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=== Reference:6549 ===
{{DISPLAYTITLE:Rolex Oyster Perpetual 6549}}
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|title=Rolex Oyster Perpetual 6549 — Dials, Cases and Movements | Rolexopedia
|description=Documented Rolex 6549 examples, with catalogue dates, dial descriptions, case materials, movement attributions and bracelet details.
|keywords=Rolex 6549, Oyster Perpetual 6549, Cal. 1130, Cal. 1161
|image=Ref_6549_hero.webp
|image_alt=Steel Rolex Oyster Perpetual 6549 with a black dial and riveted Oyster bracelet
|type=Article
|og_type=article
|robots=index,follow,max-image-preview:large
}}

<small>[[Reference:oyster-perpetual|Oyster Perpetual]] → '''6549'''</small>

<div class="rp-lead">
[[File:Ref_6549_hero.webp|thumb|center|640px|alt=Steel Rolex Oyster Perpetual 6549 with a black dial and riveted Oyster bracelet|[https://www.cambiaste.com/it/asta-0822/rolex---oyster-perpetual-270689 Cambi, 2023, lot 57].]]
</div>

The 6549 is a no-date automatic Oyster Perpetual. Auction catalogues describe steel, two-tone and pink-gold cases. [https://www.treasury.gov/auctions/treasury/gp/fy2024/10.23%20GP.pdf U.S. Treasury, lot 146]; [https://catalog.antiquorum.swiss/en/lots/rolex-lot-182-540 Antiquorum, lot 540]; [https://www.cambiaste.com/it/asta-0822/rolex---oyster-perpetual-270689 Cambi, lot 57]

==Core facts==

{| class="wikitable rp-facts"
|-
! detail
! documented examples
|-
| reference
| 6549
|-
| family
| Oyster Perpetual; automatic, central seconds, no date ([https://www.cambiaste.com/it/asta-0822/rolex---oyster-perpetual-270689 Cambi, lot 57]; [https://www.dorotheum.com/en/l/3901228/ Dorotheum, lot 7])
|-
| dated examples
| Auction catalogues date individual examples from circa 1953 to circa 1968; the full production span is unknown
|-
| case diameter
| 28–33 mm ([https://www.collectorsquare.com/en/watches/rolex/oyster-perpetual-chronometer/ref-rolex-6549/lpi Bonhams 2008, lot 231]; [https://catalog.antiquorum.swiss/en/lots/rolex-lot-182-540 Antiquorum, lot 540]); several listings give 30–31 mm
|-
| materials
| stainless steel; steel with yellow- or pink-gold accents; 14 ct or 18 ct pink gold ([https://www.treasury.gov/auctions/treasury/gp/fy2024/10.23%20GP.pdf U.S. Treasury]; [https://www.bobswatches.com/vintage-rolex-oyster-perpetual-reference-6549.html listing for serial 395XXX]; [https://catalog.antiquorum.swiss/en/lots/rolex-lot-182-540 Antiquorum]; [https://www.collectorssquare.com/en/watches/rolex/oyster-perpetual-chronometer/ref-rolex-6549/lpi Sotheby's 2014])
|-
| movements
| Cal. 1130 and 1161 in multiple catalogues; 1160/1160 B and 1180 in single catalogue records
|-
| dial records
| black gilt, silver or silvered, copper, cream 3-6-9, white Roman, grey, and a catalogue-described custom dial
|}

==Production outline==

Jacek's 2014 sale post gives serial 678XXX and a caseback date of II.61; the watch is described as 31 mm with a silver dial. Millon lists case 678588 as circa 1961, measuring 29 mm with a cream dial. The serials are close, but the two descriptions differ. [https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=346995 Jacek's Rolex Forums sale post]; [https://www.millon.com/catalogue/vente2486-horlogerie/catalog/view Millon, lot 69].

Cambi listed the same case 1.311.xxx watch twice: its 2022 catalogue dates it circa 1964, and its 2023 catalogue dates it circa 1966. Artcurial's 2025 catalogue identifies a grey-dial steel watch as ref. 6549; its report says the between-lug engravings had been erased. [https://www.cambiaste.com/uploads/auctions/868-cambi_orologi_795_2022_11_eb.pdf Cambi 2022, lot 163]; [https://www.cambiaste.com/it/asta-0822/rolex---oyster-perpetual-270689 Cambi 2023, lot 57]; [https://www.artcurial.com/ventes/IT6357/lots/97-a Artcurial, lot 97a].

