ROLEX | SUBMARINER, REF 5513 STAINLESS STEEL WRISTWATCH WITH HELIUM ESCAPE VALVE AND BRACELET CIRCA 1966

The Rolex Submariner reference 5513 was introduced in 1962 and its production was carried on for 28 years, making it one of the longest-lasting Submariner references in Rolex history. The 5513 was retailed alongside its sister reference 5512, a Chronometer certified 4-line Submariner introduced in 1959. The reference 5513 was progressively improved over the course of its life, starting with matte dials and transitioning to glossy dials. 

Rolex worked closely with COMEX and the US NAVY SEA LAB trough their deep sea divers. This collaboration was fruitful to test the helium escape valve (HEV). The valve was developed and tested on few before being commercially available in the original Sea Dweller in 1971.

This very rare Submariner 5513 HEV, not sold to the public, with only Rolex and Crown stamped on the case back, was likely used before Rolex submitted the HEV Patent in 1967.