Important Modern & Vintage Timepieces

Hong Kong, Jul 09, 2016

LOT 460

ROLEX REF 6536/6538 RED DEPTH RATING STEEL Rolex, Oyster Perpetual, "Submariner, 100/ 330,"case No. 89377, Ref. 6536/6538, made circa 1955. Fine and very rare, center seconds, self-winding, water-resistant, stainless steel wristwatch.

HKD 466,000 - 700,000

USD 60,000 - 90,000 / CHF 58,000 - 86,500

Sold: HKD 810,000

Three-body, polished and brushed, screwed-down case back with inside stamped 6538 scribed out and also stamped 6536, screw-down Oyster crown, graduated bi-directional revolving black bezel calibrated to 60 minutes. Black with luminous baton, triangular and round indexes, DEPTH rating printed in red. Gilt luminous skeleton hands. Cal. 1030, rhodium-plated, 25 jewels, straight-line lever escapement, monometallic balance adjusted to temperatures and 5 positions, shock absorber, self-compensating Breguet balance spring.


LOADING IMAGES
Click to full view
Image
Grading System
Grade:
Case: 2

Very good
Movement: 2*

Very good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 2-01

Very good

HANDS Original

Notes

Dial, case and movement signed. DIAM. 37mm. THICKNESS 15mm. The REF. 6536 with red DEPTH rating, as offered here, represents one of the earliest and rarest SUBMARINER models for collectors; only in production for a very short period of time circa 1955, all of the examples to be offered publicly to date feature serial numbers starting 89XXX. It is probable the model was released in a small test batch with the simple red DEPTH print 100/330 and no meters or feet rating used, then promptly updated to the silver print 100m = 330ft we see as standard on later examples. Further evidence of the model being released as a test batch can be found on the inner case back. Examples known feature the REFERENCE 6538 stamped to the inside, this is then factory triple scribed out and the second REFERENCE 6536 stamped in a new location.