Reference:6538: Difference between revisions
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<span id="core-facts"></span> | <span id="core-facts"></span> | ||
== Core facts == | == Core facts == | ||
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[[File:Ref 6538 dial-detail.jpg|thumb|right|220px|alt=6538 dial close-up|6538 dial close-up]] | [[File:Ref 6538 dial-detail.jpg|thumb|right|220px|alt=6538 dial close-up|6538 dial close-up]] | ||
<span id="two-line-gilt"></span> | <span id="two-line-gilt"></span> | ||
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=== Four-line gilt chronometer (OCC) === | === Four-line gilt chronometer (OCC) === | ||
[[File:Ref 6538 four-line-chronometer.jpg|thumb|right|220px|alt=Four Line Chronometer|Four Line Chronometer]] | |||
The four-line dial adds two further lines of "Superlative Chronometer Officially Certified" text. Phillips New York 2018 lot 77 (NY080118/77) is the canonical four-line auction record — a 1957 example with full set including a chronometer certificate dated 12 August 1957. The Sotheby's tropical four-line lot, circa 1958 (already-cited), anchors the variant in the auction record. Blackbird places four-line dials predominantly in the second series (case range ~158,100–158,400), US market. | The four-line dial adds two further lines of "Superlative Chronometer Officially Certified" text. Phillips New York 2018 lot 77 (NY080118/77) is the canonical four-line auction record — a 1957 example with full set including a chronometer certificate dated 12 August 1957. The Sotheby's tropical four-line lot, circa 1958 (already-cited), anchors the variant in the auction record. Blackbird places four-line dials predominantly in the second series (case range ~158,100–158,400), US market. | ||
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=== Red depth text === | === Red depth text === | ||
Some 6538 dials carry the depth rating in red rather than gilt or white. Phillips (Logan Baker, 2019) has sold both MK I and MK II Red Sub lots at its Geneva sales. The most famous red-depth 6538 in the public record is the Christie's June 2018 example (see auction record below): an Explorer dial with red meters-first "200/660" depth rating | Some 6538 dials carry the depth rating in red rather than gilt or white. Phillips (Logan Baker, 2019) has sold both MK I and MK II Red Sub lots at its Geneva sales. The most famous red-depth 6538 in the public record is the Christie's June 2018 example (see auction record below): an Explorer dial with red meters-first "200/660" depth rating. | ||
<span id="explorer-dial-6538"></span> | <span id="explorer-dial-6538"></span> | ||
=== Explorer dial === | === Explorer dial === | ||
<gallery mode="packed" heights="180"> | |||
File:Ref 6538 explorer-369.jpg|alt=Explorer 369|Explorer 369 | |||
File:Ref 6538 explorer-dial.jpg|alt=Explorer Dial|Explorer Dial | |||
</gallery> | |||
Explorer-dial 6538 examples carry the 3-6-9 numeral layout (numerals at three, six, and nine o'clock in place of the usual baton markers) most associated with the 6200. The prevailing reading among collectors and auction catalogs is that Rolex used Explorer dials as substitutes when supplies of the standard Submariner dial ran short during early production. Of the fifteen Explorer-dial Submariners Phillips has sold across all references (6200, 6538, 5510, 5512, 5513), only a handful are 6538s. The Christie's June 2018 record-setter combines an Explorer dial with red meters-first depth text — the configuration Hodinkee's Pulvirent called "a perfect storm Submariner." | Explorer-dial 6538 examples carry the 3-6-9 numeral layout (numerals at three, six, and nine o'clock in place of the usual baton markers) most associated with the 6200. The prevailing reading among collectors and auction catalogs is that Rolex used Explorer dials as substitutes when supplies of the standard Submariner dial ran short during early production. Of the fifteen Explorer-dial Submariners Phillips has sold across all references (6200, 6538, 5510, 5512, 5513), only a handful are 6538s. The Christie's June 2018 record-setter combines an Explorer dial with red meters-first depth text — the configuration Hodinkee's Pulvirent called "a perfect storm Submariner." | ||
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The Christie's June 2018 USD 1,068,500 result for the Explorer-dial red-depth 6538 is the public record price ceiling and shows dial rarity plus original-owner provenance rather than any direct Bond link. The Phillips USD 567,000 four-line is the canonical four-line OCC benchmark. Tropical four-line examples in clean condition trade at the upper-middle of the market alongside Bond-era two-line gilts in original condition. The 6538 holds its market position across both dial configurations — condition, dial character, and presence of original components drive the spread far more than sub-variant rarity does. | The Christie's June 2018 USD 1,068,500 result for the Explorer-dial red-depth 6538 is the public record price ceiling and shows dial rarity plus original-owner provenance rather than any direct Bond link. The Phillips USD 567,000 four-line is the canonical four-line OCC benchmark. Tropical four-line examples in clean condition trade at the upper-middle of the market alongside Bond-era two-line gilts in original condition. The 6538 holds its market position across both dial configurations — condition, dial character, and presence of original components drive the spread far more than sub-variant rarity does. | ||
== Related references == | == Related references == | ||