How good is the Helenarou 5513 complete watch

[Nuccio]

Hi guys. I am about to buy a complete 5513 from helenarou. I have read a few threads on how to create the best looking rep 5513 made with parts from various suppliers but I don’t have the time or the skills to do this at this point. So, after looking at the cheaper JK and BP versions (+/- $200) carefully I’ve finally decided to put more money into it and go with Helenarou version. I am not talking about just the case, I am talking about the complete 5513 rep watch, all supplied and put together by Helenarou.
It’s going to cost around $800 (with aged dial, hands and case).

Any reason why I should not ?

I’ve had good communication with them and the pictures look good.

Thoughts ?


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[tripdog]

I wouldn't spend $800 on a HR 5513. It's an average looking, not particularly accurate rep - the case is bad, especially crown guards and lugs, the dials are OK - but the over all look isn't very convincing.

 

[Nuccio]

Thanks. I understand you are the authority on the subject so thanks for taking the time.
If I am willing to spend that much where should I get a 5512/5513 ? Without buying all the parts separately, or needing to make mods myself.


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[DaleM]

Thanks. I understand you are the authority on the subject so thanks for taking the time.
If I am willing to spend that much where should I get a 5512/5513 ? Without buying all the parts separately, or needing to make mods myself.


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If you want a very good example I would guess about 1500 usd on the low end unless you find a m2m sale.

 

[Nuccio]

Thanks. What is the best I can get for $800 or less ? I understand it won’t be an exceptional rep but it should better than JK or BP? Thoughts


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[Nuccio]

Thanks. What is the best I can get for $800 or less ? I understand it won’t be an exceptional rep but it should better than JK or BP? Thoughts


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[Art Tic]

Keep your eyes on M2M sales section. Sometimes, a relatively nice modded watch will pop up. But really, if you are willing to spend $800, why not save a few more $$$ and get the nicer example or commission a build from our reputed modders. You will be much much happier.

 

[Nuccio]

Keep your eyes on M2M sales section. Sometimes, a relatively nice modded watch will pop up. But really, if you are willing to spend $800, why not save a few more $$$ and get the nicer example or commission a build from our reputed modders. You will be much much happier.

Would love to get in contact with anyone here interested in making one for me. Who do I contact ?


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[DaleM]

Would love to get in contact with anyone here interested in making one for me. Who do I contact ?


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If in US contact yodog if in europe tripdog

 

[tripdog]

Thanks. I understand you are the authority on the subject so thanks for taking the time.
If I am willing to spend that much where should I get a 5512/5513 ? Without buying all the parts separately, or needing to make mods myself.


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If the HR watch were around $500 then it would OK, but $800 is close to the price of a well modified Cartel 5513, which if it really is well modified will look a lot better than a HR 5513. Next step up is a build using a Vietnam case,but then you'll be up around $1500.

Modded 5513s come up for sale frequently on M2M, some look like crap, some look pretty good, you just need to keep checking and be discerning.

 

[Nuccio]

Thanks tripdog. The HR is indeed about $500. But with the aged dial, hands, pearl, case and shipping it adds up to a little over $700. I am willing to go $800 if another option presents itself.


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[Art Tic]

When you spend $700-$800 on a vintage rep, you are going to wear it and want to voraciously read about the gen version for comparison/contrast. Alas, before long, you will discover the many flaws in the rep and wish you spent a bit more money for the proper modded version. That $700 rep will then be relegated to the dark abyss, the bottom drawer.
That's just my experience, worth less than 2 cents.

 

[Nuccio]

When you spend $700-$800 on a vintage rep, you are going to wear it and want to voraciously read about the gen version for comparison/contrast. Alas, before long, you will discover the many flaws in the rep and wish you spent a bit more money for the proper modded version. That $700 rep will then be relegated to the dark abyss, the bottom drawer.
That's just my experience, worth less than 2 cents.

Probably right. My take is this :

1- I don’t want to spend $1500 on a rep. I’d rather put that kind of money towards a gen.

2- I have a few gen watches but like the variety. So a $700 rep could make the rotation on occasion. Especially with a nice leather strap. And if I really feel that the $700 rep doesn’t do for me, I’ll put it for sale on the forum and probably won’t loose more than $100 at the end. It seems that, although not perfect, I could get a decent rep for that budget, one that someone else would want when I feel like selling it.

But overall, I hear you man. And your comment is taking into consideration. Thanks


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[tripdog]

For an authentic looking replica of a vintage Rolex you can expect to spend between $3000 and $5000. Even stuff built with Vietnam cases etc isn't going to fool most people, and some of them don't look that much different to a Cartel based build.

Fussing and fretting over font, coronet shape etc on the dial is pointless. A shitty rep crown, a case with the wrong proportions and dimensions that's looks like somebody hit it repeatedly with a hammer to give it some 'patina', a set of Clarks hands with the laughable second hand, a crystal that sits too high by a full centimetre because it wasn't shaved down and an eBay 'gen spec' bezel assembly that is locked solid and will never turn are all bigger give away's to the fact it isn't a real Rolex.

The law of diminishing returns also applies to builds. In this thread here, the gloss dial build cost over $3000, the Cartel based build less than $900. Depending on your level of knowledge, you can decide on whether the extra money spent is worth it or not.

https://forum.replica-watch.info/forum/vintage-watches/8029920-rolex-5513-submariner-builds

 

[grobley]

Here’s my aged HR 5513. Wearing to work today. $525 including strap from Cheapest.


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[Retina]

Probably right. My take is this :

1- I don’t want to spend $1500 on a rep. I’d rather put that kind of money towards a gen.

2- I have a few genwatches but like the variety. So a $700 rep could make the rotation on occasion. Especially with a nice leather strap. And if I really feel that the $700 rep doesn’t do for me, I’ll put it for sale on the forum and probably won’t loose more than $100 at the end. It seems that, although not perfect, I could get a decent rep for that budget, one that someone else would want when I feel like selling it.

But overall, I hear you man. And your comment is taking into consideration. Thanks


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I've spent too much on reps over my time lol... You tend to be able to get a very nice well-modded rep at 1.5 which is usually more liquid at m2m as compared to the gen game - which is usually not snapped up as fast as a well-modded rep.

Expect to lose money on reps as a general rule. even for gen watches, the cost of losing usually comes from servicing as far as mechanical watches go. I've spent well over $2k on servicing because watches eventually break. And finding people to service your watches are hard because watch smiths generally do not service reps.

 

[Retina]

I might add, the servicing cost should not scare most people off in the world of reps anyway. the cost is still cheaper than gen watches which commands a hefty premium because gen parts are ridiculously overpriced. my take, enjoy the watch as a hobby, and see the cost as a sunk cost, and you will enjoy it alot more lol.

 

[François.Fillon]

That for these reasons you explain above I stopped to buying gen watches. Servicing a genuine watches is a pain for the wallet. The good news when I entering in rep game that's I was forced to learn and learn even more on how to repare an ETA movement, how to regulate it and so....
Now I spend my servicing budget for watchmaker tools and I be able to help myself that's a big difference and that's a very fulfilling experience.