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Lot Essay
The present watch is an excellent example of a Ref. 5513 dating from the 1960s, featuring the rare and much sought-after "underline dial". The attentive observer will notice the small silvered line underneath the designation Oyster Perpetual. This line can only be found on some Rolex Submariner watches dating from circa 1960 to 1966.
Early version reference 5513 watches, such as this watch, sport black gloss dials. The radars of any collector should go on alert when coming across the opportunity of finding such a nicely reflecting original dial with the rare underline feature. Moreover, the watch features pointed crown guards, placing it firmly in a timeline from 1962 to circa 1964. Pointed crown guards are also referred to as "cornino" by Italian Rolex lovers. All later Submariner cases feature the now standard rounded crown guard shoulders.
Black gloss dials must be regarded as the ultimate art in dial manufacturing since they reveal a rich complexity of different layers applied to the metal base. In fact, the gilt writing and minute markings are not printed on the black background but are underneath and shine through in negative relief. However to further enhance its sophistication, the silvered underline is superimposed and printed onto the black background.
Reference 5513 was launched in 1962 and depth rated to 200 meters (660 feet), fitted with the 8 mm. crown and pointed crown guards. The non-chronometer version used the same dial as the early reference 5512. The bezel displays minute divisions for the first fifteen minutes and has a silver triangle. The dials are black lacquer and have gilt printing. As of 1964, the designation "Swiss T<25" was added to the bottom of the dial. In the late 1960s the dials changed to feature all-white printing.
For other examples of reference 5513 with underline dial see Rolex Submariner Story by France & Guido Mondani, Lele Ravagnani, Guido Mondani Editore, pp. 58 & 59.
Early version reference 5513 watches, such as this watch, sport black gloss dials. The radars of any collector should go on alert when coming across the opportunity of finding such a nicely reflecting original dial with the rare underline feature. Moreover, the watch features pointed crown guards, placing it firmly in a timeline from 1962 to circa 1964. Pointed crown guards are also referred to as "cornino" by Italian Rolex lovers. All later Submariner cases feature the now standard rounded crown guard shoulders.
Black gloss dials must be regarded as the ultimate art in dial manufacturing since they reveal a rich complexity of different layers applied to the metal base. In fact, the gilt writing and minute markings are not printed on the black background but are underneath and shine through in negative relief. However to further enhance its sophistication, the silvered underline is superimposed and printed onto the black background.
Reference 5513 was launched in 1962 and depth rated to 200 meters (660 feet), fitted with the 8 mm. crown and pointed crown guards. The non-chronometer version used the same dial as the early reference 5512. The bezel displays minute divisions for the first fifteen minutes and has a silver triangle. The dials are black lacquer and have gilt printing. As of 1964, the designation "Swiss T<25" was added to the bottom of the dial. In the late 1960s the dials changed to feature all-white printing.
For other examples of reference 5513 with underline dial see Rolex Submariner Story by France & Guido Mondani, Lele Ravagnani, Guido Mondani Editore, pp. 58 & 59.