The Rolex Submariner 5513 is one of those references that doesn’t need explaining to anyone who’s been around watches for a while. It’s the no-date Sub in its most classic form: clean dial, vintage proportions, and that “I’ve seen some things” energy even when it’s sitting perfectly polished in a watch box.
It’s also a watch that can feel strangely modern when you put it on the right strap. Not modern like “trendy,” more like it suddenly becomes easier to wear, less precious, more like a watch you actually live with. And honestly, that’s the whole point of a Submariner.
Strap size and fit on the Submariner 5513
Before you start choosing colors, lock in the fit.
The Submariner 5513 is a 40mm case and uses a 20mm lug width.
On Helvetus product pages, the option you must select is Submariner 40mm.
That’s the important click. With a vintage-style Sub, anything that doesn’t sit cleanly at the lugs looks wrong immediately. The case shape is too iconic to hide a sloppy fit. So if you want the strap to look like it belongs, choose Submariner 40mm and you avoid the “almost right” problem.
Best strap choices for the Rolex 5513
The 5513 is basically a blank canvas: black dial, black bezel, and that calm no-date symmetry. That means you can go classic… or you can have fun with it without the watch losing its identity.
Black deployant rubber
Black Rolex Submariner Rubber Strap
Let’s start with the obvious one. Black rubber on a 5513 is just correct. It keeps the watch looking like a Submariner should: purposeful, simple, and ready for anything.
On the wrist, black also has a way of making the vintage case feel even cleaner. No distraction, no competing colors, just that iconic dial and bezel. If you’re someone who rotates watches and wants the 5513 to remain the “always works” piece, black is the safe choice that doesn’t feel boring.
Pink deployant rubber
Pink Rolex Submariner Rubber Strap
Pink on a 5513 sounds like a joke until you see it. Then it suddenly makes sense.
Because the watch is so serious and so classic, a pink strap creates this great tension: vintage dive watch meets playful color. It doesn’t cheapen it, it makes it feel more personal. It’s the kind of combo that looks especially good in warm climates, with a tan, with casual clothes, and with that “I don’t need to prove anything” confidence.
This is not the strap for someone who wants their 5513 to look like a museum reference photo. It’s for someone who actually wears the watch and likes it to have a bit of attitude.
Yellow rubber
Yellow Rolex Submariner Rubber Strap
Yellow is the loudest option here, and that’s exactly why it works on the 5513. The black dial and bezel are the perfect backdrop, and the yellow brings in real dive-watch energy. It feels sporty, sunny, and slightly retro in the best way.
If you wear the 5513 mostly on weekends, on holidays, or as your summer watch, yellow is a great way to lean into that. It turns the watch into something that feels fun again, especially if you’ve spent years wearing black straps and black dials on repeat.
Buying the right strap from Helvetus
If you want to browse more colors or decide whether you prefer deployant or pin buckle, the Submariner collection page is the easiest way to see what’s available:
Rolex Submariner Rubber Straps
You’ll find a variety of colors there, and straps are available in both versions depending on what you like on the wrist. Deployant tends to feel consistent and secure once you’ve got the fit dialed in. Pin buckle is simple, quick, and has that classic strap feel that suits vintage watches nicely.
The main thing is that the straps are designed specifically to fit this Submariner case size properly, so the watch keeps its proportions and doesn’t end up looking like it’s wearing something generic.
A vintage Sub should still feel like a Sub
A 5513 has history baked in, but it shouldn’t feel fragile or untouchable. The right strap makes it easier to wear, easier to enjoy, and easier to make your own.
Helvetus keeps that part straightforward: a lifetime warranty, straps designed for a precise fit for this specific Rolex Submariner size, free worldwide shipping, and no import costs to deal with. And when you’ve got 30,000+ customers worldwide backing the brand with real orders, it makes experimenting with a bold color feel like a smart purchase instead of a random gamble.
Black if you want timeless. Pink if you want a curveball that somehow works. Yellow if you want the 5513 to feel like summer on the wrist.
