1984 Rolex Submariner 5513

Let’s say you wanted a classic Rolex Submariner to wear on a daily basis. What would you choose? If it was us, it would be this 1984 Rolex Submariner 5513. Here’s why…

A classic combination: 5513 style, plexi, modern face, and heavy solid bracelet

A Rolex Submariner is a sports watch, not a dress watch. It’s intended to be worn everywhere, but especially on the boat, at the shore, and even in the water. As a sports watch, it should be solid, reliable, and readable with no frills like a date, power reserve, or other complications.

The Submariner 5513 is a great example of this kind of rugged, go-anywhere ideal. It’s classy enough to be worn with a suit but masculine enough for jeans and boots. And is it ever readable, with those classic hands and markers!

The ideal 5513 hasn’t been prettied up with a sapphire crystal, and this is one of the last of the breed with plexiglass. But it does have the prettier white gold outline dial rather than the old Mark V Maxi. I prefer that once the lume runs out, since the shiny gold outlines on the markers make them visible in low light.

Then there’s the bracelet. Classic Submariners came with a folded steel bracelet, the 9315. But Rolex switched to a solid link bracelet, the 93150, and most owners made that jump too. This watch has that solid steel option, and we would go for it rather than stick to the old style.

A solid link 93150 bracelet completes the picture

Prices for vintage Rolex Submariners are all over the lot, ranging from the outrageous to the attainable. For a daily wearer, this watch is definitely on the attainable side, listed at € 4,900 (US$6,700) by a German seller on Chrono24. It’s not a super rare piece, but this is the nicest we could find in terms of features and price!