26
Rolex
Ref. 6538
Submariner “Big Crown 4-Liner”
An extremely well-preserved, very rare, and highly attractive stainless steel diver’s wristwatch with “four liner” dial and bracelet
- Estimate
- $160,000 - 320,000
Lot Details
- Manufacturer
- Rolex
- Year
- 1958
- Reference No
- 6538
- Movement No
- N836’658, stamped ROW
- Case No
- 426’451, inside case back interior stamped iv.1958
- Model Name
- Submariner “Big Crown 4-Liner”
- Material
- Stainless steel
- Calibre
- Automatic, cal. 1030, 25 jewels
- Bracelet/Strap
- Stainless steel riveted Rolex Oyster bracelet, max overall length 215mm
- Clasp/Buckle
- Stainless steel Rolex deployant clasp, stamped 7-59
- Dimensions
- 37mm Diameter
- Signed
- Case, dial, movement, and clasp signed.
- Accessories
- Accompanied by a Rolex green leather presentation box
Specialist
Full-Cataloguing
Catalogue Essay
The present reference 6538 made in 1958 is amongst the most impressive and best preserved “Big Crown” Submariner wristwatches to appear publicly in recent years – and a dream watch for collectors in terms of its condition and originality.
First launched in 1955, reference 6538 is incredibly desirable today due to its rarity, robust proportions, and good looks. The model was in production for four short years, and is characterized by its black lacquer "Swiss"-signed dial, lack of crown guards and 8 millimeter crown, hence its name "Big Crown Submariner". Reference 6538 is forever immortalized onscreen, having accompanied Sean Connery’s James Bond on multiple secret missions. Bond’s chosen watch was a "Big Crown" Submariner on the films Dr. No, From Russia with Love, and Goldfinger. Consequently, reference 6538 is today also known as the "James Bond Submariner" to Rolex collectors and scholars.
This example, manufactured in approximately 1958, was produced towards the end of the reference's production period. Known as a "Four Liner", the beautifully preserved, glossy lacquered dial displays "Officially Certified Chronometer", comprising two lines of text underneath the depth rating. This designation denotes that the watch is fitted with a chronometer certified movement. "Four liner" dials are especially beloved by collectors, and considered rarer and more valuable than their "two-liner" counterparts. The dial is further enhanced by the lovely and fully intact luminous hour markers and hands that have aged to a lovely warm beige tone.
The present example is presented in an impressively preserved condition. It seems that the watch has spent its life securely stored away from the ocean and worn only occasionally. The case is crisp retaining the beautiful bevels and facets that run along the lugs as it left the factory. Most impressively, the caseback exhibits the factory original “Stainless Steel” engraving, which remains perfectly crisp – clear signs the case has most certainly never been polished.
To find such a well-preserved example that is now 67 years old is an incredible opportunity for a select few.
First launched in 1955, reference 6538 is incredibly desirable today due to its rarity, robust proportions, and good looks. The model was in production for four short years, and is characterized by its black lacquer "Swiss"-signed dial, lack of crown guards and 8 millimeter crown, hence its name "Big Crown Submariner". Reference 6538 is forever immortalized onscreen, having accompanied Sean Connery’s James Bond on multiple secret missions. Bond’s chosen watch was a "Big Crown" Submariner on the films Dr. No, From Russia with Love, and Goldfinger. Consequently, reference 6538 is today also known as the "James Bond Submariner" to Rolex collectors and scholars.
This example, manufactured in approximately 1958, was produced towards the end of the reference's production period. Known as a "Four Liner", the beautifully preserved, glossy lacquered dial displays "Officially Certified Chronometer", comprising two lines of text underneath the depth rating. This designation denotes that the watch is fitted with a chronometer certified movement. "Four liner" dials are especially beloved by collectors, and considered rarer and more valuable than their "two-liner" counterparts. The dial is further enhanced by the lovely and fully intact luminous hour markers and hands that have aged to a lovely warm beige tone.
The present example is presented in an impressively preserved condition. It seems that the watch has spent its life securely stored away from the ocean and worn only occasionally. The case is crisp retaining the beautiful bevels and facets that run along the lugs as it left the factory. Most impressively, the caseback exhibits the factory original “Stainless Steel” engraving, which remains perfectly crisp – clear signs the case has most certainly never been polished.
To find such a well-preserved example that is now 67 years old is an incredible opportunity for a select few.
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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