Reference:6204: Difference between revisions

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The 6204 is the starting point of the early Submariner family. It runs alongside the big-crown 6200 and is directly succeeded by the 6205. All three share the earliest no-crown-guard Submariner case world, but the 6204 is the small-crown, lower-rated fork that establishes the core identity.

A 100m depth rating is half that of the contemporary 6200~~, reflecting~~ the ~~different~~ crown and case ~~specifications~~. The small crown and slimmer case profile become the template for the 6205 and eventually the 5508, while the big-crown path runs separately through the 6200, 6538, and 5510.

The 100m depth rating is half that of the contemporary 6200 — a direct consequence of the smaller crown and slimmer case. The small crown and slimmer case profile become the template for the 6205 and eventually the 5508, while the big-crown path runs separately through the 6200, 6538, and 5510.

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[[File:Ref 6204 endlink-65-stamp.webp|thumb|right|220px|End link with "65" stamp — original fitment marker]]

Original bracelet was a spring-loaded Swiss rivet type manufactured by Gay Freres. The 20mm fixed end links are typically marked "65" or "64," and the clasp carries a stamped quality control date code. Gay Freres was a ~~world-renowned~~ bracelet maker later acquired by Rolex in 2001.

Original bracelet was a spring-loaded Swiss rivet type manufactured by Gay Freres. The 20mm fixed end links are typically marked "65" or "64," and the clasp carries a stamped quality control date code. Gay Freres was a respected Swiss bracelet maker later acquired by Rolex in 2001.

Known bracelet fitments for the 6204:

Known bracelet fitments for the 6204 are the 6636/64 stretch rivet bracelet and the 7206/80 rivet bracelet.

* 6636/64: stretch rivet bracelet

Sotheby's 2025 Lot 433 includes box and guarantee, making it one of the very few 6204 examples with documented original packaging. Menta’s archive example shows a bracelet dated 1954 with 65 end links, which adds useful period evidence even if it does not settle the original-delivery question for all examples.

* 7206/80: rivet bracelet

~~Sotheby’s~~ 2025 Lot 433 includes box and guarantee, making it one of the very few 6204 examples with documented original packaging. Menta’s archive example shows a bracelet dated 1954 with 65 end links, which adds useful period evidence even if it does not settle the original-delivery question for all examples.

@@ Line 55: / Line 55: @@
 The 6204 is the starting point of the early Submariner family. It runs alongside the big-crown 6200 and is directly succeeded by the 6205. All three share the earliest no-crown-guard Submariner case world, but the 6204 is the small-crown, lower-rated fork that establishes the core identity.
-A 100m depth rating is half that of the contemporary 6200, reflecting the different crown and case specifications. The small crown and slimmer case profile become the template for the 6205 and eventually the 5508, while the big-crown path runs separately through the 6200, 6538, and 5510.
+The 100m depth rating is half that of the contemporary 6200 — a direct consequence of the smaller crown and slimmer case. The small crown and slimmer case profile become the template for the 6205 and eventually the 5508, while the big-crown path runs separately through the 6200, 6538, and 5510.
 <span id="production-outline"></span>
@@ Line 110: / Line 110: @@
 [[File:Ref 6204 endlink-65-stamp.webp|thumb|right|220px|End link with "65" stamp — original fitment marker]]
-Original bracelet was a spring-loaded Swiss rivet type manufactured by Gay Freres. The 20mm fixed end links are typically marked "65" or "64," and the clasp carries a stamped quality control date code. Gay Freres was a world-renowned bracelet maker later acquired by Rolex in 2001.
+Original bracelet was a spring-loaded Swiss rivet type manufactured by Gay Freres. The 20mm fixed end links are typically marked "65" or "64," and the clasp carries a stamped quality control date code. Gay Freres was a respected Swiss bracelet maker later acquired by Rolex in 2001.
-Known bracelet fitments for the 6204:
+Known bracelet fitments for the 6204 are the 6636/64 stretch rivet bracelet and the 7206/80 rivet bracelet.
-* 6636/64: stretch rivet bracelet
+Sotheby's 2025 Lot 433 includes box and guarantee, making it one of the very few 6204 examples with documented original packaging. Menta’s archive example shows a bracelet dated 1954 with 65 end links, which adds useful period evidence even if it does not settle the original-delivery question for all examples.
-* 7206/80: rivet bracelet
-Sotheby’s 2025 Lot 433 includes box and guarantee, making it one of the very few 6204 examples with documented original packaging. Menta’s archive example shows a bracelet dated 1954 with 65 end links, which adds useful period evidence even if it does not settle the original-delivery question for all examples.
 <span id="special-branches"></span>