Important Modern & Vintage Timepieces

Monaco, Jul 19, 2022

LOT 273

ROLEX
REF. 6538, SELF-WINDING, DIVER'S, CENTRE-SECONDS, BLACK "GILT DIAL"; "SUBMARINER" SO-CALLED "JAMES BOND" "BIG CROWN"; STAINLESS STEEL

EUR 200,000 - 300,000

USD 212,000 - 316,000 / HKD 1,660,000 - 2,480,000 / CHF 202,000 - 304,000

Extremely rare and fine, stainless steel, self-winding, "tonneau"-shaped, diver’s wristwatch, water-resistant with screwed case-back, 60-minute graduated bidirectional revolving bezel with black insert for the decompression times; black “gilt” dial with centre-seconds and an extremely rare big logo bracelet stamped 2 59 matching exactly the stamping inside back cover II 59. Watch case in an exceptional state of preservation.


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Grading System
Grade:
Case: 2-8

Very good

Slightly scratched
Movement: 2*

Very good

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

Very good

HANDS Original

Brand Rolex, Geneva

Model “Oyster Perpetual” “Submariner, 200 m = 660 ft”; so-called “James Bond” “Big Crown”

Reference 6538

Year circa 1959

Movement No. 743 568

Case No. 449 310

Material stainless steel

Bracelet Stelinox stainless steel Rolex "Oyster" riveted bracelet with deployant clasp

Diameter 37.4 mm. (bezel)

Length 170 mm. (approx.)

Caliber 1530

Height 47.6 mm.

Width 37.5 mm.

Weight 87.2 gr. (approx.)

Signature dial, case and movement

Accessories original fitted box and outer box (Swiss invention patent No. 247 509), Chronometer certificate (blank), hang tag, advertising Rolex "Oyster"marine anchor

Notes

Rolex, “Submariner” so-called “James Bond”

The history that unites Rolex with the conquest of the oceans goes back to 1927, when Mercedes Gleitze (1900-1981), a young British swimmer, swam across the English Channel (October 7), with a Rolex “Oyster Perpetual” on her wrist. It is the first water-resistant wristwatch in the history of horology, with a screw-down winding- and setting-crown and case-back.

The “Submariner” model appeared in 1953. At that time, the watch was water-resistant to 100 metres. The first models, without crown protection (or crown-guard), are today nicknamed “James Bond” after the watch Reference 6538 worn by “Agent 007”, played on the screen by Sean Connery (1930-2020), in the films “Dr. No” (1962), “From Russia with Love” (1963) and “Goldfinger” (1964). There are two types of “James Bond” Rolex, which can be distinguished according to the size of the crown: small or large. The Reference 6538 worn by 007 is a “Big Crown”; this model is the most popular among collectors today.