Important Modern & Vintage Timepieces
Monaco, Jul 25, 2023
LOT 96
ROLEX, REF. 6538, SUBMARINER, AUTOMATIC, STAINLESS STEEL, "BIG CROWN"
EUR 50,000 - 80,000
USD 55,000 - 87,000 / HKD 426,000 - 690,000 / CHF 49,000 - 79,000
Very fine and rare, self winding, stainless steel wristwatch with black patinated dial and lollipop center-second hand.
| Grading System | |
|---|---|
Grade: AAA |
Excellent |
Case: 2-7-8-17-18 |
Very good Oxidized Slightly scratched Slightly spotted Spotted |
Movement: 2* |
Very good Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense |
Dial: 3-01-7-10-18 |
Good HANDS Original Oxidized Patinated Spotted |
Brand Rolex, SWISS
Model Submariner
Reference 6538
Year Purchased 29.06.1960
Movement No. 733561
Case No. 307596
Material Stainless steel
Bracelet rolex stainless steel bracelet, 153 mm (approx.)
Diameter 36 mm (approx.)
Caliber 1030, 25 jewels
Signature Dial, case and movement
Accessories Original fitted box, outer box, chronometer certificate, service booklet, leather green Rolex holding documents, hang-tag, anchor
Notes
** This lot might need a passeport and/or licence of exportationfor which will apply on your behalf to the French Ministry of Culture. Note, it may take 1 to 3 month(s) to obtain this license or passport. Antiquorum cannot be held responsible for any delays in the application process.
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, "200 mt | 660 ft" faint writing, oxidated dial.
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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.
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, "200 mt | 660 ft" faint writing, oxidated dial.
--
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.