Property of a Japanese Collector
1072
Rolex
Ref. 6536/1
Submariner "Small Crown"
An early, rare and attractive stainless steel diver’s wristwatch with center seconds, black lacquered dial and bracelet
- Estimate
- HK$100,000 - 200,000€11,100 - 22,200$12,800 - 25,600
HK$190,500
Lot Details
- Manufacturer
- Rolex
- Year
- Circa 1957
- Reference No
- 6536/1
- Movement No
- N’727’634
- Case No
- 230’065, repeated inside caseback and stamped “I.57”
- Model Name
- Submariner "Small Crown"
- Material
- Stainless steel
- Calibre
- Automatic, cal. 1030, 25 jewels
- Bracelet/Strap
- Stainless steel riveted Rolex Oyster bracelet stamped “7206”, endlinks stamped “80”, max length 190mm
- Clasp/Buckle
- Stainless steel Rolex Oyster deployant clasp stamped “2-69”
- Dimensions
- 37.5mm diameter
- Signed
- Case, dial, movement, bracelet and clasp signed
Specialist
Full-Cataloguing
Catalogue Essay
Introduced in 1955, the Rolex Submariner ref. 6536/1 remained in production for a short 4 years until 1959. According to scholarship, around 5,350 examples were created during this production span.
Housed in a robust stainless steel Oyster case with a diameter of 37.5mm, the ref. 6536/1 features a small Brevet crown measuring just 6mm, notably smaller than the 8mm Brevet crown found on the ref. 6538 “Big Crown.”
This example, bearing a 230’xxx serial number, was made circa 1957 and is presented in very good overall condition, showcasing a strong case with well-defined bevels and thick, prominent lugs. The dial is original and retains impressive radium readings on a Geiger counter. The luminous material has aged beautifully, and the large white lollipop seconds hand complements nicely with the non-hashed bezel, which features a slightly faded red triangle on top, enhancing the vintage allure of this timepiece.
The dial itself is in remarkable condition, featuring bold gilt printing. Notably, the luminous marker at 6 o'clock is significantly brighter than the other luminous plots, as is typical for Submariner dials from this era. Overall, this is an rare find for any Rolex connoisseur seeking a high-quality 6536 “Small Crown” on the market.
Housed in a robust stainless steel Oyster case with a diameter of 37.5mm, the ref. 6536/1 features a small Brevet crown measuring just 6mm, notably smaller than the 8mm Brevet crown found on the ref. 6538 “Big Crown.”
This example, bearing a 230’xxx serial number, was made circa 1957 and is presented in very good overall condition, showcasing a strong case with well-defined bevels and thick, prominent lugs. The dial is original and retains impressive radium readings on a Geiger counter. The luminous material has aged beautifully, and the large white lollipop seconds hand complements nicely with the non-hashed bezel, which features a slightly faded red triangle on top, enhancing the vintage allure of this timepiece.
The dial itself is in remarkable condition, featuring bold gilt printing. Notably, the luminous marker at 6 o'clock is significantly brighter than the other luminous plots, as is typical for Submariner dials from this era. Overall, this is an rare find for any Rolex connoisseur seeking a high-quality 6536 “Small Crown” on the market.
Rolex
Swiss | 1905Founded in 1905 England by Hans Wilsdorf and Alfred Davis as Wilsdorf & Davis, it soon became known as the Rolex Watch Company in 1915, moving its headquarters to Geneva in 1919. Like no other company, the success of the wristwatch can be attributed to many of Rolex's innovations that made them one of the most respected and well-known of all luxury brands. These innovations include their famous "Oyster" case — the world's first water resistant and dustproof watch case, invented in 1926 — and their "Perpetual" — the first reliable self-winding movement for wristwatches launched in 1933. They would form the foundation for Rolex's Datejust and Day-Date, respectively introduced in 1945 and 1956, but also importantly for their sports watches, such as the Explorer, Submariner and GMT-Master launched in the mid-1950s.One of its most famous models is the Cosmograph Daytona. Launched in 1963, these chronographs are without any doubt amongst the most iconic and coveted of all collectible wristwatches. Other key collectible models include their most complicated vintage watches, including references 8171 and 6062 with triple calendar and moon phase, "Jean Claude Killy" triple date chronograph models and the Submariner, including early "big-crown" models and military-issued variants.
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