A New Strap Can Change How You Wear a Vintage Rolex — Submariner 5513 Maxi MK2 Strap Guide

Rolex Submariner 5513 Maxi MK2 Strap Guide: A Fresh Way to Wear a Vintage Submariner

The Rolex Submariner 5513 Maxi MK2 already carries decades of character. Its matte black dial, oversized tritium hour plots, acrylic crystal, and naturally aged bezel make it unmistakably vintage before a strap ever enters the picture.

That does not mean the watch has to keep looking like it came from the late 1970s.

Some 5513s are carefully collected vintage watches. Others have stayed in the same family for decades and are now being worn by a new generation. Changing the bracelet for leather is one of the simplest ways to make either watch feel different—and more personal—without changing the watch itself.

IN THIS GUIDE

1. Make Sure You're Ordering for the Right Submariner
2. What Strap Size Does the Rolex 5513 Need?
3. What Actually Looks Good on a Maxi MK2?
4. Choose the Look You Want for Your 5513
5. Before You Order Your Strap

1. Make Sure You're Ordering for the Right Submariner

The watch covered here is the Rolex Submariner ref. 5513 with the dial commonly classified by collectors as the Maxi MK2 or Maxi II.

That distinction matters. The 5513 was produced over a long period and appeared with numerous dial variations, so owning a ref. 5513 does not automatically mean you own a Maxi MK2.

The Maxi family is recognised primarily by its enlarged luminous hour plots. On the Maxi MK2, another useful identifying characteristic is the dial arrangement at six o'clock, where SUBMARINER appears above the depth rating.

The combination gives this version of the 5513 considerable visual weight despite the simplicity of the watch: no date window, no polished modern ceramic bezel, and relatively little dial text competing with those large tritium markers.

If these characteristics correspond with your watch, the next decision is straightforward: make sure the replacement strap is built to the correct dimensions before choosing the leather.

2. What Strap Size Does the Rolex 5513 Need?

The Rolex Submariner 5513 requires a 20 mm strap at the lugs.

Unlike watches that require a proprietary integrated strap, the 5513 has conventional lugs and can be fitted with a correctly sized straight-end leather strap using spring bars.

3. What Actually Looks Good on a Maxi MK2?

You do not have to make a vintage watch look more vintage. The 5513 already has that part covered.

Rather than choosing leather by name alone, start with the change you actually want to make to the watch.

Want the 5513 to Feel Cleaner and More Contemporary?

Epsom New Ink
is an easy place to start.

Its fine, controlled grain creates a cleaner surface next to the naturally aged textures of the watch. The dark ink-blue color remains understated enough for everyday use, but gives the 5513 noticeably more color than conventional black leather.

Cordovan Midnight Blue
takes the same idea in a smoother direction. Its deep tone can appear almost black in subdued light, with the blue becoming more apparent as the light changes.

That makes it particularly effective for someone who normally wears the 5513 on its bracelet or a black strap but wants a subtle change rather than a dramatic one.

Want Something Relaxed for Everyday Wear?

Suede Grey
is perhaps the easiest pairing in the collection.

Grey does not try to match the black dial or blue-grey bezel. Instead, its neutrality gives the watch room to stand out. The matte suede surface also sits naturally beside an older case and acrylic crystal.

It is an especially useful choice if you want leather to make the 5513 feel less formal and less precious.

Suede Airforce Blue
adds more personality.

Its muted blue has enough color to respond to a faded bezel without becoming a bright blue statement strap. The suede finish keeps that color soft, making the combination feel relaxed rather than coordinated.

Want to Make Your Vintage Submariner Feel More Luxurious?

Then there is no reason to pretend Crocodile does not exist simply because the Submariner began life as a tool watch.

• Croco Navy Blue

• Croco Nubuck Navy Blue

• Croco Atlantic Blue

Want the 5513 to Feel Younger and More Casual?

Denim New Ink

It is probably one of the biggest departures from how most people expect to see a vintage Submariner—and that is exactly what makes it useful.

The textile-like texture and contrasting stitching make the watch considerably more casual. Against an aged Rolex, that contrast can make the 5513 feel less like an object from another generation and more like something intended to be worn now.

Want to Keep More of the Tool-Watch Character?

Diablo Navy Blue
takes the opposite route.

Its distressed surface works naturally with the aged bezel and vintage case rather than cleaning them up.

The dark blue keeps it from becoming the predictable brown distressed-leather pairing often seen on vintage watches, while the rougher finish preserves the casual, utilitarian personality expected from an old Submariner.

4. Choose the Look You Want for Your 5513

Still Not Sure? Start Here.
You do not need to overthink the decision.

From there, the more expressive materials make sense once you know how far you want to move the watch away from its familiar Oyster-bracelet appearance.

5. Before You Order Your Strap

Q: What size strap does a Rolex Submariner 5513 use?
A: The Rolex Submariner ref. 5513 uses a 20 mm lug width. Order the strap specifically for the 5513 rather than assuming that straps intended for other Submariner generations will have the same requirements.

Q: Will these straps fit every Rolex Submariner?
A: No. The Submariner has existed across many case generations and references. Confirm your exact reference before ordering rather than selecting a strap based on the Submariner name alone.

Q: Can I use my original Rolex buckle?
A: Yes, provided the strap is made to the correct buckle-end width and configuration. Measure the inside width of the buckle you intend to use and provide that dimension when ordering.

Q: Which strap should I choose for my first leather pairing?
A: For a versatile first option, Epsom New Ink is difficult to get wrong. It introduces blue without becoming overly colorful and its structured grain gives the watch a cleaner appearance.

If your 5513 has a noticeably faded blue-grey bezel, Suede Airforce Blue is the more distinctive alternative.

Q: My bezel has faded differently from the watch shown here. Will blue still work?
A: Potentially, yes—but do not try to achieve an exact color match.

Vintage bezel inserts age differently. Some remain predominantly black, while others develop grey, blue-grey or more heavily faded tones.

The objective is not for the strap and bezel to become the same color. A dark or desaturated blue can simply pick up part of the bezel's cooler character while still allowing both components to look naturally different.

Q: Do I need to send the watch in to order a strap?
A: Normally, no. The important information is the exact watch reference, required lug width, wrist size, and buckle configuration. If there is anything unusual about your watch, buckle, or existing hardware, photographs and measurements can be used to confirm the required configuration before the strap is made.

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