==Movement notes==

Bonhams' 2008 lot 231, the Treasury's circa-1958 watch and Cambi's circa-1966 lot 57 list Cal. 1130. Dorotheum gives Cal. 1161 on a circa-1964 watch; Bonhams lists it on a circa-1966 example, and Sotheby's on a circa-1968 example. Experts Watches' caliber index also lists 6549 under Cal. 1161. [https://www.collectorsquare.com/en/watches/rolex/oyster-perpetual-chronometer/ref-rolex-6549/lpi Bonhams 2008 and 2019]; [https://www.treasury.gov/auctions/treasury/gp/fy2024/10.23%20GP.pdf U.S. Treasury]; [https://www.cambiaste.com/it/asta-0822/rolex---oyster-perpetual-270689 Cambi]; [https://www.dorotheum.com/en/l/3901228/ Dorotheum]; [https://www.collectorsquare.com/en/watches/rolex/oyster-perpetual-chronometer/ref-rolex-6549/lpi Sotheby's 2014]; [https://expertswatches.com/pages/rolex-automatic-movements-reference-guide Experts Watches].

Gros & Delettrez's 2011 catalogue text prints Cal. 1160; the archive metadata labels it 1160 B. Bonhams' circa-1953 pink-gold lot assigns Cal. 1180. The archived lot contains no movement photograph. [https://www.collectorsquare.com/en/watches/rolex/oyster-perpetual-chronometer/ref-rolex-6549/lpi Gros & Delettrez 2011, lot 157; Bonhams 2013, lot 226].

==Dial map==

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! example
! catalogue description
! record
|-
| Cambi, case 1.311.xxx
| Black gilt dial, stick markers, "T SWISS T" at six
| [https://www.cambiaste.com/it/asta-0822/rolex---oyster-perpetual-270689 Cambi, 2023, lot 57]
|-
| Dorotheum, circa 1964
| White dial with Roman numerals and luminous indices
| [https://www.dorotheum.com/en/l/3901228/ Dorotheum, lot 7]
|-
| Bonhams, 2008
| Copper dial with white markers
| [https://www.collectorsquare.com/en/watches/rolex/oyster-perpetual-chronometer/ref-rolex-6549/lpi Bonhams, lot 231]
|-
| case 1895473
| Cream 3-6-9 dial; the listing calls it an "Explorer dial"
| [https://shellman-online.jp/view/item/000000003760?category_page_id=127 Sale record, item D9737]
|-
| Jacek, serial 678XXX
| Silver dial with dauphine hands, as described in the sale post
| [https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=346995 Rolex Forums, 2014]
|-
| Antiquorum, serial 677956
| Dial described as custom
| [https://www.collectorssquare.com/en/watches/rolex/oyster-perpetual-chronometer/ref-rolex-6549/lpi Antiquorum, 2016, lot 40]
|-
| Artcurial, lot 97a
| Grey "T SWISS MADE T" dial
| [https://www.artcurial.com/ventes/IT6357/lots/97-a Artcurial, lot 97a]
|}

[[File:Ref_6549_dial.webp|thumb|right|220px|[https://www.cambiaste.com/it/asta-0822/rolex---oyster-perpetual-270689 Cambi, 2023, lot 57]: black gilt dial and engine-turned bezel.|alt=Oblique view of the black gilt dial, engine-turned bezel and crown on a Rolex 6549]]

==Case, bezel, crystal, and crown notes==

The Treasury watch pairs a steel case with a 14 ct yellow-gold engine-turned bezel and a yellow-gold-tone crown. Cambi's photographs show an engine-turned bezel; Bonhams' 2008 lot calls its steel watch's bezel plain, and Artcurial describes a smooth bezel. Bonhams' 2013 catalogue calls its pink-gold example's bezel "Turnograph." The Treasury catalogue specifies an acrylic crystal on its circa-1958 watch. [https://www.cambiaste.com/it/asta-0822/rolex---oyster-perpetual-270689 Cambi]; [https://www.collectorsquare.com/en/watches/rolex/oyster-perpetual-chronometer/ref-rolex-6549/lpi Bonhams 2008 and 2013]; [https://www.artcurial.com/ventes/IT6357/lots/97-a Artcurial]; [https://www.treasury.gov/auctions/treasury/gp/fy2024/10.23%20GP.pdf U.S. Treasury].

