• cal. 1030 automatic nickel lever movement, 25 jewels, mono-metallic compensation balance, adjusted to five positions and temperature • black dial, luminescent triangle, dot and baton indexes, luminescent Mercedes-style hands, sweep center seconds, gilt tracking and printing, underpainted depth and chronometer rating • tonneau water-resistant-type case with rotating black bezel calibrated for 60 units, large screw-down crown and screw-down case back • case, dial and movement signed

The movement is running however we recommend service soon. It is numbered 571586. The dial is generally nice looking and all the gilt printing appears to be original. The gloss finish to the dial has aged nicely. Portions of the dark finish to the luminescent paint to the hands and indexes have come off, but are still visible at 7 o'clock. The luminescent paint appears to be original. The ghost signature is very nice looking and very unusual. The case shows general wear and surface scuffs. The numbers between the lugs are obscured and partially rubbed off, however they appear to read 723106 and 6538. The number inside the back is 6538 and IV.1958. Overall this is in nice condition.
"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."

The present lot belongs to the second generation of this model, Ref. 6538, which was released in the late 1950s. It is sometimes❀ referred to as a 'four line', which is distinguished by the four lines of printing on the lower half of the dial, '200m=660ft/Submariner/Officially Certified/Chronometer'. Standard examples of these versions command a premium in today's market.

The present lot featu꧂res a especially unusual variation to the four-line format. It has the word 'Submariner' in gilt printing to match the gilt outer tracking and signature lines, meanwhile the other three lines, which are frequently printed in white, appear black here and are only visible in r🌄aking light or under a loupe.

This so-called 'ghost dial' is especially unusual and complicated to describe. At a minimum it suggests that the process of dial printing for Rolex and their con🧸tractors was 🐽much more extensive than originally thought.

It seems that the 'ghost' printing rests on a layer above the black background, but below the glossy finish and gilt printing of the visible signatures. Rather than being merely printed, the lettering seems to be etched into the surface. This suggests that the white printing that is normally on top would sit in a shallow&n൲bsp;groove. This is the same process by which dials with enamel printing are made.

This also suggests that there are at least three andও possibly four or five different steps or layers to the creation of Rolex dials from this era.

Most likely, this dial was fully printed up to the final step of the process, which would have been the application of the white lettering for depth rating and 'O.C.C', but never went to&꧋nbsp;that final stage. There is no evidence that the printing was ever applied and no evidence that it was wiped off, as there are no remnants of white ink. It is rare to see a dial that passed through quality control without being entirely complete, but ♐it is especially interesting and aesthetically appealing nonetheless.