Rolex Submariner 5513 'Lost Empires'

1968 Rolex “Looking for Lost Empires” Submariner 5513

Just as the Submariner is arguably the quintessential dive watch, this particular ad is in the conversation as the ideal Submariner advertisement to own… It’s not the first Submariner ad or the rarest. It’s a pearl among the plethora of Submariner ads for another reason - its straightforwardness depicting the essence of the Submariner. That is, a tool watch for divers. In this case, divers in the Yucutan risking their lives in search of archaeological treasures relying on their, “big, tough, working watch.” 

The “If you were…” advertising campaign from the late 1960’s and early 1970s resulted in some of the most iconic Rolex advertisements of all time, with headlines that have made an indelible impression on watch collectors. Along with other popular ads of this genre, such as, “If you were flying the Concorde…” featuring the GMT-Master and “If you were taming oil well fires” curiously calling on a solid gold Day-Date to do the job, this “lost empires” version is among the most-sought after. 

Framed with shade of white matting to compliment tones of paper. Black, solid wood frame.

About our collaboration with Ad Patina

We're thrilled to be collaborating with our longtime friends at Ad Patina to bring you a selection of the most-popular and rare vintage watch advertisements curated specifically for Analog/Shift!

Scouring the world for forgotten marketing treasures, Ad Patina's raison de être very much mimics our own - to hunt down these wonderful bits of history, preserve and restore them as needed, and share them with an enthusiastic community.

These documents of horological history have entered the watch collecting conversation as the ultimate accompanying accessory, and have found themselves framed in homes and offices around the world. Every one of these wonderful pieces is a genuine, vintage advertisement that has been professionally mounted and framed with UV resistant glass to ensure years of enjoyment to come - no reprints or reproductions here!

Much like a traditional piece of art - a painting or photograph - an original watch advertisement can be appreciated for its design as well as for its power to evoke nostalgia.

Something we vintage watch enthusiasts know all about!

Our Pledge

Analog:Shift stands behind the authenticity of our products in perpetuity.

Condition

Since our pieces are vintage or pre-owned, please expect wear & patina from usage and age. Please read each item description and examine all product images.

Warranty

We back each Analog:Shift vintage timepiece with a one-year mechanical warranty from the date of purchase.

International Buyers

Please contact us prior to purchase for additional details on shipping and payment options.

All of our watches include complementary insured shipping within the 50 states.

Most of our products are on hand and will ship directly from our headquarters in New York City. In some cases, watches will be shipped directly from one of our authorized partners.

We generally ship our products via FedEx, fully insured, within 5 business days of purchase. An adult signature is required for receipt of all packages for insurance purposes. Expedited shipping is available at an additional cost. We are also happy to hand deliver your purchase in Manhattan or you may pick it up at our showroom.

Returns must be sent overnight or by priority international delivery, fully insured and paid for by the customer. A restocking fee may apply. Watches must be returned in the same condition as initially shipped.

We welcome international buyers, please contact us prior to purchase for additional details on shipping and payment options.