Revolution: The Evolution of the Role...

New York, Apr 17, 2008

LOT 153

Ref. 6204 Pre-Rating Rolex, ?Oyster, Perpetual", Ref. 6204, ?pre-rating?. Made in 1953. Fine and rare center seconds, self-winding, stainless steel wristwatch with black graduated bezel. Accompanied by its original warranty (now void), pamphlet, sales brochure and fitted box.

USD 15,000 - 20,000

EUR 10,000 - 13,000

Sold: USD 38,400

C. Three body, polished and brushed, screwed case back and crown, graduated bi-directional revolving bezel. D. Black with luminous indexes. Luminous skeletonized hands. M. Cal. A260, 9 3/4???, rhodium-plated, 19 jewels, lever escapement, Superbalance, shock-absorber, self-compensating Breguet balance spring. Dial, case and movement signed. Diam. 37 mm. Thickness 13 mm.


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Grading System
Grade:
Case: 3

Good
Movement: 3-6*

Good

Slightly oxidized

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 3-6-01

Good

Slightly oxidized

HANDS Original

Notes

The Reference 6204 really constitutes the pre-Submariner era. The later models would feature the word ?Submariner? on the dial, or in certain very rare cases with the word ?Submariner? blacked-out (see lot 154). The present watch is probably a very rare early example not having any inscription or depth rating
Rolex introduced the ?Submariner? at the 1954 Basel Watch Fair. The first production model, available to the public that same year, was Ref. 6204. Ref. 6204 was the watch that first became to be known as the ?Submariner?, although when it was originally displayed at the Basel Fair it was promoted as the new scuba diving watch, without the word ?Submariner? on the dial. This was in part to the growing trend of scuba diving and the need to for a waterproof timing device at depths. Ref. 6204 was water-resistant to 600 feet and used the Rolex caliber A260 movement. It differed considerably from Ref. 6200, having a slimmer case, small crown and parallel hands with a dot at the end of the seconds hand.