A fake Rolex Submariner 5513 is a replica of the vintage no-date dive watch Rolex built from 1962 to 1989. Genuine examples trade for five figures, so factories in China copy the reference at several quality tiers. The fakes differ from the original in movement, crystal material, case geometry, dial print, and bracelet construction.

Why the 5513 is easy to copy

The 5513 has a clean dial with no date window and no cyclops. That removes the two parts counterfeiters struggle with most: date wheel alignment and the magnifier. A 40mm steel case, a black bezel insert, and Mercedes hands are simple shapes to reproduce.

Rolex made the reference for 27 years, so real watches vary. Early gilt dials, later matte dials, different coronet shapes, and changing lume all exist on genuine examples. That variation gives fake makers room to hide errors.

What is the history of the 5513?

Rolex launched the 5513 in 1962 as the no-date Submariner and kept it in the catalog until 1989, when the 14060 replaced it. Early watches used glossy gilt dials. Around 1966, Rolex switched to matte dials with painted lume plots, the version most people picture today.

How a fake 5513 differs from a real one

Movement

Real 5513s run on the Rolex Caliber 1520, 1530, or 1560. These are 26-jewel automatics with a sweep seconds hand that beats at 18,000 or 19,800 vibrations per hour.

Replicas use three setups: quartz, a generic Chinese automatic such as the DG2813, or a decorated clone with engraved plates meant to look like a Rolex 15xx. The tell is the beat rate and the feel of the winding. A 28,800 bph sweep at 8 ticks per second does not belong in a 5513.

Crystal and case

Every genuine 5513 left the factory with an acrylic (Plexiglas) crystal, not sapphire. The top hat and domed profiles create a slight edge distortion that sapphire cannot match.

Most fakes ship with flat sapphire or mineral glass that sits too flush against the bezel. Case thickness, lug shape, and crown guard profile also run off. Genuine lugs are thinner and more tapered.

Dial, hands, and bezel

Dial text on a real 5513 is crisp and sits at the correct depth under the crystal. Fakes show thick, blobby print, a fat coronet, and lume plots that are too large or too white.

The bezel insert on a real 5513 is a thin aluminum ring. Replicas use ceramic, which looks glossy and never fades. A ceramic insert on a 5513 is wrong on sight.

Bracelet, case back, and serials

Real 5513s came on the Oyster 93150 bracelet with hollow center links and a stamped clasp. Most replicas use solid links, a machined clasp, and a case back with shallow engraving.

Reference and serial numbers sit between the lugs on a genuine case, and the case back is stamped 5513 inside. Fakes often carry the wrong stamp or laser etching that looks too sharp.

Quick checks on a suspected fake 5513

• Crystal material: acrylic on real watches, sapphire or mineral on most fakes.
• Beat rate: 5 or 6 ticks per second points to a modern clone movement, not a 15xx.
• Date window: the 5513 never had one. Any date or cyclops means fake.
• Depth text: "660ft = 200m" should sit on two lines with tight spacing.
• Bezel insert: aluminum, not ceramic.
• Lume: tritium on vintage dials ages to a warm cream. Bright white is a warning sign.
• Case back: thin engraving and a smooth finish are common on replicas.
• Weight and balance: cheap builds feel light and hollow in the hand.

What do fake 5513s cost?

Price tracks the tier. Entry builds with quartz movements sit at the bottom. Mid-tier watches add a generic automatic and better case finishing. The top tier, sold as a "super clone," uses a decorated movement and closer dimensions, and it costs several times more.

None of these tiers match a real 5513, and a higher price does not change that. The best a replica can do is look close from across a table.

Is a fake Rolex Submariner 5513 legal in the US?

US law bans importing counterfeit goods that carry a registered trademark, under 19 U.S.C. § 1526 and 18 U.S.C. § 2320. Customs and Border Protection can seize shipments and destroy them.

Selling a fake as a real Rolex is fraud. Passing one off in a private sale, at a pawn shop, or online carries civil and criminal exposure.

Owning a replica is not the same as importing one, but the legal risk sits with import and resale. Treat the market as information, not as a buying recommendation.

FAQ

Does the Submariner 5513 have a date?

No. The 5513 is the no-date Submariner. Rolex sold the date version as the 1680.

What movement did the 5513 use?

The 5513 used the Rolex Caliber 1520, then the 1530, and later the 1560. All are 26-jewel automatics from the 15xx family.

Can a watchmaker spot a fake 5513?

Yes. A trained watchmaker opens the case back, checks the movement, and looks at the dial under magnification. Most fakes fail the check in under a minute.

What should I buy instead?

If you want the 5513 look without the legal and quality problems, buy a homage. Brands such as Steinhart and Seiko sell dive watches with similar proportions, real warranties, and service support.