Revolution: The Evolution of the Role...

New York, Apr 17, 2008

LOT 152

Ref. 6200, Submariner, Explorer Dial Rolex, ?Oyster Perpetual?, Ref. 6200. Made circa 1953. Fine and very rare, center seconds, self-winding, water-resistant, stainless steel diver's wristwatch with bi-directional revolving black bezel and large 8 mm winding crown.

USD 80,000 - 120,000

EUR 55,000 - 80,000

Sold: USD 131,400

C. Three-body, polished and brushed, screwed-down case back and crown, bi-directional revolving graduated black bezel without minute/second graduation from zero point to 15. D. Black with luminous Arabic numerals and baton indexes, outer minute/seconds track. Steel skeleton hands. M. Cal. A 296, rhodium-plated, 19 jewels, straight line lever escapement, monometallic balance, shock absorber, self-compensating Breguet balance spring. Dial, case and movement signed. Diam. 38 mm. Thickness 13 mm


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Grading System
Grade: AAA

Excellent
Case: 3-7

Good

Oxidized
Movement: 3*

Good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 3-01

Good

HANDS Original

Notes

It is assumed that the official 1954 launch in Basel proves that Ref. 6204 was the first Submariner model. However, it appears likely that Ref. 6200 was in fact the first Submariner produced. Rolex used chronological numbering for its watch models. Thus, Ref. 6200 was probably produced before Ref. 6204. Further, the A260 movement fitted to the 6204 followed and improved upon the A296 movement fitted to the 6200 (unlike watch model numbers, movement numbers were not always chronological). Finally, the early versions of the 6200 had the same type of dial used in 1953 on the Explorer models (the now highly collectible 3-6-9 dial with an equilateral triangle at 12). It is thought that for commercial reasons Rolex held back the 6200 in favor of the 6204, which had a slimmer case and smaller winder. It appears that Rolex used two different types of font on the 6200, one large and one smaller