Introduced in 1955, the Rolex Submariner ref. 6536/1 was released to replace the former ref. 6536 and remained in production until 1959. Sought after due to its timeless aesthetics and its rarity, the ref. 6536/1 is without a doubt one of the most attractive Submariner references ever produced.
Encased in a robust stainless steel 37mm diameter Oyster case, the ref. 6536/1 features a small Brevet crown measuring a significantly smaller 6mm compared to the ref. 6538 “Big Crown” with a 8mm Brevet crown. While aesthetically, the ref. 6536/1 remains very similar to its previous model, however the new reference featured the chronometer rated cal. 1030, with a depth rating of 100 meters.
The present example from circa 1956 is offered in excellent overall condition boasting an attractive case with crisp and desired bevels with thick and prominent lugs. Furthermore, the dial is nice and original with strong radium readings under a Geiger counter. The luminous material on the dial has aged beautifully and further heightens the appeal for this present example.
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.
