1988 Rolex Submariner 5513

Rolex released the Submariner ref. 5513 in the early 1960s and manufactured it until 1989, which makes it one of the longest Rolex references in continuous production. It's even served as the inspiration for countless other dive watches over the decades. The ref. 5513 was initially built with a glossy dial, but Rolex switched it to matte starting around 1966. The matte dial had the longest run with the ref. 5513, but it was eventually phased out in favor of the first modern glossy dial Submariners around 1984.

Depending on who you ask, a manufacturing defect or happy accident resulted in those first modern glossy dials "spidering," like the example we have here. While remaining glossy, the dial surface on these Submariners is actually cracked on the very top level of lacquer. This creates an amazing texture and mimics the look of a spider web. Viewing the watch from straight on, the cracking can sort of hide but upon rotating the watch and letting it play in the light, the spidering shines through.

Information

Pre-Owned: Rolex Submariner 5513

Serial: R,410,XXX

Year: 1988

Case Reference: 5513

Dial: Tritium – 'spidering' - Lume has started to turn light orange

Hands: Tritium – Lume patina into a beige

Case: Stainless Steel - 40mm x 14.5mm Thickness x 47mm lug to lug

Bracelet: 93150 Clasp Code  –  no. 580 Endlinks and diver extension

Movement: Rolex 1520 - Automatic - Running (+3s/d 290 Amp)

Glass: Generic Acrylic Correct Domed Crystal

Accessories: Inner/outer boxes, booklets, hangtag, and warranty papers

Lug Width: 20mm

Functions: Hours, Minutes, Seconds

Bracelet size: 7.25”

Condition: Great vintage condition

Case has minimal light wear. Bracelet has light normal wear with practically no stretch. Dial has light spidering in the right lighting with a nice pumpkin lume coming in. Hands has some wear on the steel and lume turned into a beige color. Crystal is a new generic dome crystal. Watch is running (+3s/d 290 Amp).