

Rick.

_________________
Forum Representative for Andrew Michaels Jewellers, UK

Please visit my Watch Blog at http://www.AndrewMichaels.co.uk

******Our new Pre-owned watch site www.amjwatches.co.uk is now live*****

While old Submariners aren't really my thing (primarily because of the bracelets and the size), I can certainly appreciate what a fine piece that is. A real piece of history and in truly fantastic condition too.

Many congrats on picking it up...... especially as you clearly got it for a good price too.

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Driver8

Site Moderator

Hi,

Great watch, nice story, enjoy wearing it, safe in the knowledge that there aint many around in the same condition.


Ian.

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Navitimer World, Callistino.
Omega Speedmaster Moon, Hamilton 992B, Steinhart BS LEII #2, B&R 01-92 Heritage

As many on here know I love Rolex, I too have a vintage Red Submariner and love it to bits. It is worn more than all my other watches including my Daytona



I now have it on the correct bracelet

I love a bit of WABI on it so when it was sent for it's service only got a movement one done and instructed them not to polish the case because of this.

Enjoy your watch

Mart

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"It's not how it's written it's how it's read"

Nice piece! What exactly does WABI stand for? I know it means a little wear, characted etc but not exactly sure what the letters stand for?

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SA-Baton White Dial/ProII
Tissot Le Locle

#1 Acronym for worn and broken in

#2 short form of the Japanese term wabi-sabi which is a concept that imperfect things can be beautiful

Love it! I like learning one "cool" fact every week. This one is this weeks. Thanks Roff. Your good deed for the week is done.

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SA-Baton White Dial/ProII
Tissot Le Locle

This vintage Rolex bug is dangerous, I traded my Daytona against a 1971 5512 Obviously I had cash as well but I really like the vintage patina on these old Subbys

Pictures will be up shortly

Mart

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"It's not how it's written it's how it's read"