thoughts on this 5513 dial

[highoeyazmuhudee]

just wondering if this is a good "refurb/reproduction", its hard to tell sometimes with so many vintage sub dial variations and such, experts chime in... basically just waiting for Ubi to say 'boo'

[freddy333]

Those tiny serifs at the ends of the 3/6/9 markers always make me wince a bit when I see them on gens because so few 5513s had them. And most of those were either ft-first, the military version (with the T on the dial) or service dials. This is the classic 5513 (gen) that I would aim at

[Ronin]

Reminds of a MBW dial, but with the I-beam 3-6-9 markers. Personally, I am not as big of a fan of the R O LEX spacing. Although this was common from 1.5mil serial number in 1966 off and on until about 1973. Given the meters first, this would most likely be late 60's.

The "Swiss - T <25" however is not correct font/spacing to match with the meters first.

Check out the dial archive on VRF: http://www.network54.com/Forum/539572/

[Ronin]

Below is my UBI 5513 (with the I-Beams that make Freddy333 wince ;-) ) but this to me is more representative of a 1974->1977 model. Note the ROLEX tightness, and Swiss marking at bottom. (IIRC this is NDT and not perfect either, but works). [edit to add: the dial you posted above the SWISS T25 at the bottom screams BOO]

[dluddy]

I'm with Freddy and Like the Classic Dial (Glossy and Gilt) the best of all the 5513's.

[freddy333]

Like the Classic Dial (Glossy and Gilt) the best of all the 5513's.

[ubiquitous]

Not the best meters first I've seen, but for a reproduction/repaint/aftermarket/non-genuine it's not terrible either compared to some of the others out there. There are aspects to the dial you posted that are not quite as precise or accurate; font type/spacing for this era of dial being one, marker shape/size, coronet, etc. It's a dial that will be identified rather easily by folks that know their 5513s (in my opinion). To the majority of others out there that aren't familiar with the minutiae of such things, it probably won't matter.

I've seen some plain meters first genuine matte dials selling for pretty low; some have minor scuffs and the outer edge of the chapter worn off from installation, but overall usable. That might be a good option for a keeper piece?

[highoeyazmuhudee]

Not the best meters first I've seen, but for a reproduction/repaint/aftermarket/non-genuine it's not terrible either compared to some of the others out there. There are aspects to the dial you posted that are not quite as precise or accurate; font type/spacing for this era of dial being one, marker shape/size, coronet, etc. It's a dial that will be identified rather easily by folks that know their 5513s (in my opinion). To the majority of others out there that aren't familiar with the minutiae of such things, it probably won't matter.

I've seen some plain meters first genuine matte dials selling for pretty low; some have minor scuffs and the outer edge of the chapter worn off from installation, but overall usable. That might be a good option for a keeper piece?

thanks for the insight

what IS the best aftermarket/refurb/repro dial you've seen Ubi?

[ubiquitous]

I had some custom dials commissioned when I was building my 5514-

While still not perfect, they turned out fairly well methinks. The custom dial is on the right; a gen dial for comparison is on the left.