Bill
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Mike - Moderator from Rolexforums summed it up very well.
These are his words verbatim dates 0ct 16 2011
Early 5513s & 5512s can both be found with cal. 1530 movements. However, with the introduction of a free sprung balance with micro stella adjusters on the balance wheel & a Breguet overcoiled hairspring on the cal. 1560 ca. 1959-60 (and improved with the cal. 1570, ca. 1965) and the relative ease of achieving SCOC specs due to these improvements, these movements became Rolex's choice for their Chronometer-grade watches. The cal. 1520 was developed as a cheaper alternative for non-Chronometer watches only--Air-King, 5513 Sub, etc.--ca. 1965, as it uses a flat hairspring and a normal 'stick' regulator.
As an aside, there is a school of that holds that the very earliest 5512s (those manufactured prior to the ca. 1961-2 intro of the 5513) were not all submitted for chronometer testing, and this is why a majority of the earliest 5512 dials bear no OCC or SCOC markings and also why one can find cal. 1530 movements in both pre-cal. 1560 5512s and the early 5513s. In fact, throughout the years of its use, the cal. 1530 is only very infrequently found in SCOC watches and much more often in Precision or Super-Precision models. But while this is an interesting theory it remains only that for now.
Source: rolexforums
I hope Mike does not mind sharing.
Rolex 5513 Gilt Era 1962 - 1966 the full report. Repost.
The Rolex 5513 Glossy Gilt era. Left to right two matching Swiss - t<25 from 1964, Swiss only upper underline from 1963 and bottom Swiss - t<25 Bart Simpson coronet. There is something magical about the glossy gilt dials present in the many vintage Rolex ...
Fantastic report, Bill. I enjoy it a lot.
It's funny I keep seeing the CR 5513 floating around the market lately. The price of the less pristine dial sell higher than those early mint 5512! Rarity is one thing but I worry about the authenticity of these CR 5513. Nevertheless, I do think the 5513 ...
We are just looking a small +/- 4 year period of the rolex 5513 production
Imagine the variety across all 23 years of production for the 5513. I am stuck in gilt mode. I love all the 5512, 5513 and 1675 gilt models. Best Bill PS got your mail responded.
I like your approach a lot.
To cross the informations you can get here and there with your personal observations is the way, the ONLY way to go. I am trying to do the same job with the GMTs, and I find it easier to do with the 6542 than with all the variationsof the 1675. As the 654...
You are correct in every sense
I wish we could say categorically that x = y but we are talking vintage Rolex. All we can categorically accept is what we have observed. But even then then we remain in doubt. For me I am seeking standard not absolutes. I hate the people that that to shut...
Thank you Bill!!!
this is a comprehensive guide to my psychological self destruction :) what a fantastic band! thanks & Ciao!
nice job Bill!
well done! these gilt subs are beautiful and spectacular in real! Matt
Very well done post & an enjoyable read, Bill--kudos! One point...
...that I would clarify is that it is really the switch to the chronometer cal. 1560 movement in the 5512 ca. late 1962 that precipitates the creation of the non-chronometer 5513, which actually was produced with the old cal. 1530 until around 1964-5. The...
I will update the report with your comments on the movement thx
I agree completely with on the feet first I put it in because it was a bright line and I hope it will save a few future collectors the surprise. It was offered for sale by an auction house but it did not sell. Good thing. Thanks for your feedback. Bill
Wow. Thanks Bill....
This is a magnificent report. The gilt 5513 is probably my favorite (realistically obtainable) vintage Rolex, and I know a lot more about it now than I did when I awoke this morning. Many thanks for taking the time to put this together. darren
Realistically obtainable - keywords
You are right they are still a little under the radar but carry a lot of the attributes of the 5512 gilts where affordability for prime examples no longer exists. They are equally as hard to find with a short production life of the gilt dials as is the ca...
Bill, this is a superb report
It makes me realise that my collection is like swiss cheese.... FULL of holes Just a glorious set of watches
Thanks for the kind words....
Thanks for the kind words. Your collection is very complete without a doubt. Looking forward to sharing these examples with you. Best Bill
I hope there are not...
I hope there are not too many holes in the report but I tried my best through observation. Thanks Bill
I am glad you enjoyed...
I am glad you enjoyed it. As I get feedback I will update it. Thanks Bill
Just returning the favor. You...
Just returning the favor. You make many Sunday's for all of us here in the forum. Thanks Bill
Absolute the feet first is a ...
Redial not original. I included it to dispel it. They never existed but it was for sale at a large auction house. It did not sell. Best Bill
Detailed Analysis
Dear Bill, I much enjoyed this detailed report! Rolex is so confusing so this information certainly helps. Just have a few questions: 1) Is that 5512 did come with Chronometer certificates because the early ones did have have that written on their dials? ...
Here are some answers to...
Here are some answers to your questions Just have a few questions: 1) Is that 5512 did come with Chronometer certificates because the early ones did have have that written on their dials? A - Yes that was a distinguishing feature of the 5512 which is COSC...
