• cal. A260 automatic nickel lever movement, mono-metallic compensation balance • aged black dial, luminescent triangle, dot and baton indexes, gilt minutes tracking and printing, gilt 'pencil' hands, sweep center seconds • tonneau water-resistant-type case, rotating black bezel calibrated for 60 units, screw-down crown and screw back • case, dial and movement signed

The movement is running, however it may require service soon. The dial has faded to a lovely speckled gray tone and the luminescence to the hands and indexes has faded throughout. The gilt printing appears to be original. The original fluting to the lugs appears to be mostly intact. There is some loss to the black paint on the bezel. There are scuffs throughout and some dings to the band. The numbers between the lugs are 6204 and 988723 (although this set of numbers is partially obscured.) The inside of the case back is numbered 6204.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. All dimensions in catalogue descriptions are approximate. Condition reports may not specify mechanical replacements or imperfections to the movement, case, dial, pendulum, separate base(s) or dome. Watches in water-resistant cases have been opened to examine movements but no warranties are made that the watches are currently water-resistant. Please note that we do not guarantee the authenticity of any individual component parts, such as wheels, hands, crowns, crystals, screws, bracelets and leather bands, since subsequent repairs and restoration work may have resulted in the replacement of original parts. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue. In particular, please note it is the purchaser's responsibility to comply with any applicable import and export matters, particularly in relation to lots incorporating materials from endangered species.NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

**Please be advised that bands made of materials derived from endangered or otherwise protected species (i.e. alligator and crocodile) are not sold with the watches and are for display purposes only. We reserve the right to remove these bands prior to shipping.

Important Notice regarding importation into the United States of Rolex watches
Sotheby's cannot arrange for the delivery of Rolex watches to the United States because U.S. laws restricts the import of Rolex watches. The buyer or a designated agent may collect the property in the country of sale."

This model, Ref. 6204, was released at the Basel Fair in 1954, although it had been in production from late 1953. This was the first watch to have the Submariner name p🌟rinted on the dial; there was no depth rating ๊on it.

This considered the first of the so-called 'Small Crown James Bond' models, however the crown on this model, as well as its cousin, Ref. 6205, is actually one millimeter smaller t📖han other 'small crown' models, measuring five millimeters rathe🔴r than six millimeters.

This is one of the most unusual of all Submariner 🦩models, and certainly one of the rarest of the 'small crown' versions.

It is important to note the original 'pencil' hands on the present lot, whꦿere the hℱour hand is not the traditional Mercedes-style that would be found on other Submariner models of the time. In addition, the seconds hand has a luminescent dot pushed to the end rather than mid-way along.

The present example was made in the first year of the reference's produꦚction, 1953. The fact that the original hands, dial, bezel and crown have all been retained over the years makes this example especially rare and collectible. 

A similar example of this model is illustrated in Skeet, M. & Urul, N., Vintage Rolex Sports Models, p. 27.