Rolex This Rolex Submariner Big Crown ref.6538 has been estimated between $300,000.- and $600,000.- USD (261,000-521,000) which shows that expectations are high. 1967 - Switch from gilt to matte dials. All Rights Reserved. Antiquorum #310 - 2017-11 - Important Modern & Vintage Timepieces. Although it was not the very first iteration of the Submariner that Rolex ever produced, the reference 6538 is possibly one of the most famous Rolex watches ever manufactured. Quotations for second hand watches Rolex Submariner 6538, Price of second hand watches Rolex Submariner 6538. There were the chronometer-certified versions that featured four lines of text on the dial to accommodate the Officially Certified Chronometer inscription. A red triangle, no minute divisions (normally until the 15-minute marker), drilled and no lume pearl. Alongside running the premier retailer of pre-owned Rolex watches, Paul is a prominent Rolex watch collector himself amassing one of the largest private collections of rare timepieces. The First James Bond Wore This Rolex | GQ As there are always different approaches or stories been told, I like to share that information which is important to understand the early U.K. military. Those that follow the Big Crown market will know that these four-line versions are often relumed or in extremely rough condition given that the original purchasers often had a very specific tool-oriented reason to be paying the approximately 30% extra these watches originally cost for the more accurate chronometer-rated version. This post was written by Philipp on March 1, 2016. Depending on provenance, condition, and the specific variation, the price of Submariner ref. Among the most immediately noticeable differences between certain types of the watch is whether they have what is known as 2-line or 4-line dials. Rolexs calibre 3135 and calibre 3130 are nearly identical movements, and given the difference in release dates, it seems as though the calibre 3130 was developed simply to give Rolex a non-date version of their highly successful, ultra-reliable and widely used calibre. The Rolex Submariner reference 6538 with the oversized 8mm crown is among the most iconic and highly-coveted sports watches. Mouvement automatique calibre 1030. The watch has a simple yet timeless aesthetic and doesn't overwhelm the wrist unlike some more modern divers. The calibre 3135 uses 31 jewels, and has a diameter of 28.5mm, with a height of 6mm. Other disparities, such as missing units on the depth rating or various lines of text picked out in red, represent particularly rare versions of an already scarce watch. GDRP, About us Regarding the back cover of 6538, I checked and found that there are two types. And on the other sides, nothing! Description;CIRCA: 1957;CASE MATERIAL: Stainless steel;CASE DIAMETER: 37mm;DIAL: Blackish-brown;MOVEMENT: Automatic;FUNCTIONS: Time only;CALIBER: 1030;ACCESSORIES: Original chronometer certification papers (with matching movement number);Please note this lot is the property of a private collector;Please note this lot is the property of a private individual. Unique Rolex A6538 UK Military Big Crown Submariner Cadran noir laqu avec index luminescents. Diving had reached a high point in popularity in the early '60s and was seen as an activity for the bold and adventurous making dive . Stainless steel case; rotating bezel with black insert. Most reference 6538 Submariners were thoroughly worn by their users, often through a variety of demanding conditions, and many were lost or broken long before they would ever have the chance to become collectable. He is widely considered a pioneer in the industry for bringing transparency and innovation to a once-considered stagnant industry. the hassle. 1030, 25 jewels;Dial: Black, luminous dot, dagger and baton numerals, luminous hands, center seconds;Case: Stainless steel, black bezel, screw back, inside case back stamped 6538 and III.57, 37mm diam. In the early days of the Submariner (introduced in Basel in 1954), things were a bit messy with the references and models. 6538 Submariner, or the Bond Sub, or the Big Crown Sub if you prefer, is a grail watch in the eyes of most Rolex collectors. He is widely considered a pioneer in the industry for bringing transparency and innovation to a once-considered stagnant industry. Produced only in the latter part of the 1950s, the reference 6538 became famous on the late Sean Connery's wrist while portraying James Bond in the 1962 film Dr. Rolex Submariner 6538 - 2 For Sale on 1stDibs any Heres the third A/6538 6540 with Burford dial I found in Germany on a flee market, without the german silver bezel Mike describe up here, probably lost in combat instead it had a ring of a door closure mounted! It is believed that only 30% of the 6538's produced received the certified 1030 movements and the 4 line dials making them much rarer and thus much more collectible today. The very first Submariner was the reference 6204, which was released in 1953. At the heart of the reference 116610 Submariner (with date), beats Rolexs calibre 3135 movement. Join us Bonds Submariner 6538 reappeared in some following 007 films including,From Russia with Love(1963),Goldfinger(1964), andThunderball(1965). Based on our inspection we believe the white sweep-seconds hand is original although it does seem to have been repainted at some point. Both Connery and Roger Moore sported a number of different Sub references during their respective tenures, but its the first model 007 wore as he set about ruining Dr. Nos plans for world domination that will be forever known as the Bond Submariner, a vintage Rolex Submariner that is incredibly hard to find. This is due to known examples becomingincreasingly harder to source, which is a result of low production numbers and increasingly high desirability within the vintage Rolex collector community. The 1030 caliber, best working under any condition and most accurate movement Rolex has made, Up close, the referencenumbers that was engraved by Rolex between the lugs. Rolex Submariner | Chrono24.com The gilt Rolex text, outer minute track, and marker surrounds are a vibrant gold color. Older Submariner watch cases are 40 mm made