Rolex Submariner 5513 "Feet First" Heavy Patina 1971 (Serviced)

Steel Rolex Submariner 5513 from 1971, "Feet First" dial with yellow patina, blue-aged insert, and all-original details on a full-length Oyster bracelet.

Rolex Submariner

Rolex needs little introduction. The brand has been making professional-grade tool watches since the early twentieth century, and the Submariner is one of the models that built that reputation. Introduced in 1953, the Submariner was designed as a functional dive watch, built to handle real underwater use while remaining practical as an everyday watch on land. Over the decades it became one of the most recognized watch designs in the world, and vintage references from the 1960s and 1970s continue to attract serious collector interest.

The reference 5513 ran from 1962 through 1989, making it one of the longest-produced Submariner references. During that run, Rolex made a number of incremental changes to the dial text, bezel insert, and other details, which is a large part of why collectors pay close attention to this reference. The 5513 was the non-chronometer-rated version of the Submariner line, and it used the caliber 1520 movement, a reliable workhorse that Rolex produced for many years. The watch is 40mm in diameter, which was a substantial size for its era and still wears comfortably today.

What makes the 5513 interesting to collectors is the combination of its long production run and the variety of dials and configurations that appeared over the years. Examples from the early 1970s sit in a sweet spot where the watches are old enough to show genuine character and aging, but still relatively attainable compared to earlier references. The natural aging that occurs on the dials and bezel inserts of these watches is something that cannot be replicated, and it is a big part of what draws people to this era of Rolex production.

Key Details To Consider

This Rolex Submariner reference 5513 is a well-preserved example from 1971, carrying a 2.8 million serial number. The watch is all original and presents well overall. The case has been polished at some point in its life, though the lugs remain sharp and retain good thickness, which is a positive sign for a watch of this age.

The dial is a "Feet First" example that is period correct for this reference, showing an even, warm yellow patina across all the indices and matching hands. This kind of consistent aging is genuinely attractive on a vintage Submariner and reflects the watch's honest history rather than any mismatched or replaced parts. The bezel insert has also aged naturally to a blue tone, which adds to the overall character of the piece and is consistent with what collectors look for in an original example.

The Oyster bracelet is complete with all 12 links and shows no stretch, which is a real plus on a 50-plus-year-old watch. Case reference numbers remain fully legible.

The movement has been professionally serviced in August 2026 and runs correctly. It was also pressure tested to 3ATM (30 meters) following the service. For a vintage Submariner intended for daily wear or collection, this gives a reasonable baseline of confidence in its mechanical reliability.

Overall this is a solid, honest example of a 5513 with original parts, good aging, and recent service history.

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