Debuting in 1953 and released to the public the following year, the Rolex Submariner has undoubtedly become one of the most iconic timepieces of all time thanks to its legendary status as Rolex's flagship dive watch. Used extensively by the British Royal Navy and professional diving operations like COMEX, the Submariner set the bar for all dive watches to follow. Featuring a genuinely timeless design that has remained relatively unchanged throughout its history, this Rolex has become the archetypal sports watch. With very few large-scale aesthetic upgrades made to it over the years except for timely advancements like introducing a date function to the collection in the late '60s, and its modern cerachrom bezels, the Submariner is seen as the prototypical dive watch thanks to its consistency. The Submariner has earned its status as a legendary watch, with it today remaining as one of the most sought-after timepieces around.

Offered as one of the original Submariner references, the watch that we have here is the revered ‘Small Crown’ ref. 6536-1. Launched in 1956 and produced for a short handful of years until 1959, the ref. 6536 is immediately distinguishable due to its eponymous small crown and lack of crown guards. A truly exceptional example of the Submariner’s origins, the ref. 6536-1 shows us where the Submariner began with its construction, overarching design and functionality all being terrifically close to its modern counter-parts. While this example’s dial, hands, and bezel insert have been replaced with service parts from Rolex, they still retain some attractive signs of aging that we have come to seek in vintage Rolex models, such as the attractive creamy patina that has developed on its hands, hour markers and bezel luminous pip at 12 o’clock that allow this watch to retain its attractive vintage look and feel.