Okay, so you know I’m a big fan of watches, especially vintage ones. And you also know I’m obsessed with Steve McQueen. So, naturally, the “Steve McQueen Submariner” has always been a grail watch for me.
I finally decided, “Enough is enough! I’m gonna try to get one, or at least, something that looks close enough without breaking the bank.” This wasn’t gonna be easy, let me tell you.
The Hunt Begins
First, I started doing my research. I’m talking hours and hours online, reading forums, watching videos, basically becoming a temporary expert on Rolex Submariners from the late ’60s and early ’70s. The key was finding a reference 5513 with a specific kind of dial – the “meters first” dial. That’s what makes it a “Steve McQueen Sub,” even though he probably wore a 5512. Don’t ask, watch nerds are weird like that.
- I Checked eBay: Man, eBay is a minefield. So many fakes, frankenwatches (watches made from different parts), and ridiculously overpriced listings. I was out.
- I Went to Some Local Watch Shops: Most of them didn’t have anything vintage, let alone a 5513. The ones that did were asking crazy money.
- Online Forums: This is where I started to make some progress. I found a couple of reputable sellers on watch forums who specialized in vintage Rolexes.
The Almost-But-Not-Quite
I almost pulled the trigger on one from a guy in Italy. It looked great in the pictures, and he seemed legit. But then I noticed a tiny detail – the font on the dial was slightly off. It was a redial, meaning the original dial had been repainted, which kills the value.
The Breakthrough (Sort Of)
Then, I found it. Well, not the watch, but a good project to work on. It was a 1968 Rolex 5513, but the dial was messed up, it needed a service, and the bracelet was missing. Basically a fixer-upper.
The Restoration
Okay, this is where things got interesting. I had a choice: try to restore the original dial (expensive and risky) or replace it with an aftermarket one. I went for the aftermarket. Purists are going to hate me, but whatever. It was my watch and I wanted it to look good.
Here’s what I did:
- Got a vintage-style aftermarket dial with the “meters first” text.
- Sourced a correct-era Rolex bracelet.
- Sent the watch to a trusted watchmaker for a full service and to install the new dial.
The Result
It’s not a genuine “Steve McQueen Submariner”. It’s more like a tribute. But it looks the part, and it’s a watch I can wear without worrying about scratching a crazy-expensive collector’s item.
Final Thoughts
Look, buying vintage watches is tough. You gotta do your homework, be patient, and be prepared to walk away from deals that seem too good to be true. I didn’t end up with the real thing, but I had a blast learning about these watches, and I ended up with something I’m really happy with. I think Steve would approve! (Or at least, wouldn’t laugh me out of the room.)
So, there you have it. My Steve McQueen Submariner journey. Maybe someday I’ll find the real deal, but for now, I’m good.
