Important Watches: Part II
Important Watches: Part II
Submariner 'Small Crown James Bond', Reference 6536/1 | A stainless steel wristwatch with bracelet | Circa 1957
Lot Closed
November 7, 12:36 PM GMT
Estimate
12,000 - 18,000 CHF
Lot Details
Description
Rolex
Submariner 'Small Crown James Bond', Reference 6536/1
A stainless steel wristwatch with bracelet
Circa 1957
Dial: black
Calibre: cal. 1030 automatic, 25 jewels
Movement number: N’690’233
Case: stainless steel, screw-down back
Case number: 229’711
Closure: stainless steel Rolex Oyster bracelet and folding clasp
Size: 40 mm diameter, bracelet circumference approximately 175 mm
Signed: case, dial and movement
Box: no
Papers: no
Accessories: none
The Rolex Submariner reference 6536 was introduced in 1956, or three years after the launch of the legendary divers’ wristwatch. It was produced between 1956 and 1958. The reference’s production began during the late manufacturing of the reference 6200 and was produced alongside its sister reference, the ‘Big Crown’ 6538. The reference 6536 boasts a 100 m water-resistance as well as a thin case, borrowed from the early 6205.
The Submariner reference 6536/1 was issued in three consecutive updates, which can be differentiated mainly by the bezel type and hands. The first iteration would bear a no-hash bezel in addition to a large white lollipop white seconds hand. The second iteration saw the introduction of the red triangle to its non-hash bezel as well as the fitting of a smaller lollipop seconds hand. Finally, the last iteration of the 6536/1 unveiled the hash markings to the bezel between 0 and 15 minutes, even if some examples do not bear the red triangle.
The present example is part of the last update. It has a hash bezel with the white triangle and still retains its original gilt hands.
This extremely collectable timepiece is a must in any vintage collection and remains an important piece in the development of the Submariner linage.