Rolex
Submariner
5513
The non-date Submariner that defined a generation of dive watches.
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Overview
The Rolex Submariner reference 5513 is a non-date, 40 mm stainless steel diver produced across nearly three decades, from 1962 to 1989. Powered by the reliable calibre 1520 and later the 1530, it represents the longest-running single reference in the classic Submariner lineage. Its extended production span yielded a rich variety of dial and bezel configurations that continue to captivate serious collectors.
History
Introduced in 1962 as a successor to earlier Submariner references, the 5513 was positioned as the non-COSC-certified counterpart to the chronometer-rated 5512, allowing Rolex to offer the Submariner silhouette at a broader reach within the professional tool-watch market. Over its long production life it transitioned through several distinct dial generations — from early matte gilt examples with applied gilt indices to later matte and ultimately gloss configurations — each reflecting the evolving aesthetics and printing conventions of its era. The reference was finally retired in 1989, by which point it had become the definitive template for the modern Submariner. Today the 5513 is regarded as a cornerstone reference for Rolex collectors, with its many dial variants forming the basis of dedicated sub-specialisms within the hobby.
Notable points
- Produced continuously from 1962 to 1989, making it one of the longest-running references in Rolex Submariner history.
- Powered by the calibre 1520 in earlier examples and the calibre 1530 in later production, both non-chronometer-certified movements.
- Dial evolution spans early matte gilt 'gilt dial' examples, transitional matte dials with white printing, and later gloss dials — each a distinct collector category.
- The absence of a date complication gives the 5513 a cleaner dial architecture than its 1680 sibling, a quality many collectors prize.
- Shares its 40 mm stainless steel case profile with the 5512, yet was produced in far greater numbers, making it the more commonly encountered classic Submariner reference.