of a solid block of 904L stainless steel. Items Similar to Rolex Submariner Big Crown Gilt Dial 6538 Red Triangle James Bond Watch 1959 View More. The production of this special BC started already and was designed to be named Ref 6540 but as orders stayed behind, Rolex decided to make the spin off A/6538 reference instead. So this explains the four liner designation. A Closer Look At A Submariner Big Crown Four Liner 6538 1030, 25 jewels;Dial: Black, luminous Arabic, baton and dagger numerals, luminous Mercedes hands, center seconds, red depth rating;Case: Stainless steel, screw back, inside case back stamped 6538 and 1.56, 37mm diam. I think that those that are around are made by service parts that where found with ex watchmakers. Paul Altieri is a vintage and pre-owned Rolex specialist, entrepreneur, and the founder and CEO of BobsWatches.com. Real-time trigger alerts. This picture below taken during last Rolex Passion Meeting. With a diameter of just 37.5mm, it looks very distinguished and the big crown (8mm diameter) gives you immediately the feeling of having a proper vintage tool watch on the wrist. ;Signed Dial, case and movement. Youd even see one with the Explorer set-up regarding the dial. Whats more, the superspy famously wore it not on the customary Oyster bracelet, but on a striped NATO-style strap that looked a little too slim for the watch. Are Conglomerates Eroding The Origins Of Luxury Watchmaking? sells. Discover our extensive assortment and immerse yourself in the world of horological brilliance. of its Kazuo, By Appointment Only MON - FRI 9AM - 5PM (PST). 6536, produced for just one year in 1955, has become a serious contender as one of the most studied vintage pieces in the series and was reportedly a transitional model for Rolex. After many hours of hand polishing the crystal from both sides and gentle cleaning the prototype bezel after I removed it carefully and after I rcleaned the dial even more carefully with a soft brush, while wearing a cover over my mouth to keep the radium dust out, here is the final result for you. So far 3 x mythical Ref. Although this window of production is larger than those of other vintage Submariner references manufactured around the same time, surviving examples in original condition have become quite rare and valuable today. Bob's Watches is not affiliated with Rolex S.A., Rolex USA, or Rolex. One is flat and the other is round like a bubble back. But robust or not, damage to certain elements of the watch worn under these conditions was inevitable. While a quarter of a million dollars is certainly at the top of the price range for a Submariner ref. 2010 - 2023 Rolex Passion Report - Privacy Policy, The Vintage Rolex Buyers Guide by Philipp Stahl, Most probably this example is so well preserved because the movement broke down and therefor it didnt got worn into the 1960-ies because it wasnt running when the MoD requested to have reprinted all the radium dial to new tritium standard. The four lines of text at the 6 oclock position remain intact and legible, showing light age. 10 CD & MoD military code: 0552/923-7697. 1962 was the year thatDr. No, the very first 007 film, came out; and the Submariner was less than a decade old then. and/or Bob's Watches is not affiliated with Rolex S.A., Rolex USA, or The rest is history. The movement no. The watches released before the Cal. Rolex Submariner 16610 Stainless Steel Men's Watch - Automatic winding, 31 jewels, Quickset, sapphire crystal. subsidiaries. Unlike the normal 6538 bezels, which were made of a brass/zinc alloy which was then rhodium plated, these new bezels were made of German Silver (an alloy of Nickel, Copper & Zinc) the great advantage of the German Silver over the previous alloy was that when struck it tended to dent rather than break. Below the obligatory group shot during the Issued meeting of 26 x full spec Rolex Military Submariners, The H.S. A fine and very rare stainless steel automatic wristwatch with tropical gilt 2-line dial, big crown and painted lollipop centre seconds;Signed Rolex, Oyster Perpetual, 200m=660ft, Submariner, ref. None. Sold: CHF 35,000, Christies #16201 - 2018-06 - An Evening of Exceptional Watches, Rolex. Issued Rolex Meeting in London which you find over here. 6538. Shop All Pre-Owned Rolex Watches. Hence the fixed spring bars making it impossible to loose the timepiece, And another rare A/6538, ex Mike Wood, which has the silver german bezel and fixed bars but also with reprinted unoriginal Burford dial and later bezel insert. The watch looks to be unpolished and absolutely deadstock. Theres also Submariner 6538 with an Explorer-style dial characterized by numerals at 3, 6, and 9 oclock. This leaves onlythe very few examples to make it out of collections or to still be discovered appear primarily in auctions and private sales, just a couple of times per year. First introduced in 1988, the calibre 3135 has powered the majority of Rolexs date-displaying, automatic watches for nearly three decades. So one of the films producers, Albert Cubby Broccoli, took the Submariner from his wrist and handed it to Sean Connery. The dials of the A/6538 followed exactly the first dials from the civil 6538, which is they were of the Explorer configuration with large 3/6/9 in radium numerals on a glossy black dial. Paul Altieri is a trusted and recognized authority in the watch industry with a proven track record of expertise, professionalism, and commitment to excellence. 2023 Monochrome, An online magazine dedicated to fine watches, This article has been written byPaul Altieri, Founder and CEO of, Stay up to date with the latest post and updates. Lost during action and after many years in the breakers of the sea before it got discovered with a metal detector as the story goes. 1030 automatic, 25 jewels,Case: stainless steel, screw down case back,Case number: 426'511,Closure: stainless steel Rolex Oyster bracelet and folding clasp,Size: 38 mm diameter . An inside look at the 1030 movement. Rolex produced the chronometer and non-chronometer Submariner 6538 watches around the same time, and both versions had gilt-gloss dials with chapter rings.

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