Rolex. A fine and very rare stainless steel automatic wristwatch with sweep centre seconds and tropical bezel

On lots marked with an + in the catalogue, VAT wil… Read more

The Rolex SubmarinerImmortalised by Sean Connery’s James Bond in the 1960s, the Submariner is a very special Rolex model with unique multi-layered appeal - serious technical innovation, a long and fascinating history, rugged practicality and glamour. This is a model that can truly be said to have that indefinable quality – style.In 1950, Rolex director Rene Jeanneret encouraged the company to make a diver’s watch. By 1953, the new model 6200 had been tested by Auguste Piccard and his son on a world-record diving attempt and deemed successful. In 1964 the new “Submariner” was launched at the Basel Fair, it was waterproof to 200 metres (660 feet), at the time a new achievement for any watch.In common with all Rolex models, the submariner has undergone several incarnations over the years, all naturally very desirable - from the early references of the 1960s and the great rarities such as the 5512 “Explorer Dial” (Lot 268), the white gold 1680 prototype (Lot 272) and the Everest Comex (Lot 273) to the modern 50th anniversary model (Lot 275).6205 Submariner

Rolex. A fine and very rare stainless steel automatic wristwatch with sweep centre seconds and tropical bezel

Signed Rolex, Oyster Perpetual, Submariner, ref. 6205, case no. 21’488, circa 1954

Details

Rolex. A fine and very rare stainless steel automatic wristwatch with sweep centre seconds and tropical bezel
Signed Rolex, Oyster Perpetual, Submariner, ref. 6205, case no. 21’488, circa 1954
Movement: automatic, jeweled
Dial: black, gloss, dot baton and dagger luminous numerals, luminous hands
Case: screw back, bidirectional revolving tropical brown bezel graduated for 60 units
Signed: case, dial and movement
Dimensions: 37.5 mm. diam.
With: stainless steel Rolex buckle, additional stainless steel deployant clasp.

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 1950s saw the birth of a number of extremely rare Rolex references. This is most probably due to Rolex fine tuning its products for the professional market, and thus we can see models in production for a very short time, and soon upgraded to a new version. Reference 6205, for example, was in production only from 1954 to 1955. It is the evolution of reference 6205, and it presents a sturdier case design with a more domed case back. The crown as well increases in size, from 5.3 mm. of ref. 6205 to 6 mm., in order to offer an easier time-setting procedure. Interestingly, the new case design does not impact on the depth rating, which remains 100m/330ft

More from Rare Watches and a Rolex Afternoon

View All