==Bracelets and clasp stamps==

Jacek's 2014 post reports end pieces marked 51 and a bracelet stamped 2-62. The U.S. Treasury catalogue lists bracelet 7835/17, end links 351 and clasp E; it dates that bracelet to circa 1967, about nine years after the watch. Shellman lists a bracelet dated 1970-II with end link 251 on its 1960s example. Bonhams describes a folded Oyster bracelet with clasp 1 71 on a watch dated circa 1966. [https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=346995 Jacek]; [https://www.treasury.gov/auctions/treasury/gp/fy2024/10.23%20GP.pdf U.S. Treasury]; [https://shellman-online.jp/view/item/000000003760?category_page_id=127 Sale record, item D9737]; [https://www.collectorssquare.com/en/watches/rolex/oyster-perpetual-chronometer/ref-rolex-6549/lpi Bonhams 2019].

Artcurial catalogs the watch as a 6549 and lists a 78350/17 bracelet, 551B end links and an R3 clasp. The 2-62, 1970-II and 1 71 markings date the listed bracelets.

[[File:Ref_6549_bracelet.webp|thumb|right|220px|[https://www.cambiaste.com/it/asta-0822/rolex---oyster-perpetual-270689 Cambi, 2023, lot 57]: riveted Oyster bracelet.|alt=Steel riveted Oyster bracelet on the Rolex 6549]]

==Historical market and auction record==

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! sale date
! catalogue record
! details and result
|-
| 15 December 1989
| [https://catalog.antiquorum.swiss/en/lots/rolex-lot-182-540 Antiquorum, lot 540]
| 1950s, 33 mm, 18 ct pink gold; catalogue gives Cal. 1130.
|-
| 21 May 2013
| [https://www.collectorssquare.com/en/watches/rolex/oyster-perpetual-chronometer/ref-rolex-6549/lpi Bonhams, lot 226]
| Circa-1953, 30 mm pink gold; case 147***; catalogue gives Cal. 1180; sold for GBP 1,625.
|-
| 27 March 2014
| [https://www.dorotheum.com/en/l/3901228/ Dorotheum, lot 7]
| Circa-1964, about 31 mm steel; Cal. 1161; white Roman dial.
|-
| 27 November 2014
| [https://www.collectorssquare.com/en/watches/rolex/oyster-perpetual-chronometer/ref-rolex-6549/lpi Sotheby's, lot 680]
| Circa-1968, 14 ct pink gold; Cal. 1161; sold for HKD 110,000 as part of a two-watch lot with a ref. 6018 Bubbleback.
|-
| 19 September 2019
| [https://www.collectorssquare.com/en/watches/rolex/oyster-perpetual-chronometer/ref-rolex-6549/lpi Bonhams, lot 89]
| Circa-1966, 30 mm steel; Cal. 1161; silvered dial and folded Oyster bracelet.
|-
| 6–21 April 2023
| [https://www.cambiaste.com/it/asta-0822/rolex---oyster-perpetual-270689 Cambi, lot 57]
| Circa-1966, 30 mm steel; black gilt dial; Cal. 1130; unsold.
|-
| 23 October 2024
| [https://www.treasury.gov/auctions/treasury/gp/fy2024/10.23%20GP.pdf U.S. Treasury, lot 146]
| Serial 394979, circa 1958; 31 mm steel and 14 ct yellow gold; Cal. 1130; later bracelet.
|-
| 2025
| [https://www.artcurial.com/ventes/IT6357/lots/97-a Artcurial, lot 97a]
| 30 mm steel; Cal. 1161; grey dial; sold for EUR 1,986.
|}

==Gallery==

<gallery mode="packed" heights="180">
File:Ref_6549_hero.webp|[https://www.cambiaste.com/it/asta-0822/rolex---oyster-perpetual-270689 Cambi, 2023, lot 57]: circa-1966 steel example.
File:Ref_6549_dial.webp|[https://www.cambiaste.com/it/asta-0822/rolex---oyster-perpetual-270689 Cambi, 2023, lot 57]: dial, bezel and crown.
File:Ref_6549_bracelet.webp|[https://www.cambiaste.com/it/asta-0822/rolex---oyster-perpetual-270689 Cambi, 2023, lot 57]: case and riveted Oyster bracelet.
</gallery>

