THE ESSENTIALS

MAKE: ROLEX
MODEL: 6536-1
YEAR: 1956
BOX/PAPERS: NO/NO
CASE DIAMETER: 37mm
CASE MATERIAL: STAINLESS STEEL
BRACELET MATERIAL: STAINLESS STEEL
MOVEMENT: AUTOMATIC

In vintage Rolex collecting, early no crown-guard Submariners are undoubtedly among the most celebrated and studied. They embody everything we love about vintage Rolex—historically important, beautifully made, and packed with a thousand tiny nuances between variations to obsess over.

The ref. 6536-1 came shortly after the first Submariners (6204, 6205, etc.). Technically, the 6536 began life in 1954 as a transitional reference: the 6536/8. From there, over a slender four-year production period, Rolex produced around eight different variations—packing in a remarkable number of changes. All-original, correct examples are extremely hard to come by, which is one of the reasons the 6536-1 remains among the most collectible Submariners today.

This example is the fourth iteration, with gold depth rating 100m=330ft. This watch comes with its original dial, which still demonstrates a strong Geiger reading. The lacquer has gassed out, as expected, but the text remains in very good condition. The dial shows a gorgeous tropical colour. The original gilt hands with radium lume show signs of oxidisation, which is typical for a watch of this age. The "hooked 5" insert hails from the late ’60s and, apart from the bracelet, is the only non-original component. The bracelet itself is a 7206 fixed rivet with 75 end links and a clasp stamped 1/65. The case is in superb condition—polished in the past, but still extremely full.

The movement has just been serviced and is running at approximately +9 seconds per day with 225 amplitude.

These small- and big-crown references are becoming increasingly difficult to find, with completely original examples now regularly achieving six-figure prices.