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Rolex. A fine and rare stainless steel automatic wristwatch with gilt dial and red depth rating Submariner Red Depth, Ref: 6536/1, Circa 1956 image 1
Rolex. A fine and rare stainless steel automatic wristwatch with gilt dial and red depth rating Submariner Red Depth, Ref: 6536/1, Circa 1956 image 2
Lot 36Ω

Rolex. A fine and rare stainless steel automatic wristwatch with gilt dial and red depth rating
Submariner Red Depth, Ref: 6536/1, Circa 1956

Fine Watches
15 December 2021, 14:00 GMT
London, New Bond Street

£60,000 - £80,000

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Rolex. A fine and rare stainless steel automatic wristwatch with gilt dial and red depth rating

Model: Submariner Red Depth
Reference: 6536/1
Date: Circa 1956
Movement: 25-jewel Cal.1030 automatic, Glucydor balance, No.DN679886
Dial: Black, luminous dot hour markers, baton quarters, gilt outer minute divisions, gilt Mercedes hands with luminous inserts, lollipop centre seconds
Case: Brushed and polished tonneau form, screw down back date coded IV.55, screw down crown, bi-directional black faded calibrated bezel, No.112341
Strap/Bracelet: Brown suede leather
Buckle/Clasp: Associated stainless steel buckle
Signed: Case, dial & movement
Size: 37mm

Footnotes

The Submariner ref.6536-1 is one of the earlier Submariner references that was only produced for a few years whilst Rolex were perfecting the model. It went through numerous alterations before arriving at the noteworthy references 5512 and 5513, produced from 1959 and 1962 respectively. The 6536-1 has a thinner case than other models of the period but showcases the classic features of the early models; no crown guards (the small crown itself only allowing for water-resistancy up to 100m), the bezel insert has no minute markers for the first 15 minutes (such as would be found on later models) and a gilt dial. The current example is particularly desirable with the depth rating in red which is a very rare feature. There are no units of measurement (feet or meters) on the dial making this a particularly early example as later models would have the units indicated.

The popularity of pre-crown guard Submariners has surged in recent years, thanks in no small part to their presence in the James Bond favourites "Dr. No" and "Goldfinger".

Additional information

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