Rolex - The Geneva Watch Auction: XIII Geneva Saturday, May 8, 2021 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: Circa 1955
    Reference No: 6536/1 inside caseback stamped IV.55
    Movement No: N'573'959
    Case No: 112'069
    Model Name: Submariner
    Material: Stainless steel
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. 1030, 25 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Stainless steel Rolex Oyster bracelet, max length 195mm
    Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Rolex deployant clasp
    Dimensions: 37mm Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed

  • Catalogue Essay

    Introduced in 1955, reference 6536/1 replaced reference 6536 and remained in production until 1959. Today, it is one of the most sought-after vintage Submariner references due to its design and modern proportions.

    The present example is stunningly and impressively preserved with thick lugs, large crisp bevels and strong proportions. The numbers between the lugs are particularly crisp and barely show any signs of wear, which is particularly noteworthy, considering the age of the timepiece. The dial is in equally impressive condition with its strong gilt print. The luminous marker at 6 o'clock is most notably much brighter than the other lume plots as expected from submariner dials of this age.

    The connoisseur will notice a small - yet very rare – detail on the lower part of the dial: the depth rating is rendered in red script. Most commonly, this reference features the "m" and "ft" units of measure in the depth rating in gilt. Such a unit-less red variation is extremely rare and particularly collectable.

    Its overall rarity and impeccable condition make the present Submariner a trophy for the connoisseur of rare timepieces.

  • Artist Biography

    Rolex

    Swiss • 1905

    Founded 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.

    View More Works

182

Ref. 6536/1 inside caseback stamped IV.55
A highly rare, impressive and attractive stainless steel wristwatch with "red depth" rating, center seconds and bracelet

Circa 1955
37mm Diameter
Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed

Estimate
CHF50,000 - 100,000 
€45,300-90,700
$54,400-109,000

Sold for CHF151,200

Contact Specialist

Alexandre Ghotbi
Head of Watches, Continental Europe and the Middle East

41 79 637 1724
aghotbi@phillips.com

 

 

The Geneva Watch Auction: XIII

Geneva Auction 8 - 9 May 2021