Rolex. A very fine and rare stainless steel automatic wristwatch with sweep centre seconds, large crown, bracelet, Submariner 200 card, Swimpruf Oyster tag, anchor and presentation box
On lots marked with an + in the catalogue, VAT wil… Read more
Rolex. A very fine and rare stainless steel automatic wristwatch with sweep centre seconds, large crown, bracelet, Submariner 200 card, Swimpruf Oyster tag, anchor and presentation box

Signed Rolex, Oyster Perpetual, 200m=660ft, Submariner, ref. 6538, case no. 426'200, circa 1956

Details
Rolex. A very fine and rare stainless steel automatic wristwatch with sweep centre seconds, large crown, bracelet, Submariner 200 card, Swimpruf Oyster tag, anchor and presentation box
Signed Rolex, Oyster Perpetual, 200m=660ft, Submariner, ref. 6538, case no. 426'200, circa 1956
Cal. 1030 mechanical movement, 25 jewels, black lacquer dial, luminous dot, baton and dagger numerals, luminous gilt Mercedes and sweep centre seconds hands, tonneau-shaped water-resistant-type case, revolving black bezel calibrated for 60 units, screw back, large screw down Brevet crown, stainless steel riveted Rolex Oyster bracelet, clasp stamped III.53, case, dial and movement signed
38 mm. diam.; overall bracelet length approx. 190 mm.
Special notice
On lots marked with an + in the catalogue, VAT will be charged at 8% on both the premium as well as the hammer price.

Lot Essay

With Rolex Submariner 200 card, Rolex Oyster Swimpruf tag, Rolex Oyster Guaranteed 660 ft./200 meters under water anchor and presentation box.

A highlight for the connoisseur of rare timepieces, this Submariner is preserved in very appealing overall condition. It is distinguished by its attractive and nicely aged black lacquer "Spider Web" dial, defined by the crisscrossing of light cracks throughout the entire dial. Like the colour shift of tropical dials, this characteristic is due to ageing and amplifies the collectability and aesthetic impact of the timepiece.

Reference 6538
Reference 6538, the upgraded version of reference 6200, was introduced to the market in 1955. It was depth rated to 200 meters (660 ft), featured an 8 mm. crown with no crown guards. The dial with gilt printing, with or without depth rating but with the gilt printed designation "Submariner", gilt "Mercedes" hands, the bezel with red triangle and divisions for the first 15 minutes. Between 1956 and 1958, a special issue of the model was made for the British Royal Navy and the Royal Canadian Navy.

Reference 6538 has come to international fame when prominently worn by 007 Agent James Bond during his stint in "Dr. No". Its first and best remembered appearance was when Bond enters a bar and while lighting a cigarette checks the precise time on his reliable tool watch. As a professional agent would expect, the explosive device previously planted by him blows up on the dot as indicated by his Submariner. Consequently, Bond and his reference 6538 are the only two "guests" to maintain their composure...

It is therefore no surprise that amongst thoroughbred Rolex aficionados, reference 6538 enjoys the most authentic status as the "James Bond" model, defined by its masculine case proportions and the large 8 mm. crown without crown guards, lending it an unmistakable look.

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