ROLEX. A HIGHLY CHARISMATIC AND VERY RARE STAINLESS STEEL AUTOMATIC SWEEP CENTRE SECONDS WRISTWATCH WITH BRACELET
Lot 2597

ROLEX. A HIGHLY CHARISMATIC AND VERY RARE STAINLESS STEEL AUTOMATIC SWEEP CENTRE SECONDS WRISTWATCH WITH BRACELET

SIGNED ROLEX, OYSTER PERPETUAL, SUBMARINER MODEL, REF. 6538, CASE NO. 449'296, CIRCA 1959

Closed27 November 2013

Price Realised

HKD 687,500

More Information

How to sell

ROLEX. A HIGHLY CHARISMATIC AND VERY RARE STAINLESS STEEL AUTOMATIC SWEEP CENTRE SECONDS WRISTWATCH WITH BRACELET
SIGNED ROLEX, OYSTER PERPETUAL, SUBMARINER MODEL, REF. 6538, CASE NO. 449'296, CIRCA 1959
Cal. 1030 automatic lever movement, 25 jewels, brown-coloured gloss dial, luminous dot, baton and dagger numerals, luminous mercedes hand, sweep centre seconds, tonneau-shaped water-resistant-type case, screw back, large screw down crown, revolving bezel calibrated for 60 units, stainless steel Rolex Oyster bracelet, case, dial and movement signed
37 mm. diam.

Specialist note

US$80,000-150,000

The present reference 6538 is a spectacular example featuring an eye-catching brown tone dial, in superb original condition. The extraordinary ageing to the dial surface is beautifully even, transforming the standard look of a reference 6538 into this perfectly aged "work-of-art". One can only try to describe the colour of this dial, which changes pending the light, from warm chocolate to striking camel-tobacco.

Hardly ever has a "tropical" Submariner dial survived in such condition since most of the colour changes go, regrettably, also hand in hand with considerable surface wear and abrasion.

To many Submariner collectors, this example is "the" reference 6538 to have.