THE ROLEX SUBMARINER 5513 NO-SERIF AND SERIF DIALS EXPLAINED

THE ROLEX SUBMARINER 5513 NO-SERIF AND SERIF DIALS EXPLAINED

When a collector first steps into the world of vintage watches, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the vast amount of available information. It’s a common experience—everyone has made mistakes at the start by misinterpreting content found online, in books, or in specialized magazines. The goal of our blog is to provide accurate and verified guidance, presented in a language that appeals to both seasoned collectors and, most importantly, beginners who are just entering the captivating world of vintage watches.

Our daily routine: studying and examining vintage watches.

Today, we will address a topic that may seem trivial to some, but is often not clearly explained, even in the most renowned publications and online forums: the difference between NO-SERIF and SERIF dials on the Submariner reference 5513. It’s well known that many ROLEX models underwent various component modifications during their production runs without any changes to their reference numbers. There are numerous examples of this, and we’ll highlight just a few.

Two Rolex Gmt Master ref. 16710 respectively coming with a Tritium and Luminova dial (courtesy Jatucka)
Two Rolex Daydates reference 1803 with very close serial numbers but with a different caliber (courtesy Jatucka)
Two Rolex Gmt Master reference 1675 specimens from different periods which differ for the dial and case type (courtesy Jatucka)

The reasons for these changes were varied: updates to the product line with more modern materials and processes, changes in suppliers, or simply the need to restock components when inventory ran out. The presence of different components within the same reference is particularly evident in models that were produced and sold over a long period, such as the Submariner reference 5513.

In production for almost 30 years, from around 1962 to 1989, the Submariner reference 5513 was made in a large number of configurations that differed in the type of dial, movement, case back, bracelet etc. In particular, it was precisely the dials that received the greatest number of changes over time.

A stunning unpolished example of a late 1960s Rolex Submariner ref. 5513 with a Meters First dial (Andrea Piccinini archive)

To differentiate and chronologically categorize this wide variety of dials, collectors have gradually assigned them nicknames. To give you an idea of the terms commonly used by collectors, here’s a brief list: ‘Gilt Open Track,’ ‘Pre-Comex,’ ‘Maxi Dial,’ ‘Meters First,’ ‘NO-SERIF,’ and ‘SERIF’—and these are just a few among many.

Some of the dials mounted over time on the Rolex Submariner reference 5513

Today, we will focus on a technical analysis of just two types of dials: the ones commonly referred to as NO-SERIF and SERIF, which are characteristic of the Submariner reference 5513 produced during the first five years of the 1970s.

The NO – SERIF and SERIF dial for Rolex Submariner reference 5513

Before beginning our analysis of these two specific Rolex Submariner reference 5513 dials, it is essential to clarify what vintage watch collectors mean by the term ‘SERIF’ when referring to Rolex dials. A SERIF is a small vertical or horizontal stroke that appears on the edges of numbers, letters, or printed hour markers. These serifs were intentionally added through graphic design techniques to enhance the refinement and value of the dial’s print, also improving its legibility. Below is a clear example that illustrates the difference between a NO-SERIF and a SERIF dial on a Rolex.

NO-SERIF and SERIF Rolex dial example

Now that we have a clear understanding of what ‘SERIF’ means, we can more effectively analyze the two Rolex Submariner reference 5513 dials commonly referred to as NO-SERIF and SERIF. In both dials, the SERIFS are not found in the text but in the printed rectangular hour markers, which lie beneath the layer of applied luminescent material. To categorize a Submariner reference 5513 dial as either NO-SERIF or SERIF, it is essential to carefully examine the dial at the 6 o’clock position.

A macro shot showing the differences between the 6’oclock hour marker in a SERIF and NO-SERIF DIAL

The Rolex Submariner 5513 SERIF dial can be much less immediately identifiable. Often, the luminescent material applied over the printed hour markers can overflow from its original position over time, obscuring the SERIFS underneath. Additionally, scratches on the plexiglass can further complicate the distinction between these two types of dials. Therefore, it is reasonable to assume that, especially for beginners, accurately classifying a dial as NO-SERIF or SERIF can be quite challenging, particularly when relying on low-quality photographs.

An untouched example of a Rolex Submariner 5513 with a NO-SERIF dial in which the original scratched glass partially covers the graphics (Andrea Piccinini archive)

Is there a simpler way to clearly distinguish a NO-SERIF dial from a SERIF dial? There are three key points to consider:

  • On a NO-SERIF dial (without serifs on the rectangular hour markers), the letter ‘E’ in ‘SUBMARINER’ has a terminal T shape, and the ‘P’ in ‘PERPETUAL’ is not perfectly aligned with the ‘L’ in ‘ROLEX.’
  • On a SERIF dial (with serifs on the rectangular hour markers), the letter ‘E’ in ‘SUBMARINER’ has a tapered end, and the ‘P’ in ‘PERPETUAL’ is nearly perfectly aligned with the ‘L’ in ‘ROLEX.’
  • The shape of the letter ‘S’ in ‘OYSTER’ differs significantly between the two dials.
NO-SERIF and SERIF dials further differences.

We hope this topic has made it easier to identify the differences between a SERIF and a NO-SERIF dial for the Submariner 5513.

This article was written and published by me on Roberto ‘Jatucka’ Randazzo’s website in 2019. I thank Roberto for allowing me to add it to the blog on my own website.

Articoli recenti