The iconic Submariner is strongly associated with the Rolex brand, recognized by both beginner and advanced collectors throughout the globe. The reference 5513 in particular is a benchmark for dive watches, and the watch that best epitomizes the Submariner line. Released in 1962, the Rolex Submariner 5513 was in production until 1989, enjoying a lengthy run of approximately 27 years. Throughout its history, the reference evolved through various modifications and improvements, especially with respect to the dial. While the earliest examples of the reference featured glossy gilt dials with gilt writing, later examples featured matte black dials. A quintessential tool watch, this outstanding example is part of the earliest generation of reference 5513s housing a rich matte dial, with the depth rating at 6 o’clock featuring the rare and highly-coveted meters first, which Rolex would later change to feet first for nearly the entire production run of the reference.
The present lot is dated from circa 1967 and displaying a dial with two lines of text. An extremely well-preserved example, it was hardly ever worn and most certainly never polished in our opinion. Its original dial is stunning, featuring luminous hour markers that have aged to a vibrant yellow matching perfectly with its original hands. The aluminum “fat font” bezel inlay still retains a deep black color that matches ideally with the hue of the matte black dial. The original bracelet, reference 7206, fitted to the watch with 80 endlinks, is tight and very crisp.
The reference 5513 is arguably the most iconic dive watch ever produced, and the present, early timepiece is of exceptional quality – fitting the Ride the Wave collection perfectly.
Founded in 1905 England by Hans Wilsdorf and Alfred Davis as Wilsdorf & Davis, it soon became known as the Rolex Watch Company in 1915, moving its headquarters to Geneva in 1919. Like no other company, the success of the wristwatch can be attributed to many of Rolex's innovations that made them one of the most respected and well-known of all luxury brands. These innovations include their famous "Oyster" case — the world's first water resistant and dustproof watch case, invented in 1926 — and their "Perpetual" — the first reliable self-winding movement for wristwatches launched in 1933. They would form the foundation for Rolex's Datejust and Day-Date, respectively introduced in 1945 and 1956, but also importantly for their sports watches, such as the Explorer, Submariner and GMT-Master launched in the mid-1950s.
One of its most famous models is the Cosmograph Daytona. Launched in 1963, these chronographs are without any doubt amongst the most iconic and coveted of all collectible wristwatches. Other key collectible models include their most complicated vintage watches, including references 8171 and 6062 with triple calendar and moon phase, "Jean Claude Killy" triple date chronograph models and the Submariner, including early "big-crown" models and military-issued variants.
