Rolex Oyster Perpetual Submariner reference 5513 from 1966 with a gilt dial

This glossy gilt dial Rolex 5513 Submariner has been produced in 1966. This is a  rare and beloved specific type of Submariner due to neat meters first gilt dial.

Now let’s get a bit deeper into this watch. It’s a 1966 Rolex 5513 with a gorgeous faded fat font Long 5 MK2 bezel and it comes on a riveted Oyster bracelet. I particularly like the vintage look and feel of this beautiful rugged diver. This is vintage at its best.

History of the 5513

Rolex debuted the Submariner in 1953 as one of the world's first dive watches, designed to withstand pressure and accurately measure time underwater. The iconic Submariner features large white tritium hour markers and Mercedes hands against a contrasting black dial, ensuring legibility in low visibility conditions. It has been adopted by notable figures such as Jacques Cousteau, Che Guevara, and James Bond, with Sean Connery famously sporting a big crown Sub in 'Dr. No', 'Goldfinger', and 'Thunderball'. Ref. 5513 is the longest-running Submariner reference, produced from 1962 to 1989, with rare pointed crown guards replaced by rounded ones. It uses the calibre 1520/1530 movement and has a non-chronometer certified dial with two lines of text. Early executions had a rare 'meters first dial', printing the depth rating in meters before feet, which was later switched to feet first to appeal to the growing American market.

Despite being introduced over 60 years ago, the Submariner remains one of Rolex's most popular and recognizable models, known for its durability, precision, and classic design. It has undergone several updates and improvements over the years, but it has managed to maintain its signature look and feel.

Today, the Submariner is available in various references, including the Submariner Date with a date display and the Submariner No-Date without one. Rolex has also released special editions and limited editions of the Submariner, such as the Kermit, the Hulk, and the Smurf, which have their own unique features and designs.

Overall, the Submariner is an enduring icon of horology, representing Rolex's commitment to quality and innovation. Whether you're a professional diver or a watch enthusiast, the Submariner is a timeless and reliable choice that will never go out of style.

Depth rating

The Submariner dials started featuring the depth rating in late 1955 and became a standard feature on all models by 1956. Initially, the depth rating was printed in meters first, a practice that continued until around 1969. However, Rolex eventually switched to a feet first depth rating, supposedly to cater to the growing US market.

So what is a gilt dial?

Collectors prize the Submariner with gilt dials and 'meters first' dials, which were discontinued in 1968 (1970 for ref. 1680).

Rolex produced the 5513 reference meters first for only a very short period with a gilt dial.

Between 1962 and around 1964/65/66, the Submariner had gilt dials with 'SWISS' written at 6 o'clock, which were later replaced by matte dials with the new wording 'SWISS-T<25'. These subtle variations make the Submariner a coveted piece for watch collectors.

Now begin with the question what exactly is a “gilt” dial, and why is it so highly coveted? As some may know, the very definition of the word gilt is “covered thinly with gold leaf or gold paint”. It is important to understand the technique how a gilt dial was actually made. The gilt writing on Rolex dials was in fact done first and afterwards a lacquer coating was placed on top of the dial.

So how are these gilt dials exactly produced?

The gold colour on a gilt dial is not ink, but the underlying metal, revealed in negative relief. To produce these dial you have to follow these steps:

1. make a brass dial
2. polish the brass dial
3. the dial can then also be gold, silver or copper plated
4. the desired design — text, name, logo, markers — is printed or stamped with a special clear coating which is soluble, non-conductive ink.
5. paint is galvanically applied to the dial; the applied clear coating prevents this paint from binding to those parts of the dial. This is done in a galvanic tank in an electrical process similar to gold plating. The colour is most commonly black, but it doesn’t have to be, the same process can be used to create any coloured dial.
6. to reveal the dial design the plate is ‘washed’, removing the soluble ink and allowing the bare metal to shine through.
7. to add extra text, the process can be repeated if further layers of colour are desired for the final design
8. lastly, a clear lacquer coating is added to the dial to give it a “glossy”, shiny finish

Needless to say this is a very laborious and intensive process.

Condition report

This stunning example of the Rolex Submariner 5513 reference comes with a  rare glossy gilt dial and  is in really good honest vintage condition. It has all the good part, such as period correct bracelet and bezel what makes this a great looking vintage piece.

