As the earliest Submariner reference introduced by Rolex, the reference 6204 is the seminal reference for one of the most iconic timepieces of the modern era. Even in 1953, it displayed the characteristics of the same Submariner that is beloved to this day, with the rotating, 60-minute graduated bezel, luminous hour markers, wide and curvaceous bevels running through the length of the case, and durable Oyster bracelet.

Early examples of the reference bore cases engraved with the 900’XXX serial range, dating them to the beginning of 1953. Water resistant to 100 meters, they were fitted with a “small crown,” engraved with a Rolex coronet above the brevet cross. Powered the automatic caliber A260, it leveraged design features from the “bubblebacks” of the era, sharing the same caliber and slightly bulging casebacks. Secured under an acrylic, domed “Tropic 16”, lies a beautiful gilt dial without depth rating, adorned with luminous hour markers and crowned by rare and early pencil hands.

The present example of the reference 6204 bears all of the above attributes in splendid original condition, down to the original crystal and riveted Oyster bracelet stamped with the date code 2.53. Rarely has a more completely original example, with each component in a superb state of preservation, been offered publicly. From the perfectly intact luminous hour markers and hands, impressively crisp bezel, fully unpolished case, and even original crystal, this watch is truly a mid-century time capsule. Coming from the collection of an important European collector, it is sure to impress the most discerning of Rolex scholars and enthusiasts.