ubiquitous

If you decide to go with this one, the original dial to the watch is always best, as well as the other parts. Overall, what condition is this piece in? I am assuming you've seen it in person? Any service history with it? EDIT to add that the above is assuming that the watch is all original. If the dial is a replacement, try to find out who replaced it. This is why I mentioned service records...

Nice FD! Any mods to the 13B?

Well.... Perhaps a 4130 based Daytona is in the forecast somewhere... I need to round out my Daytona collection, and I am not sure that the mod 7750 seconds @ 6:00 116520 is for me. Speaking of the 4130... I can only comment on this caliber from what I've read; apparently, it's easier to service than the Zenith, as it's organized better- The winding functions and chronograph functions are all self contained under their own respective bridge, and the balance is also now under a bridge (one of the features that I've always liked about the Rolex 3135). The stopwatch function is also more precise as it uses a vertical friction clutch, so that eliminates the little hop that one typically sees when starting the stopwatch. There are numerous other improvements, but it seems that Rolex has really studied the EP400 during it's tenure in the 16520, and have come up with a very nice design of their own. Still... I myself prefer the El Primero as it is a proven workhorse, well constructed and thought out (as proven here on this review) and to me has better aesthetics in subdial layout. Of course, I also love the 36.000bph beat; something that one wouldn't get in the reworked Rolex 4030 El Primero... Thanks, by the way, for the very kind comments, everyone Much appreciated, as always! Regards, R

If it's a keeper... I'll help you get it back together again

I guess that makes two of us. But, I have to have buttered toast with mine... Nummy

Does anyone have any old factory Omega SMP's they're considering giving the heave-ho?

Hmmm... T'is a good question. To some... Perhaps modification and enhancement of a rep watch is worth the extra cost. If a watch has genuine parts content, then that should also be taken into account. But, is the watch's intrinsic value really that much more with mods? Perhaps not. At the end of the day, a rep is still just a rep... But if the watch is modified to improve it or to correct flaws, someone may enjoy that watch just a little more and might be willing to pay a higher price for a watch that has improvements or genuine parts fitted (correctly, I might add). So, in the end, I believe that a watch is worth whatever someone is willing to pay for it.

I usually tear my watches down to an empty case when I get them. But it's usually because I end up using only the case for a project

The crown will clear once fully seated on the threads. The case at the CG base is offset a bit to help with clearance; in addition, the bottom of the crown has a beveled angle to also help clear.

For you disposable guys... Let me PM you my address so you know where to send those watches once you're ready to throw them away. I'll cover the shipping costs

This is why I keep my collection small at 10 watches However, between my 2 El Primero Daytonas and my Valjoux 23 Daytona, I'm looking at $1500+ for servicing on these alone. But, if I amortize the cost across 5 years, it's a little easier for me to swallow...

Nice looking 5513, and even nicer photos!! With the new pics posted, it definitely looks more it's age

tvt- Indeed, you are correct; for the money, this could be a very nice watch, especially if the dial was relumed correctly (ziggy wuld be the only one I'd trust with this job, BTW). Not exactly one that I would consider an investment piece, though who knows? Pricing and value, even with a relumed dial, may go up to a point where one could fetch a nice return on it someday At any rate... Pricing is a bit on the low end- I've seen a few of these in the $7k range up to $12k or so; with one of the $7k examples, the dial was original, but with the marker lume in poor condition. I imagine that someone just getting into vintage collecting may be tempted enough to buy, or perhaps someone who is more interested in the watch for what it is, vs. how collectible it could be...

Sweet jeebus! That 45mm PO just shadows everything! That's one big mofo! Great Omega collection, BT! Now all you need is a vintage Moonwatch and vintage SM300

Dunno what it is... But the Daytona just has a sort of strange allure to it. I've always loved them... Vintage 6239's, 6263's 6265's, El Primero 16520's, and even the modern 116520's, though they are last on my list. They have always been intriguing to me, and so building my own 16520's has been my way to satisfy the desire

I've seen 9 or 10 of these dials that I can recall off the top of my head; some in pics and a few in hand. My comments on it's authenticity are based on my experience. I posted the first pic I found in my files of the dial I am comparing to. If you are basing your comments as a fake on a dial that you have seen pics of, please post them.

I think the mainspring must be quite long on ths one, though since it is advised not to open the barrel, I cannot say for sure (maybe Ziggy can crack the old barrel open for a look-see; that is, if he is interested as well).

The moment it was relumed, the dial is no longer considered 100% original. It is now tampered with and collectors do not desire pieces like this; only original tritium will do for them, and since it's the collectors who are buying and paying the prices for these pieces...

Hmmmm... Maybe it's just me, but this looks like a bevel that's seen some polishing...

It's future home... Thanks, Rob! As always, you've done a phenominal job! You're the only one I trust with my watches... And, as this review goes to show, that's with good reason Your work speaks for itself... Incredible!

Yes, I just replied to your PM... I am still firm in the belief that this is not a redial; this dial is I believe a Bey. produced piece. It's not a typical HK redial as used by jdm_k20, or CWP, as the fonts used on those are quite specific, and easy to identify (I've had a fair number of these redials, BTW). As for the crystal... It wouldn't be domed anyways, as it's production is too far out; the domed acrylics were used earlier- 60's into the early 70's. This watch, with a 6.7M s/n would be very early 80's; they quit using the domed crystal by this point, and have transitioned to the 'flat' T-19. Crown looks fine... Tube looks fine. Case looks a little too good to be true, as it's a little too clean and perfect, but who knows.

Dial is correct. Have seen several like this- Remember, Rolex has had 3 different dial makers, each of them using different fonts, coronets, etc. Chronomat's And another (left) As for the crystal... To me, it looks like the most recent version; domed/superdomed crystals don't rise up that high on the edges and don't have the bevel on the edge. The distortion could be a by-product of polishing scratches out, which I have seen before.

Don't forget... Rolex had 3 dial makers during this era. So, there are variations between those as well within s/n time frames depending on who printed.

$6500... I probably would have taken that one at that price if it had box and papers. These reds are starting to climb...

Looks to be about the same quality as the one you had to recently fix for Arthur