This Submariner has a stunning and rare gilt meters first dial. The dial that has a beautifully even gloss black paint with no cracking, only some small scratches and full and intact lume plots with an excellent matching hand set. Super dome plexi crystal, under which the dial markers are warm and creamy with sharp and bold gilt text, a truly original and well preserved dial that classes this example in the premium range for condition.

If you’re looking for an honest and no questions example, this is it, a true rarity as these rarely become available in this condition. Check the high res pics, even more stunning in the flesh, and no disappointments.

• Dial: Original beautiful gilt dial. The dial has a really nice even patina with a kind of creamy colour tritium.
• Hands: Original Tritium steel hands. The creamy patina of the hands match the patina of the hour markers perfectly.
• Case: case has been polished before. The lugs are still thick & even showing bevels.. lugs and crown guards that has been well preserved and looked after. Reference & serial numbers are fully legible. Case shows wear but very reasonable for its age (Please see pictures). Inside case and movement is sharp and ultra clean with no corrosion, beautifully aged. Correct original single coronet double lock crown (without later 3 dots). Serial number in the correct range with clear numbers between lugs and correct inner caseback stamp dating it to third Quarter - 111/1966.
• Bezel: really nice LONG 5 bezel. The LONG 5 bezel is the earliest bezel without the red triangle faded from black to grey. This bezel was only produced for a very short time in the mid 1960s. The bezel has its original tritium pearl. The key tell on this one is the long five feature in the 50 marker.  It is the interior of the five that is elongated vertically rather than in the MK1 which is square..
• Bracelet: excellent Rolex riveted C&I bracelet marked 1/71. To minimize duties on imported watches sold in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Mexico, Olex requested bracelets of slightly lower quality from manufacturers outside of Switzerland. One notable manufacturer, C&I, based in the United States, produced significant quantities for approximately twenty years beginning in 1959. These bracelets had thinner, hollow rivets and a lighter gauge steel compared to their Swiss-made equivalents. Additionally, the U.S.-made bracelets had unmarked end pieces that tended to fit loosely.. Bracelet has some stretch and wear but is in really great wearable condition.
• Movement: Bought serviced. Just checked by our watchmaker.. Running perfectly with a one year service warranty. The watch carries the self-winding automatic 1520 movement polished decorations and circular Côtes de Genève finishing. The movement features 26 jewels and a bi-directional central rotor, beating at 19,800 A/h, with a power reserve of 42-hours. The movement is clean, and during the time of testing the watch was fully functional.
• Accessories: None.
• Notes: Absolutely stunning example of a super desirable Rolex Submariner 5513 with an attractive dial, original hand, original bezel and original riveted bracelet. Very hard to find these in this condition.

Overall, the Rolex Submariner 5513 is noteworthy, both for its design and execution. This Rolex Submariner 5513 is remarkably well preserved. 

This particular watch has just undergone a full service. This work was carried out by our Rolex authorized watchmaker using Rolex parts.

As with all of our pre-owned watches this watch comes with a full 12 month warranty with ourselves that will be invoked from the day of purchase.

Viewings can be arranged at our office by appointment.

If you put it on your wrist, you feel you have locked and Wrist Icon!

• Brand: Rolex
• Model: Submariner
• Serial number: 14676xx
• Reference: 5513
• Year: Circa 1966
• caliber: Automatic 1520 movement w/date
• Case: It has a stainless steel case with screw down case back. waterproof screw-down crown, rotatable time-lapse diver's bezel, acrylic crystal.      Excellent case with reasonable wear from use. Inner caseback has printed III 66
• Bezel and insert: comes with a lightly faded fat font LONG 5 Mark II bezel insert ( first fat font after the red triangle MARK I. It is a sharp original bezel with original "Hooked 5" insert with Tritium dot present.
• Dimensions: 40 mm diameter;
• Crystal: Plexiglass
• Dial: gilt meters first dial with warm creamy tritium hour markers.
• Caliber: automatic-winding caliber 1520
• Bracelet/Strap: stainless steel Rolex C&I period correct rivited folded oyster bracelet with a Rolex signed  flip lock buckle. It wears really good, Bracelet dated to 1 71(1^th quarter 1971) and has 10 links and fits easily a 18.5cm wrist. Bracelet has been polished and the Rolex crown on the clasp is nice & fully working
• Lug Width: 20mm
• Box/Papers: only watch