When you dive into the world of vintage Rolex watches, you'll often come across terms that might leave you scratching your head. One such term is the Rolex Submariner 5513 'Pre-Comex'—but what exactly does that mean, and where did it come from?
The term Pre-Comex for the Rolex Submariner 5513 came about in 2008, thanks to a post by Ed Delgado on the Rolex Forum. He explained that the term referred to Submariners with certain characteristics similar to the COMEX 5514 dials, typically associated with watches from the 5 million serial number range. It wasn’t meant to drive up prices, but rather to describe a specific style of dial found in some early Submariners. Much like the distinctions between Serif Dial and Non-Serif Dial, it was a simple way to categorize a specific group of watches.
There are a few key features that define the Pre-Comex Submariner 5513 which are subtle but distinctive. The coronet, the super Serif L in ROLEX, the depth rating above SUBMARINER, the position of the =, or the open 6s. But it’s not just a matter of a dial or a serial number—it’s the perfect storm of features that come together to make a certain subset of vintage Rolex watches special. And while the term might have started with Ed Delgado’s simple description, it has since become a hallmark of collectors who appreciate the nuances of vintage watchmaking.
In essence, the term Pre-Comex Submariner 5513 refers to a specific subset of early Rolex dive watches that share unique dial characteristics. These subtle design details, once pointed out by Ed Delgado, have become a marker of distinction for collectors, helping them identify these rare and historically significant pieces.
