gioarmani Posted February 11, 2008 Report Share Posted February 11, 2008 (edited) Normally, I try to share what little I know with others who are trying to acquire the same, but now I need to ask some questions of the experts. I have zero experience with modding vintage pieces, but this is the only one that strikes my fancy: Having no experience with this sort, where would one buy an MBW version of the 5512, or is MBW even worth it? Is the one pictured good enough to work on? Also, what mods would make this a bit more believable than "straight-from-the-box" (besides the ubiquitous CGs & insert)? Does a T-17/T-19 crystal really make all that much of a difference & why? I'd also like to throw a folded-steel 9315 bracelet on it, but I'm unsure if an older 9315 was standard on an early 70's 5512. In regards to the older, folded style bracelets, were there any gens that came with clasps similar to that below, or were they all Oyster flip-locks? Please feel free to post any pics of your 5512s for reference, as well. Thanks again. Edited February 11, 2008 by gioarmani Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoJo35 Posted February 11, 2008 Report Share Posted February 11, 2008 Here's my 5512. It's a meters first, so naturally it needed a gen twin-lock, folded 9315, etc etc... It's a nice looking watch; IMO the domed 19 adds a nice finishing touch Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
predfan2001 Posted February 11, 2008 Report Share Posted February 11, 2008 (edited) Hold out till you can find a MBW 5512. Most of the nodate 5513s have yellow text on the dial. I like a nodate with white text so I converted my 5517 to a 5513 (remove the T, removed the fixed bars and changed the hands). It's good enough for me but the lugholes are a little larger than they should be but gen springbars work great. I'll bet that Sub pictured above from Trusty is one of the one that has a 27.5mm dial. The 5517 cases accept a 26mm and a T19 fits perfectly. Edited February 12, 2008 by predfan2001 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deltatahoe Posted February 11, 2008 Report Share Posted February 11, 2008 the dial on the one you posted is actually a 5513 dial; the 5512 has the "officially certified chronometer" text on the dial under the depth rating (see JoJo35's pic for the 5512 dial).... deltatahoe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jetsons Posted February 11, 2008 Report Share Posted February 11, 2008 Gio, the 5512 has a very slender case compared to the 5513 & has the COSC certification on the dial. Judging from Trusty's pic, it should be of the 5513. If interested in the 5512, the Silix Asian version has an accurate slim case. The bezel is not accurate to the watch but it's still a very nice piece for the price. The gen Tropic 19 is far better than the rep crystals in terms of thickness and clarity in my experience & a very worthwhile upgrade. Gen crystals are stunning on the vintages rollies. I haven't compared the gen to the Clark version. With regard to bracelet and clasp, I've seen just about every combination out there on gens. These bracelets wear & tear and are replaced over time. I have a gen folded bracelet and never use it. The MBW oyster hollow mid-links are quite good if you decide to go that route. Added: Just saw the DH spotted the 5513 dial. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gioarmani Posted February 11, 2008 Author Report Share Posted February 11, 2008 My mistake on the 5512/5513 difference--thanks for the catch! I think I like the 5513 dial better though, so I'll try to change the title of the thread. As I'm not that into the vintages (albeit, "yet"), I'm reluctant to shell out too much at first to mod a piece I might not keep more than a few weeks. But the one from Andrew I think I like; wouldn;t mind taking a shot at it. Are there any serious/glaring flaws on the model I pictured at top? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deltatahoe Posted February 11, 2008 Report Share Posted February 11, 2008 the print on the dial (aside from the index dots, which will vary in color depending on how the tritium ages) should be white. here's a pic of a genuine for your reference... deltatahoe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephane Posted February 11, 2008 Report Share Posted February 11, 2008 the dial on the one you posted is actually a 5513 dial; the 5512 has the "officially certified chronometer" text on the dial under the depth rating (see JoJo35's pic for the 5512 dial).... deltatahoe Thanks Delta. I was about to ask about that. So, 5513 can have meters first or feets first like mine, right ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jetsons Posted February 11, 2008 Report Share Posted February 11, 2008 So, 5513 can have meters first or feets first like mine, right ? Sure. It can be yours for $5.6K or about 10 Euros. http://forums.watchnet.com/index.php?t=tre...79344&rid=0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephane Posted February 11, 2008 Report Share Posted February 11, 2008 Sure. It can be yours for $5.6K or about 10 Euros. http://forums.watchnet.com/index.php?t=tre...79344&rid=0 Do you mean meters first is the collectable and feets is always fake ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephane Posted February 11, 2008 Report Share Posted February 11, 2008 Here's my 5512. It's a meters first, so naturally it needed a gen twin-lock, folded 9315, etc etc... It's a nice looking watch; IMO the domed 19 adds a nice finishing touch A great watch for sure, congrats again Jojo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deltatahoe Posted February 12, 2008 Report Share Posted February 12, 2008 Do you mean meters first is the collectable and feets is always fake ? genuine 5513s had both dial versions ("meters first" and "feet first")..... the meters first versions (which date to the earlier models) are harder to find & as a result, generally more valuable.... deltatahoe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jetsons Posted February 12, 2008 Report Share Posted February 12, 2008 Do you mean meters first is the collectable and feets is always fake ? I was just poking fun at the low value of the USD versus just about any other currency on the planet. Great watches, gents! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alligoat Posted February 12, 2008 Report Share Posted February 12, 2008 The original 5512, late 50's, only had the two lines of dial print below, but the printing was gilt. When the 5513 came out in the early 60's (gilt printng, also) Rolex added the additional two lines of print to the 5512- Superlative Chronometer, Officially Certified, to denote the chronometer rated movement (1560 or 1570), Somewhere around the middle 60's the dial print changed from gold to white. 5513's had the meters first dials up until around say 1970, after that the feet first were common. The 5513 pictured above came from Paul a year and a half ago. At the time it cost $139 w/ a Swiss eta movt. I recently transplanted a standard 5513 dial (26mm- a 'redial' for $150) into it. I also changed out the pearl for an acrylic one- popped right in, trimmed the cg's and waterproofed it- i.e. basically greased the seals w/ silicone. So I still have less than an MBW in it. If you want to spend the money, an MBW is a good way to go, but I believe these less expensive watches from Andrew, Paul and Silix also can be fun- and great to practice on- if you screw em up, so be it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gioarmani Posted February 12, 2008 Author Report Share Posted February 12, 2008 Good calls, gentlemen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephane Posted February 12, 2008 Report Share Posted February 12, 2008 Thanks guys, very interresting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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