More Rolex Collector Recommendations from John Mayer

Rolex Submariner Reference 5513  Image: ABlogToWatch

John Mayer, famed musician, has 3 more recommendations for Rolex collectors.  The first to discuss today is the Rolex Submariner Reference 5513.  Also called the Matte Dial Submariner, the Rolex Submariner Reference 5513 was produced between 1962 and 1989.  Distinctive simplicity, without any date or small seconds functionality, this Rolex is extremely popular with resale prices that range from under $8k to upwards of $50,000 or more.  

The Rolex Submariner Reference 5513 has had several variations over the nearly 28 years of production.  These variations  (Meters First, Non-Serif/Serif Dials, Pre Comex, and Maxi Dials) are best analyzed by the dedicated site http://www.5513mattedial.com/About.html. 

This particular model can be submerged to an impressive 660 feet and has a stainless steel, 40 mm diameter and 13 mm thick case.  The durability of this Submariner is impressive. 

The movement is a non-chronometer-certified caliber 1520.  It has a black dial and bezel with off-white markers.  The bracelet is Oyster, and it has a lug width of 20 mm.  It does not have Sapphire Crystal, but it uses tritium luminous markers which creates interesting patinas on the markers as it ages.

Rolex "Pepsi" GMT Master Reference 1675

The next Rolex on the Mayer buy list is the Rolex GMT Master Reference 1675.  It is known as a Pepsi because of its stunning blue and red bezel with fat font.  This was produced between 1959 and 1980, one of the longest running Rolexes to be produced in history.  The earlier versions of this watch had a red 24 hour hand with a small triangle at the end.  In 1970 this changed to large red triangle at the end.

The bezel is metal for sturdiness and it is rotatable for time-lapse.  The two crown guards and screw down crown add further protection.  The movement is an automatic caliber 1575 with 26 jewels and a power reserve of 42 hours.  It uses acrylic crystal with a cyclops date viewer at 3 o'clock and a black gilt dial with glossy finish.  The GMT Master is waterproof up to 165 feet.  The Oyster Bracelet provides a solid and reliable compliment to this powerful and durable Rolex.

Rolex Explorer II Reference 16550 Black Photo: Woundforlife

The last recommendation Mayer makes in his buy list is a Rolex Explorer II Reference 16550 (Black Dial).  Although the white dial 16550 may have more value in the resale arena, Mayer prefers the black dial which has a black gloss dial with white gold hands and hour markers.  This may be partly because the cream dial versions had some production issues with the paint on the dial. 

If you find one which says Superlative Chronometer Official Certified" wording on it, you would have found a rare model with a premium value. It was produced only between 1985 and 1989.

It has a stainless steel bezel and a scratch resistant sapphire crystal with cyclops lens at 3 o'clock. The case is 40 mm and the dial is black with luminescent hour markers. It uses a caliber 3085 movement but has an independent hour hand to track a second timezone.  It has a waterproof screw down crown and it supports a depth of 300 meters.