Thank you
Great thanks so much! Just one more clarification: Early 5512 do not have COSC on the dial, did they still come with a certificate? With many thanks Edmond
best part dear Bill
is price list ;) Seriously thank you very much for this future reference post Sincerely Damjan
Not a bad evolution
From a mere $175 the price is up 100 times over nearly 50 years. I used some financial calculators and got some interesting number. If the price of an item was 100 in 1963 it\'s present price equivalent would be approximately 1600. 10,000 of today\'s mone...
So in fact
we are paying 17 times more than our grandfathers for same thing ;) Cordially Damjan
Extraordinary report Bill!! You got an amazing amount...
... of information and facts, and well illustrated with great photographs. Also beautiful specimens you show! I thank you so much for sharing this most important and interesting info with us! Best cordial regards, Abel.
Thank you I am glad you enjoyed the report
I can think of nothing better than to share with the community. Best regards Bill
Very enjoyable reading, Bill!
I really appreciate you delving into this subject, as the 5513 is a favorite of mine. Your report is a great resource for lovers of Rolexes from this era. Thank you! Cheers, Daos
Glad you enjoyed it...
I did not know you had a hidden affection for Rolex. Bravo. Your choice is perfect with any 5513 or Rolex sports model. Best Bill
A nice reference article for the 5513 gilt fan.
It was fun researching but as we know there are always surprises with Rolex. Thanks Bill Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE
I am glad you enjoyed the report
So much to to learn and enjoy from the Rolex Gilt era. Best Bill
Great Post
Bill, I found this post to be very informative. Quick question thought, were there any non gilt dials produced in 1965/66 with a serial number in the 1.5m range? I own a 5513 with a 1.5m serial number and from looking at the dial, it does not appear to be...
Your dial seems to be correct
The matt dialed 5513 probably started in the 1,5xx. Xxx + range but as always there can be overlaps in both direction but most matte dial meters first started to appear in late 1966 to early 1967. Please feel free to upload a picture. But to me your confi...
This is a great knowledge for me, as im very new to vintage. Gilt,gilt,gilt! ..
Thanks for sharing...its very helpful
So much to enjoy with the Rolex Gilt
Hi Logan I am glad you enjoyed the report on your journey through the world of gilts. Best Bill
Its a free knowledge from you!, free from the "Rolex school fee"..
Which is very expensive and a big ouch once you caught the wrong one! So im very grateful and thankful for your time posting a great report. Its very useful and your collection make me drooling LOL
Dear Sir, Very interesting! Did I miss the answer?
"By: Le Monde Edmond : November 25th, 2012-11:46 Great thanks so much! Just one more clarification: Early 5512 do not have COSC on the dial, did they still come with a certificate? With many thanks Edmond" I hope Mr. Edmond does not object to me quoting h...
Yes the 5512 2 line chapter ring.
The 2 line 5512 chapter has no cosc as it only has two lines of text the 4 line 5512 has cosc hence 4 line chapter ring gilt, non chapter ring and matt 4 line 5522. Bill
I think there may be some confusion- Rolex 5512 is based on COSC movement. BUT!!!
We know this is Rolex and the are many experts who can justify one way or another. It seems that there could have been different movements in the first (1959-1961) 5512 2 line which were capable cosc but what is confusing the issue here seems to be that t...
Sorry...a 5512 2 line might be a chronometer...
Dear sir, So the first (1959-1961) 5512 2 line could have had different movements and may or may not be certified by the COSC. Very interesting, and further intriguing. Which movement is in the 5512 2 line you refer to in the example image? Regards
Mike - Moderator from Rolexforums summed it up very well.
These are his words verbatim dates 0ct 16 2011 Early 5513s & 5512s can both be found with cal. 1530 movements. However, with the introduction of a free sprung balance with micro stella adjusters on the balance wheel & a Breguet overcoiled hairspring on th...
Very late, but luckily not too late.. I stumbled over this awesome & splendid write-up & pictorial !.. Read & re-read it twice, and..
.. have also bookmarked it.. It is such an educative, comprehensive & valuable post. - Simply great, Bill !! The points around your " borders & likelihoods", and inter-relationship between 5513 vs 5512 and their respective movements, are so well taken. - ...
Thank you for the Repost, Bill
Using the search tab I have found countless amazing articles written before my time, and I’m quite sure there are countless more. I would love to see some of the old greats pop-up here and there if possible.
I am consistently astonished by not only the depth and breadth of the knowledge possessed by you and some other Forum members
but also your willingness to share. I also enjoyed reading your piece on vintage Rolex paperwork. The presence of "pixelation" is also a tell tale sign of fakery in other vintage documents and media. Thanks.
wow...great details Bill !
very informative & impressive to see how Rolex kept production of this model consistent for set of years between models - exactly shows how Rolex ensures the supply-demand for key models ! i am much assured now that i've 47600 chances to secure my bir...