Rolex

• cal. 1030 nickel lever movement, mono-metallic compensation balance, 25 jewels, precision regulator, adjusted to 5 positions and temperature • aged black matte dial, luminescent triangle, dot and baton indexes, gilt minute tracking and printing, gilt luminescent Mercedes-style hands, sweep center seconds • tonneau water-resistant-type case with rotating black bezel calibrated for 60 units, featuring red triangle at 12 o'clock, large screw-down crown and screw back • case, dial, movement and bracelet signed • with a stainless steel Rolex Oyster stretch bracelet with deployant clasp

The movement is running, however we recommend service soon. The movement is stamped 1030 and N877893. The dial has aged very nicely and is now a dull black. It shows light wear and discoloration throughout. The printing and tracking all appears very nice. The hands are in good condition with a slight loss of luminescence to the minutes hand. The luminescence to the seconds hand appears to have possibly been re-applied. The case shows general wear, but it is in nice condition. The bezel appears clean with light wear. The case also has light scuffs throughout. There is a more significant scuff to the outside of the back. The numbers between the lugs read 6538 and 449024. Inside the back, the numbers read 6538 and II.59 and on the bracelet 65 to each end.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. All dimensions in catalogue descriptions are approximate. Condition reports may not specify mechanical replacements or imperfections to the movement, case, dial, pendulum, separate base(s) or dome. Watches in water-resistant cases have been opened to examine movements but no warranties are made that the watches are currently water-resistant. Please note that we do not guarantee the authenticity of any individual component parts, such as wheels, hands, crowns, crystals, screws, bracelets and leather bands, since subsequent repairs and restoration work may have resulted in the replacement of original parts. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue. In particular, please note it is the purchaser's responsibility to comply with any applicable import and export matters, particularly in relation to lots incorporating materials from endangered species.NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

**Please be advised that bands made of materials derived from endangered or otherwise protected species (i.e. alligator and crocodile) are not sold with the watches and are for display purposes only. We reserve the right to remove these bands prior to shipping.

Important Notice regarding importation into the United States of Rolex watches
Sotheby's cannot arrange for the delivery of Rolex watches to the United States because U.S. laws restricts the import of Rolex watches. The buyer or a designated agent may collect the property in the country of sale."

With the rise of sport watches used for underwater activities, including scuba diving, surfing and fishing, Rolex responded to market demands by introducing the Submariner at the Basel Fair in 1953. Initially the designs of these models were rather wide and different models had various dials, hands and case attributes.

By the time the present model, Ref. 6538, was released in the late 1950s, Rolex had settled on a design for the Submariner. The depth rating for the watch would be printed on the dial above 6 o'clock, along with the word Submariner, which was finally standardized around the same time. It would also have a rotating black bezel that could be used by divers for timing their oxygen reserve, as well as a screw-down crown that would allow the watch to withstand the pressures of underwater use.

When the Ref. 6538 replaced the older 6204, it was further rated to a depth of 660 feet or roughly 200 meters. It would also have a thicker case than its predecessor.

The most significant design feature of this model is the large crown with no crown guard shoulders. Now known to collectors as the 'large crown James Bond,' this model is especially rare, as Rolex would replace the large crown design (with a crown diameter of 8mm.) with a smaller one (with a diameter of 6mm.) by the end of the 1950s. For this reason, the larger crown with the word 'Brevet' commands more attention and more value in today's collecting world.

The nickname 'James Bond' comes from the fact that Submariner models without crown guards were frequently used in the Bond movies. In fact, it is likely that the Submariner used in some of the early Bond films, including 'Dr. No,' 'Goldfinger' and 'You Only Live Twice,' were examples of this model, Ref. 6538. Today any Submariner without crown guards, regardless of the reference or year of production, is referred to as a 'James Bond.'

For more information on this model and on the Submariner family of watches, Skeet, M. & Urul, N. Vintage Rolex Sports Models, pp. 20-25. For a similar example, see p. 31 of the same text.

For another James Bond model, Ref. 6536/1, see lot 122 in this sale.