Actor Jason Statham spotted wearing a Rolex

Jason Statham, whose on-screen persona is built on controlled physicality and stripped-back masculinity, was recently spotted wearing a vintage Rolex Submariner reference 5513 — a watch that matches that ethos with unusual precision. No date window, no chronometer certification, no unnecessary complication. Just a professional dive watch that meant business when it launched in 1962 and still commands serious attention today.

The Submariner ref. 5513 entered production as a direct evolution of the ref. 5512, shedding the twin crown guards of its sibling and the COSC certification requirement, which allowed Rolex to offer it at a more accessible price point while maintaining the same 200-metre water resistance. Early examples ran the calibre 1520, a robust automatic with 17 jewels and a 19,800 vph beat rate, later updated to the cal. 1530. The reference remained in production until 1989 — an extraordinary 27-year run — during which it passed through multiple dial variants: glossy 'gilt' dials with red Submariner text, matte black dials, and eventually the classic white-printed matte configuration most collectors associate with the reference.

For collectors, the 5513 occupies a unique position. It is the quintessential vintage Submariner — attainable enough that a determined collector can realistically own one, yet historically significant and aesthetically variable enough to sustain deep, long-term interest. Tropical dials, 'Meters First' variants, and Mk I through Mk VII dial progressions give specialists years of study. The reference also underpins a huge portion of the vintage Rolex market's transaction volume.

Statham's affinity for mechanical watches is well documented — he has been spotted across a range of serious pieces over the years. Choosing a ref. 5513 rather than a modern Submariner or a flashier complication suggests a collector's sensibility rather than a stylist's decision. It fits. A tool watch for a man who plays men who use tools.

On the grey market, honest examples of the Rolex Submariner ref. 5513 trade across a wide range depending on dial variant and condition. A standard matte-dial example in solid shape typically commands between $8,000 and $18,000, while gilt-dial and tropical examples can breach $30,000 comfortably. Retail is not applicable — the reference was discontinued over three decades ago.