Rolex Submariner (No Date) 5513 "Meters First" Zinc Sulfide Lume Long 5 Blue Insert 1968 (Full-Set/Serviced)

Rolex Submariner 5513 in steel, meters-first dial with aged patina, riveted bracelet, original box and papers dated 1968, serial 1.6 million.

Rolex Submariner

Rolex is a Swiss watch manufacturer based in Geneva, founded in 1905. The brand built its reputation on producing reliable, well-made watches for everyday wear and professional use. Over the decades, Rolex became one of the most recognized names in watchmaking, known for consistent quality control and a strong secondary market. Their watches tend to hold value well, which makes them a practical choice for buyers who want a solid timepiece that also functions as a long-term asset.

The Submariner is Rolex's dive watch, introduced in 1953. It was designed as a functional tool watch for underwater use, and that original purpose shaped everything about its design, including the rotating bezel, screw-down crown, and legible dial. Over time, the Submariner crossed over from dive tool to everyday wear, and it became one of the most recognizable watch designs in the world. It has been in continuous production longer than almost any other dive watch, which speaks to how well the original design was executed.

The reference 5513 was produced from 1962 to 1989, making it one of the longest-running Submariner references. It used a non-chronometer movement, which kept costs slightly lower than its sibling the 1680, but the case and overall construction were essentially the same. The 5513 is now a well-regarded vintage reference because of its long production run and the variety of dials and inserts it went through over the years. Collectors pay attention to matching components and originality, as the watch changed gradually over its production span, making period-correct examples particularly interesting to study and own.

Key Details To Consider

The Rolex Submariner reference 5513 is one of the most sought-after vintage Rolex sport watches, and this particular example is a strong one. Everything on this watch is original and period correct, which matters a great deal to collectors of this reference.

The case has been recently polished by a Rolex-certified polisher, carried out to factory standards. The lugs are razor sharp with well-defined bevels on the sides, and the overall case thickness is what you want to see on an unabused 5513. All case numbers are fully legible and intact, and the serial number falls in the 1.6 million range, placing production around 1968.

The dial is the desirable meters-first configuration, with original zinc sulfide lume that has aged to an even yellow tone across all the plots and matching hands. The aging is consistent throughout, which is exactly what you hope for on a dial of this age. It still reacts strongly under UV light and glows green as it should.

The bezel insert is the long 5 variety, which is the correct insert for this period of production. It has aged to an unusual blue tone that photographs well and reads beautifully in person.

The original riveted Oyster bracelet is in excellent shape with no stretch and currently holds 11 links, fitting a 7-inch (17.8 cm) wrist. Additional links can be provided if needed.

The movement was professionally serviced in July 2026 and was pressure tested to 3 ATM. It runs well and keeps accurate time. The watch comes with its original Rolex coffin box and papers dated February 1968.

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