Rolex. A rare and early stainless steel automatic wristwatch with sweep centre seconds, bracelet, original guarantee, tag, anchor, brochure and box
On lots marked with an + in the catalogue, VAT wil… Read more
Rolex. A rare and early stainless steel automatic wristwatch with sweep centre seconds, bracelet, original guarantee, tag, anchor, brochure and box

Signed Rolex, Oyster Perpetual, Submariner Ref. 6204, case no. 988'894, circa 1954

Details
Rolex. A rare and early stainless steel automatic wristwatch with sweep centre seconds, bracelet, original guarantee, tag, anchor, brochure and box
Signed Rolex, Oyster Perpetual, Submariner Ref. 6204, case no. 988'894, circa 1954
MOVEMENT: automatic, cal. A.260, 19 jewels,
DIAL: black matte, luminous dot, baton and dagger numerals, luminous hands, outer minute division, sweep centre seconds
CASE: stainless steel tonneau-shaped, screw back, screw down crown, revolving black bezel calibrated to 60 units, 37 mm. diam.
SIGNED: case, dial and movement
BRACELET/CLASP: stainless steel Rolex Oyster extendable riveted bracelet, deployant clasp stamped 2.53, overall length of bracelet approx. 180 mm.
ACCOMPANIED BY: Rolex Garantie stamped by Joyeros Alberth SA, Jirón de la Unión 685 and dated 8 January 1958, period Rolex Oyster Guaranteed 660ft under water anchor, tag, brochure, presentation box and outer packaging
Special Notice
On lots marked with an + in the catalogue, VAT will be charged at 8% on both the premium as well as the hammer price.

Lot Essay

The present watch is a fine example of the rare Rolex reference 6204, the firm’s first Submariner, in production only for one year from 1953 until 1954. The presence of the original guarantee stamped by Joyeros Alberth SA, located in Lima, Peru, and the other period accessories further enhance its appeal.

In very attractive overall condition it features the for the model typical elongated “pencil hands”, the sweep centre seconds hand is easily recognizable by its characteristic luminous dot at the tip without pointed extension, the so-called "lollipop hand". The dial features already the designation “Submariner” however no depth rating as this indication only became a feature on future references. A further characteristic of reference 6204 is the word "BREVET”, patented, 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.

More from Rare Watches Including Nautilus 40 Part II

View All
View All