Rolex

• cal. 1030 nickel lever movement, mono-metallic compensation balance, 25 jewels, precision regulator, adjusted to five positions and temperature • aged black-to-brown 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 USA stretch bracelet with deployant clasp

The movement is running, however it might require service soon. The movement is numbered 837042. The dial has aged to a beautiful dark caramel color. The luminescent indexes are aged and show some dirt. The hands have aged to the same color as the numerals. The case shows signs of wear and surface scuffs. The lugs are scuffed and the outside of the back shows some pitting. The bezel has some scuffs and loss of paint to the metal insert, particularly toward the top. The pearl indication is missing. The numbers between the lugs are 449170 and 6538. The bracelet is Rolex USA and very worn, but not too stretched.
"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."

The most striking design feature of this model, Ref. 6538, is the large crown with no crown guard shoulders. Now known to collectors as the 'big crown James Bond', this model is especially rare, as Rolex would replace the large crown (with a 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 present example, a second-generation Ref. 6538, shows the phrase 'Officially Certified Chronometer' below the word 'Submariner'. It is interesting to note that the earlier generation Ref. 6538 featured the same movement, but was not designated as such on the dial. This expanded signature is commonly known as the 'four-line' dial and is highly collectible. The beautiful chocolate-tone dial on the present lot makes it even more rare and interesting to collectors.  

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.