Rolex Submariner 5513: 1970s Tool-Watch Icon with Later Swiss Service Dial

Introduction

The Rolex Submariner reference 5513 is one of the most recognisable and long-lived dive watches in the brand’s history. Introduced in 1962 and remaining in production for over 25 years, it saw numerous small but important changes in dial layout, lume composition, case finishing, and bezel design. These evolutions have created a rich collecting landscape, where details determine period-correctness and market value.

The example in question originates from 1973, placing it firmly in the matte-dial era when Rolex sports watches had a purpose-built aesthetic—tool watches first, luxury objects second. However, this particular watch has been fitted with a later Swiss service dial and hands, a common occurrence when watches were returned to Rolex for maintenance and their original tritium components were replaced. The result is a fascinating mix of vintage case and movement with updated, factory-correct replacement parts that ensure functionality and longevity.

The 5513 in the Submariner Timeline

When Rolex released the 5513 in 1962, it was essentially an evolution of the preceding 5512 but without chronometer certification. This omission kept the retail price lower while maintaining the same robust Oyster case and rotating bezel. The 5513 used the Calibre 1530 initially, later updated to the Calibre 1520, and throughout its production, it retained the classic 200-metre water resistance rating and the Submariner’s instantly recognisable design language.

The reference became a benchmark for professional dive watches. It was worn by military divers, professional saturation divers, and even James Bond (in modified form on the wrist of Roger Moore in Live and Let Die). Its long production run and enduring popularity cemented the 5513 as one of the most desirable vintage Rolex sports references.

By 1973, the 5513 was in the middle of its matte dial period, where dials were finished with a flat, non-glossy surface and painted hour markers filled with tritium lume. This was before the introduction of the glossy dials with white gold surrounds in the mid-1980s, so the watch had a clean, functional look.

The 1973 Production Context

A 1973 production watch would typically feature:

• Case: 40 mm stainless steel Oyster case with chamfered lugs, domed acrylic crystal (Tropic 19), and screw-down caseback.
• Dial: Matte black “feet first” depth rating (200m = 660ft), tritium luminous plots, no date aperture.
• Movement: Rolex Calibre 1520, non-chronometer, 19,800 bph, bidirectional automatic winding.
• Bezel: Bidirectional aluminium insert with silver triangle at 12 o’clock containing a tritium-filled pearl.

In its original state, the dial would have been a period-correct tritium unit marked “Swiss – T<25” below 6 o’clock. 

The Role of Service Dials and Hands

Rolex has long taken a practical approach to servicing. When watches are sent in for maintenance, the company prioritises legibility, water resistance, and reliability. If the dial lume has degraded or the hands show corrosion, Rolex often replaces them with current production components. For the 5513, this means fitting a later Swiss service dial and matching hands.

A Swiss service dial on a 5513 is characterised by:

• “SWISS” printed at 6 o’clock with no “T” markings, as these later dials use Luminova or Super-LumiNova rather than tritium.
• Glossy black finish with applied white gold surrounds on the hour markers (in most cases), though some earlier service dials retained a matte appearance.
• Crisp, bright white lume that does not patinate in the same way as tritium.

The Case and Bezel

The 5513 case of this period retained the slimmer crown guards introduced after the pointed crown guard era of the early 1960s. The lugs have a distinct bevel running along the edge, a detail that can soften or disappear entirely with polishing over decades. The acrylic crystal gives the watch a warm, slightly distorted look at certain angles, a feature many enthusiasts find more appealing than the hard-edged clarity of sapphire.

The bezel assembly is friction-fit and bidirectional, allowing the wearer to align the zero marker with the minute hand for timing purposes. Original aluminium inserts from the 1970s have a font style and layout distinct from later replacements, and many show fading or ghosting from years of sun exposure. On a serviced example, the insert may also have been replaced, appearing darker and closer to factory-new.

Movement: Calibre 1520

By 1973, the 5513 was powered by the Rolex Calibre 1520, a 26-jewel automatic movement that beat at 19,800 vibrations per hour. It is a robust, straightforward calibre without the chronometer certification of the 5512 or later 14060, but it offers excellent reliability and ease of service. The slower beat rate compared to modern Rolex movements gives the seconds hand a slightly more pronounced step, another hallmark of vintage charm.

The Calibre 1520 features:

• Bi-directional rotor winding
• Screw balance with Microstella adjustment
• Kif shock protection
• 42-hour power reserve

Historical Significance

The 5513 occupies a unique place in Rolex’s history. It was the last of the no-date Submariners to retain the vintage tool-watch DNA before the gradual shift towards luxury sport watches in the 1980s and beyond. It straddles an era when Rolex watches were still considered professional equipment but were beginning to find their way onto the wrists of non-divers as status symbols.

The longevity of the 5513’s production meant it was a familiar sight in popular culture, from military operations to film appearances. Its clean, date-free dial has continued to influence Rolex design, inspiring the later 14060 and 124060 references.

Final Thoughts

A 1973 Rolex Submariner 5513 with a Swiss service dial and hands represents a compelling mix of eras. The case, movement, and serial number root it firmly in the golden age of Rolex tool watches, while the later dial and hands bring it closer to contemporary performance standards.

For the collector who values daily wearability over untouched originality, this combination offers the best of both worlds: vintage presence without the fragility or legibility compromises of aged tritium. It may not command the premiums of an all-original matte-dial example, but it delivers the same essential Submariner experience—robust, versatile, and timeless.

In the end, the 5513’s appeal lies in its enduring design and proven capability. Whether in original or serviced form, it remains one of the most versatile and iconic dive watches ever made, equally at home in a collection or on the wrist in the water, just as Rolex intended half a century ago.

Case in very good condition. Minimal wear visible. Sharp lugs. Chamfers visible. Bracelet in good condition with some stretch. End links loose.

Dial and hands are service replacement and in new condition.