5513 as a daily wearer?

[dbt001]

Hi, all. I'm new to the forum, having been drawn in by a fascination with milsubs that has grown into the idea of buying a 5513. I've lurked for weeks and gathered lots of great info, but if there's a thread that addresses this particular flavor of "should I buy vintage," i haven't found it.

I've owned vintage watches before (a '60s Seamaster, '40s Bulova and Hamilton) but over the last 15 years I've mostly worn an SMP that I bought, it has to be said, because I couldn't afford a Sub. Ever since I was a kid, when I think of "watch," the picture in my mind is a Submariner. Now that I can afford it, I'm getting serious about it buying one this year. I'm not in a hurry.

I love the vintage look of a matte dial 5513 with a plexi. My budget is around $5,000 so that seems doable. My question is, are there any significant differences between a 5513 and a 14060 that would make the day-to-day experience of wearing a 5513, I don't know, more annoying?

I don't plan to baby the watch. I probably wouldn't do anything too wet or strenuous with it on, but I also don't want to go into a panic if I bang it against a doorframe. I know that I get annoyed when I scratch the plexi crystal on some of my other watches, but that's what Polywatch is for.

What should I consider?

Thanks very much!

Dave

[KDA]

I wear a 1968 5513 as a daily watch and get a lot of pleasure out of it. Buy, wear and enjoy!

[vintagewaferthin]

If its a fully serviced 5513 then it would be a great daily in my opinion.

[Kingair]

Why not . . . if you buy it . . . wear it !

HAGOne

[Vincent65]

why not?!

[paltak]

I'm usually rocking my 1967 5513 doing all kinds of things around the house. It's tough and it gains 4 seconds per month!

[swish77]

The 14060M might technically be more durable (newer movement, sapphire crystal, most likely newer bracelet, etc ...) However, there's no reason an old 5512, 5513, or 1680 can't be a daily wearer, especially if it's properly serviced. Keep in mind that a bigger question should be which do you prefer. They are very different. The 5513s (not including the late ones that had white gold around the hour plots like the 14060s) have a warmth not found on the 14060s. You should decide whether you prefer the vintage look of an old Sub, or a more modern look of the newer version. Can't go wrong either way. Both beautiful and iconic. Good luck!

[dbt001]

Thanks, all. I really appreciate the replies and you've confirmed what I was thinking (or hoping). I definitely prefer the warmth and character of a vintage 5513. I was just worried that I couldn't wear it daily without being afraid of it, but everything I've read here (and that you have confirmed) tells me that, properly serviced, it's a tough watch, and if anything goes wrong (crown breaks, crystal cracks, whatever) it can be fixed.

[dbt001]

Originally Posted by paltak

I'm usually rocking my 1967 5513 doing all kinds of things around the house. It's tough and it gains 4 seconds per month!

That's beautiful. Now I just need to find one of those. (Although that one is close enough to my birth year of '65 to make me wonder if I should go that route, although I think I'll just find the best 5513 I can for the money, and maybe look for a birth year DJ next year.)

[classicwatchparts]

The only annoyances is that if your movement is not running smoothly nor accurately. Get it serviced before plan on wearing it. If it looses 5 mins a week then you will hate the watch if you miss some important meetings.

[dbt001]

Thanks. That makes sense. I do plan to buy one that has been recently serviced, or get it serviced after I buy. Seems like the best way to have peace of mind that I don't have to worry about it.

[KDA]

Here's mine...ImageUploadedByTapatalk1359049494.995063.jpg

[GeoGio Greece]

...and mine