== Sources ==

* [https://catalog.antiquorum.swiss/en/lots/rolex-lot-182-540 "Antiquorum, Important Watches, Tokyo, 15 December 1989, lot 540 — Rolex Oyster Perpetual ref. 6549", Antiquorum, 1989-12-15]
* [https://www.collectorsquare.com/en/watches/rolex/oyster-perpetual-chronometer/ref-rolex-6549/lpi "Antiquorum, Important Modern & Vintage Timepieces, Geneva, 13 November 2016, lot 40 — ref. 6549", Antiquorum, 2016-11-13]
* [https://www.artcurial.com/ventes/IT6357/lots/97-a "Artcurial, Horological Timepieces Online, lot 97a — catalogued ref. 6549", Artcurial, 2025-10-28]
* [https://www.bobswatches.com/vintage-rolex-oyster-perpetual-reference-6549.html "Bob's Watches, vintage Rolex Oyster Perpetual ref. 6549, SKU 193347", Bob's Watches]
* [https://www.collectorsquare.com/en/watches/rolex/oyster-perpetual-chronometer/ref-rolex-6549/lpi "Bonhams, Clocks, Watches & Barometers, 16 September 2008, lot 231 — ref. 6549", Bonhams, 2008-09-16]
* [https://www.collectorsquare.com/en/watches/rolex/oyster-perpetual-chronometer/ref-rolex-6549/lpi "Bonhams, Watches & Wristwatches, 21 May 2013, lot 226 — ref. 6549", Bonhams, 2013-05-21]
* [https://www.collectorsquare.com/en/watches/rolex/oyster-perpetual-chronometer/ref-rolex-6549/lpi "Bonhams, Watches and Wristwatches, 19 September 2019, lot 89 — ref. 6549", Bonhams, 2019-09-19]
* [https://www.cambiaste.com/uploads/auctions/868-cambi_orologi_795_2022_11_eb.pdf "Cambi, Orologi, lot 163 — Rolex Oyster Perpetual ref. 6549", Cambi Casa d’Aste, 2022]
* [https://www.cambiaste.com/it/asta-0822/rolex---oyster-perpetual-270689 "Cambi, Watches, lot 57 — Rolex Oyster Perpetual ref. 6549", Cambi Casa d’Aste, 2023-04-21]
* [https://www.dorotheum.com/en/l/3901228/ "Dorotheum, Jewellery, 27 March 2014, lot 7 — Rolex Oyster Perpetual ref. 6549", Dorotheum, 2014-03-27]
* [https://expertswatches.com/pages/rolex-automatic-movements-reference-guide "Experts Watches, Rolex automatic movement reference guide", Experts Watches]
* [https://www.collectorsquare.com/en/watches/rolex/oyster-perpetual-chronometer/ref-rolex-6549/lpi "Gros & Delettrez, Montres de collection, 21 December 2011, lot 157 — ref. 6549", Gros & Delettrez, 2011-12-21]
* [https://www.millon.com/catalogue/vente2486-horlogerie/catalog/view "Millon, Horlogerie, 20 June 2023, lot 69 — Rolex Oyster Perpetual ref. 6549", Millon, 2023-06-20]
* [https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=346995 "Rolex Forums, Jacek, 1961 Rolex Oyster Perpetual ref. 6549 sale post", Rolex Forums, 2014-04-13]
* [https://shellman-online.jp/view/item/000000003760?category_page_id=127 "Shellman, Rolex ref. 6549 Explorer-dial Oyster Perpetual, item D9737", Shellman]
* [https://www.collectorsquare.com/en/watches/rolex/oyster-perpetual-chronometer/ref-rolex-6549/lpi "Sotheby's, Hong Kong, 27 November 2014, lot 680 — paired gold watches including ref. 6549", Sotheby's, 2014-11-27]
* [https://www.treasury.gov/auctions/treasury/gp/fy2024/10.23%20GP.pdf "U.S. Treasury, Nationwide GP Auction, 23 October 2024, lot 146 — ref. 6549", U.S. Treasury, 2024-10-23]

[[Category:Oyster-Perpetual]]

--- 13632 chars, 3 images ---
[hero] Ref_6549_hero.webp <- /Users/pawelb/workspace/rolexopedia/deliverables/references/6549/images/public/Ref 6549 hero.webp
[dial-detail] Ref_6549_dial.webp <- /Users/pawelb/workspace/rolexopedia/deliverables/references/6549/images/public/Ref 6549 dial.webp
[bracelet-detail] Ref_6549_bracelet.webp <- /Users/pawelb/workspace/rolexopedia/deliverables/references/6549/images/public/Ref 6549 bracelet.webp

Reference:6549 - Revision history

Admin: Source and prose audit: tighten claims to direct catalogue records

Admin: Create researched reference article with sourced images