My First Build - Vintage Rolex Submariner 5513 No Date - Watch Build Guide

Upon starting my advantage to build my first watch, I embarked on a trail of reading forums, watching YouTube videos and reading pages and pages across the web. I felt this was the right movement to start a build.

In this first build I will attempt to create a replica of a vintage Rolex submariner 5513 no date. A lovely watch on wrist and holds such present and stunning style that just does not go out of fashion.

Sourcing Parts

To build this watch I want a movement with 21,600 bph (6 bps), a watch case, dial, hands and strap.

For the movement I was going to use an Asia clone movement which can be picked up for a reasonable price. Clone movement called a 2813 - I will cover differences between movements in another post

For the case I wanted something to fit my 2813 movement and for it to have a vintage style case. I picked up this wonder domed case from eBay.

For the dial we needed something which looked like a vintage submariner - from my time on RWI I sourced these parts and was able to get a stunning looking vintage dial the lumes on this also work which is great.

For the hands I was able to source the parts from many hours searching on Aliexpress - I wanted hands which submariner style where an off-white, almost cream in colour. Additional I wanted the lume to be green the same as the dial I had purchased. I finally found the right ones!

For the strap I wanted a stylish but clean looking - I found this really sweet suede in a sand colour.

The Build

Once I had all the parts it was time to assemble I placed the dial onto the 2813 movement and tighten the screws to secure. Once it was on the dial it was time to put the hands on, first placing the hour hand on to the movement and then the minute hand. I pushed these on with dial press tools you can see these in my tools section. The tricky bit is the second hand being only 0.17 pin to place onto with the 2813 movement I found it was easier using magnifying glasses (see these in my tools) then once its placed onto the movement I could then press down with a tool.

I checked the hour, minute and second hand was moving I removed the stem from the movement and now put the watch case over the top of the dial and movement, now I could flip this in one keeping all in place. I cut the stem and attached the unbranded crown which come with the case. I put the stem thought the case and reattached to the movement - check the hands where moving and then went on to apply the back case - I tighten with some Rolex case tools I purchased from Amazon these are also in my tools

The finished article

Now the watch was build I went on to attached the suede strap I had purchased to complete the look. Manually wound the movement to kick start it going and now its ready for wrist time!