SIGNED ROLEX, OYSTER PERPETUAL, SUBMARINER, REF. 6204, CASE NO. 988'623, MANUFACTURED IN 1963

The present watch is a fine example of the rare Rolex reference 6204 with beautifully defined beveled edges on the lugs. This reference was not only the first Submariner offered by the company, but was also only in production for one year from 1953 until 1954. The Submariner in hand boasts an unrestored dial with a charming patina from age, as well as nicely aged luminous material on the hands and hour markers. The gilt printing and minute divisions are very clear. The hands are still original and the sweep centre seconds hand is easily recognizable by its characteristic luminous dot at the tip without pointed extension. Collectors call the elongated slim hands on this watch "pencil hands" and refer to the equally distinctive sweep centre seconds hand on this watch as "lollipop hands". There is also no depth rating on this dial as this indication only became a feature on future references. Several dial versions exist for reference 6204, differing in both wording and dial layout. The surface finish of the dial could be either black matte or black honeycomb. A further characteristic of this reference is the word "BREVET", which translates as "patented" and is located just above the reference number found between the lugs at 12 o'clock.

Reference 6204 was available in two bezel versions, one without the minute graduation for the first quarter, like the present watch, or the other with the graduation for the first 15 minutes. The minute graduation became a standard feature on the model's successors.

Without doubt an appealing timepiece to any Submariner collector, this is an increasingly rare opportunity to own an example of the first ever Submariner reference on the market.

For further details and illustrations see Rolex Submariner Story by Franca & Guido Mondani and Lele Ravagnani, pp. 8-17, as well as 213 and 214.