1954 Rolex Submarine

[Bags]

Recently received this Rolex from a family member, from what I've researched its a 1954 Submarine and the model number is 6205. I was told that the strap isn't the original. I've added a few images to show, anyone know what something of this age and condition goes for? thank you.

[alwayshere]

wow the number of "recently inherited watch..." thread recently is pretty amazing.....

those pics look encouraging but will let the experts chime in.

any chance you could get a good shot of the dial and shots of the engravings on both sides (when you remove the bracelet)

[Filipão]

Submariner is the name and the strap is a bracelet.

Welcome!

[zapokee]

The forum rules don't allow valuations, but I hear there's some sort of a search engine you can access on that Internet thing... Rolex Submariner 6205 are your key words.

[CTech]

There's no way of telling what this is from the photos and it appears to have a number of features from different models e.g. the bezel insert, the white second hand, the later bracelet, the later winding crown, etc.

It doesn't look likely to me that this is a model 6205, although the dial has some similarities to one fitted to that model.

As alwayshere suggested, the first step is to take the bracelet off and take good clear photos of the engravings between the lugs.

Next, get a watchmaker to remove the case back and take photos of both sides of the case back and the movement.

[Dan S]

As suggested above, it's a bit hard to take the thread at face value. However, giving the OP the benefit of the doubt, that's a great find. Take your time and do a little research using the correct model name and reference number. Previous auction sales would be a good starting point to get a rough range of values.

[Rebel]

wow

[Bags]

Originally Posted by alwayshere

wow the number of "recently inherited watch..." thread recently is pretty amazing.....

those pics look encouraging but will let the experts chime in.

any chance you could get a good shot of the dial and shots of the engravings on both sides (when you remove the bracelet)

Thank you I will definitely get some pictures when I take it in , wouldn't want to fiddle and damage it.

[Bags]

Originally Posted by CTech

There's no way of telling what this is from the photos and it appears to have a number of features from different models e.g. the bezel insert, the white second hand, the later bracelet, the later winding crown, etc.

It doesn't look likely to me that this is a model 6205, although the dial has some similarities to one fitted to that model.

As alwayshere suggested, the first step is to take the bracelet off and take good clear photos of the engravings between the lugs.

Next, get a watchmaker to remove the case back and take photos of both sides of the case back and the movement.

Thank you for the information. Will definitely take it in and do more research on the watch.

[Bags]

Originally Posted by Dan S

As suggested above, it's a bit hard to take the thread at face value. However, giving the OP the benefit of the doubt, that's a great find. Take your time and do a little research using the correct model name and reference number. Previous auction sales would be a good starting point to get a rough range of values.

Thank you, I will take a look at his page on IG and do more research.

[Mark020]

Some guys have all the luck. Valuable piece...

[dhknola]

Very valuable piece. Incredible!

[TuRo]

Look forward to seeing engravings and so we can pin the piece down for you. In addition to other comments, 6205 didn't usually come with Mercedes hands but instead defacto pencil hands.

[harry in montreal]

Please post a few more photos. This is a very nice watch and has substantial value. Keep it somewhere safe

[alwayshere]

any updates on this OP? feels like something you would want to get to the bottom of?

[Singhalager]

yes it would be nice for a conclusion here

[subx]

guess he got a side offer ? (not me)

[Bags]

Some more pics.

[Bags]

apologies for the late reply but I've added more pics.

[Styles Bitchley]

Wow.

[dhknola]

Your inbox is about to be STUFFED; contact an auction house if you sell like Phillips (Aurel Bacs); this is a stupendous historical artifact that tells time.

[Dan S]

Nice honest piece, with expected condition issues after a long life, but still very appealing IMO.

[TuRo]

Thanks. It's bang in the middle of the strict 6205 two year 54/55 serial range which is good.
The 6205 originally came with pencil and lollipop second hand with the O on the very end of second hand btw. The insert is a later hashed version.
There's a few about - compared to 6204 which is 1953 only- but they are rare. Nice piece. Like the plexi especially.

[TuRo]

Originally Posted by dhknola

Your inbox is about to be STUFFED; contact an auction house if you sell like Phillips (Aurel Bacs); this is a stupendous historical artifact that tells time.

Having had some dealings with auction houses, I don't think that it would be the best channel for a watch of this condition, as the watch has service insert, hands, crown and as such I suspect it wouldn't garner the frenzy you need (from the self-regarding peacock-collectors who must have 'the best' that you find lurking there quite often) to cover the listing fees and 20% commissions and I suspect you'd net less than say selling it on here on C24 or EB. Just my 10 cents and it's a general response to selling in auction houses.

[fmc000]

I wonder if any experts here can comment about the crown.

[TuRo]

Service. Original would have had +
Not vouching for its legitimacy per se, but like the one here for £1500.00 - jeez £££ !! *Ps not purporting to be expert or even close.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/312655274...mis&media=COPY

[1675-David]

Originally Posted by pauldavidthorpe

*Ps not purporting to be expert or even close.

Paul, way too humble! Since your return in January you have consistently shown a depth of knowledge that firmly puts you in the Vintage Rolex Expert Brigade. I can agree with most members here when they begin a post with “I’m not an expert but…” but not in your case

[Dan S]

Originally Posted by pauldavidthorpe

Service. Original would have had +
Not vouching for its legitimacy per se, but like the one here for £1500.00 - jeez £££ !! *Ps not purporting to be expert or even close.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/312655274...mis&media=COPY

That's a crazy price, I see these selling for $200-$300 regularly.

[TuRo]

Yes Dan agreed...mind you, you paid $300 for a sub bezel pip/pearl I noted recently...which I had to have a little sit down after seeing, such was my dismay.

Most I've ever paid for a bezel insert is £300 .... for a 5508 silver triangle one about twenty years ago - Yes I know.....I'm sooooo out of touch on insert and hands prices these days :-)

[Dan S]

Originally Posted by pauldavidthorpe

Yes Dan agreed...mind you, you paid $300 for a sub bezel pip/pearl I noted recently...which I had to have a little sit down after seeing, such was my dismay.

Most I've ever paid for a bezel insert is £300 .... for a 5508 silver triangle one about twenty years ago - Yes I know.....I'm sooooo out of touch on insert and hands prices these days :-)

No question that the prices of legit exterior parts have gone crazy in recent years, but maybe not too surprising given the overall price increases and emphasis on watches with correct parts. At this point, if I see a decent part (crown, crystal, pearl, etc.) that I might need someday, I just buy it, even if the price seems a little high.

Inserts are a special case, as you probably know, some people have massive collection of them. And to be fair, they are actually highly visible and can greatly impact the appearance of a vintage watch, unlike crowns where only pedants like us care about + vs -. I was happy that my watchmaker had one of the Brevet + crowns to help restore a watch for me recently, so I didn't need to scrounge around for it.