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Old 6 April 2015, 04:11 AM   #1
Storky
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6538 Sub 'Big Crown'- Info please?

Hi experts!
I have a 6538 which I adore, I know it has later hands and bezel insert. Case back engraved inside III.57 and to my surprise came with the original guarantee certificate (signed Aug 1958) .... that was tucked away in an old repair envelope with some papers and the provenance that it came with!
I have always been a little confused about the dial.... I was always told it had been re-lumed. The lume is a slight green colour and this is represented quite well in the first 3 photos. It is flaking a little and there are a few specks of it on the dial.
I've never checked if it is luminous, but just did and it is luminous in a pitch black room so you could just make out the plots and see the shape of the tirangle at 12 o'clock.
I've been looking at information and read this with interest about the Rolex recall of highly radioactive dials. (I'm not registered on the forum with this post and if I'm out of order posting this link feel free to slap my wrists)
http://www.network54.com/Forum/20759...rvice+dial...-

It would be great to have more information about this watch and the dial and I'm hoping someone here would be kind enough to share this with me!
There's reams of info out there about Red Subs - of which I have absorbed and put to good use over the last few years, but not reams of detailed information about these 1950's models!
Thanks in advance.
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Old 6 April 2015, 04:34 AM   #2
jedly1
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yours appears to be exactly what you have been told it is, a nice original dial that has deteriorated with age a bit and has been lightly relumed, as would have been quite common if an owner took it in for service during its life.
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Old 6 April 2015, 04:40 AM   #3
Storky
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jedly1 View Post
yours appears to be exactly what you have been told it is, a nice original dial that has deteriorated with age a bit and has been lightly relumed, as would have been quite common if an owner took it in for service during its life.
That was quick! Thanks for the reply, and I know you're one of the guys to know.

The original owner spent decent money on it years ago with a specialist in Switzerland, I had the receipt translated and there was no mention of the dial so perhaps it was done previously. At least I ain't going to die of radiation ... I was little excited about buying a geiger counter though!

It has completely the wrong bracelet, I've found a reference for the 6536 which reads 7205 with 58 end pieces.... reckon it's the same for the 6538?

Thanks again my friend.
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Old 6 April 2015, 04:58 AM   #4
jedly1
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Storky View Post
That was quick! Thanks for the reply, and I know you're one of the guys to know.

The original owner spent decent money on it years ago with a specialist in Switzerland, I had it translated and there was no mention of the dial so perhaps it was done previously. At least I ain't going to die of radiation ... I was little excited about buying a geiger counter though!

It has completely the wrong bracelet, I've found a reference for the 6536 which reads 7205 with 58 end pieces.... reckon it's the same for the 6538?

Thanks again my friend.
tbh it looks more like they havve gone over the top of the existing lume so the rad lume is probably still on there, but i really wouldn't worry, by 57/8 it was at a much lower level, unless you are going to peel it off and eat it !!!

no a 7205 is a 19mm bracelet ....should be a 7206.
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Old 6 April 2015, 05:39 AM   #5
Storky
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jedly1 View Post
tbh it looks more like they havve gone over the top of the existing lume so the rad lume is probably still on there, but i really wouldn't worry, by 57/8 it was at a much lower level, unless you are going to peel it off and eat it !!!

no a 7205 is a 19mm bracelet ....should be a 7206.
Ha.. had chocolate today, radium tomorrow!

Re: the bracelet - glad I haven't tried to find one, it's listed on an old chart I have. I think it's a misprint, the one for the 5508 and 5513 is 7205 (6536 is 7206)
...I'm learning more everyday!
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