1981 Rolex 5513 Maxi IV Submariner

Description: Though the 5512 / 5513 / 1680, at some point, were produced within the same window, certain enthusiasts and collectors consider Maxi Dial 5513s the last “true” vintage Submariner.

5513s are often described as spartan, defined by their dedication to utility. Whose matte variations and simply-adorned dials serve testament to Rolex’s tool heritage; keystones of a pre-‘Date Window’, pre-boardroom, pre-18k yellow gold era – an era watch design succumbed to and became byproduct of fashion, and, therefore, death as a tool. And so, Maxi 5513s with their easy to read faces and steel cases, large lume placement, uncluttered two-lines at six and sans date-function are considered by purists last of a dying breed, an important part of chronohistory.

Maxi dials Mk IVs are distinguished by the ‘Zig-Zag Submariner S’, and the depth rating’s equal-sign alignment to the ‘end of the A’ directly above. Following the 5513 matte Maxi was a gloss dial iteration with white gold lume surround; an ancestor and missing link to watches as objects of fashion, and less the tool-fascination that defined Rolex watches of the 50s and 60s.

Rolex 5513 Maxi Mk IVs, the last pure tool variegation of thirty years – endangered and collectable and truly vintage.

This 5513 remains unpolished, whose casemetal is thick and bevels taper softly into lug ends. The black insert has faded into a soft grey, its matte black dial has no blemishes, and the hand and hour makers’ lume has taken on a lovely pumpkin hue.

Case: Unpolished, thick lugs

Insert: Softly faded black, a very dark grey

Dial: Unscathed matte black face, hour maker and hand lume patinated into a rich pumpkin

Bracelet: Oyster bracelet, minimal drop