Thorough review Rolex Submariner 6205

Thorough review Rolex Submariner 6205

Thorough review Rolex Submariner 6205

Some collectors imagine 5510 & 6538 big crowns, I believe the  6205 is a much more important watch. Think I'm crazy? Possibly. Produce an opportunity to explain.

First a little bit of history.

Rolex didn't know at that time however in 1954 if this introduced the very first submariner the 6204 to everyone in the Basel fair it might produce a legend.

Thorough review Rolex Submariner 6205

Today whenever you discuss Rolex as well as their DNA - it's obvious that many people are talking about the submariner line. Possibly it's the simple dial layout or even the magic of gilt dials (for additional info on how gilt dials are created see report here).

Probably the most legendary and collectable of submariners continues to be the big crown 6200,* among the first submariners introduced- and in 1954. They're not only rare in number however their large and thicker situation and large brevet crown (8mm) are what collectors imagine.

As the 6200 is ‘the submariner’ to possess a pleasant example today is going to be $500′ooo which is extensively recorded, (for any decent set of the 6200 please visit here) significantly less is famous about another legendary reference, also introduced in 1954- the 6205. Some experts agree the 6204 was the very first submariner introduced it's not so obvious which came after, the 6205 or 6200. It really is dependent on small detail only as the 3 references (6200, 6204 & 6205) were introduced in 1954. What's known would be that the 6205 is an extremely rare reference.

Made just for twelve months it's the second so known as ‘small crown’ submariner following the 6204. However there have been several changes. The 6205 was the very first submariner which may carry the DNA of subsequent models. Mercedes hands (early 6205 might have pencil hands). Gilt dial. Lume plots to mark the hrs.

Lets consider the facts using pictures.

Dial, hands & bezel

Thorough review Rolex Submariner 6205

The dial from the 6205 is really a marvel- because it is an earlier dial - still within the occasions of radium.

The timepiece provides a hint from the radium warning through the lighter marker at six o’clock. Rolex would do this again tradition along with other models such as the 6536-1 (see example here) and also the 5510 big crown.

There's a couple of similarities using its predecessor the 6204. To begin with have a gilt dial. Next both carry the term submariner without any depth rating. The very first depth rating could be introduced later using the 6536-1 and large crowns 6538 and 5510. What's also worth noting is the fact that both 6205 and also the 6204 were issued without any wording (no submariner) around the dial (for any 6205 no wording dial please visit here)*.

It is because at that time (experts assume) Rolex wasn't granted the trademark around the word ‘submariner’ yet.

The bezel insert of both 6204 and also the 6205 are identical. No individual first fithteen minute markers - only the five minute times. While there are several similarities- the variations between both references are greater. Whereas the 6204 had pencil hands (there have been very couple of 6205 with pencil hands see here)** the majority of the 6205 had ‘mercedes’ hands which function as the trademark hands for those future generation of submariners.

What's also interesting to notice would be that the mercedes hands are much like both your hands from the 6200 and never much like later models such as the 6536/1 that have been ‘mercedes’ in type but shorter and never as ‘fat’ (see picture of 6536-1 hands here). Even the seconds hands within the 6205 was considerably bigger compared to 6204 and reminds us a lot of big crown submariners (such as the 6200).

When it comes to depth rating (while not indicated) both 6204 and 6205 had the official depth rating of 100m. On the last note in regards to the dial, some early submariner are usually matt in finish (gloss dials will come just a little later round the 1956/57 period using the 6536) this 6205 is very glossy that is untypical for early submariner (for any glossy dial picture from the 6205 click the link).

Movement and situation back and situation

The movement from the 6205 carries the A260 calibre similar to the 6204 before it.

The situation like many early Rolex submariner models ought to be signed Brevet and also have a plus sign  .

Thorough review Rolex Submariner 6205

This really is visible below (see picture). Most early submariner are brevet signed such as the 6200 and 6204 which were almost created simultaneously because the 6205.

The situation back can also be like the 6204 and also the 6200.

Have the ability to the first ‘octopus’ symbol (so known as since the Rolex symbol or crown carries lines that resemble an octopus) around the situation back using the model no . (within this situation the 6205) written underneath the symbol (see picture below). I've made the image bigger because this situation-back is extremely rare. It is just located on the 6200 big crown as well as on the 6204 and 6205.

The models after such as the 6536-1 transported another situation-back. There are just two small variations between your 6204 and also the 6205.

First, the ‘R’ which isn't located on the 6205 but is located underneath the Rolex crown around the 6204 (see picture). Next the lack of the term ‘patented’ around the 6205 below.

Winding crown

Even though the winding crown is really a small detail with Rolex wristwatches- It is a vital one as a lot of watches include the incorrect crown. It's a small detail as well as the perfectionist (which all of us play the role of) it's an crucial one.

To utilize a vehicle example it's just like driving around inside a great 275 GTB/4 Ferrari and getting the prancing horse sign in which the back lights are rather of around the trunk lid. The right winding crown for any 6205 isn't the identical winding crown because the 6204.

Thorough review Rolex Submariner 6205

The winding crown increased to 6mm and will be a standard size on all future submariners such as the 6536-1, 5508 and 5512. Size apart the crown hasn't altered in the 6204 and it ought to be (see picture below) a Rolex crown using the plus sign ( ) right below it.

Most early submariner watches such as the 5508, 6536 for purchase include the ‘underline’ sign below that is incorrect because this would first be introduced within the 1970s.

Discuss the Serial Nr on 6205 & literature provenance

The 6205 utilized in this report is a common example and is regarded as among the finest 6205 around.

It features a serial Nr 2140x and could be seen on P18 from the original Submariner book by Mondani. The timepiece can also be highlighted within the newest Rolex book by Mondani ‘Rolex Story’ on-page 181.

You may question why the serial Nr is really low having a 6205?

The reference 6204 before is frequently found with serial Nr like 988xxx. How is this that the reference before includes a greater serial Nr compared to next reference? The reason is the fact that in 1954 Rolex arrived at the amount 999 999 and therefore began once again using their figures.

It has caused a relatively good confusion among collectors who have been initially unaware of the serial Nr beginning once again.

Concluding remarks

The 6205 submariner is fascinating watch - as very little is learn about this reference - bigger crown versions such as the infamous 6200 have overshadowed the ‘smaller brother’.

However I personally think the 6205 includes a strong attraction because of its wholesomeness.

Should you consider not one other submariner has this straightforward layout with simply the term submariner (with no depth rating) and ‘normal’ non- explorer type dial. The 6204 has this wholesomeness but nonetheless maintains the ‘pencil hands’ not reflective from the real DNA from the submariner.

The 6200 has this dial wholesomeness but has the explorer dial, that is attractive only produced in very couple of pieces as well as not reflective of our opinion because the submariner DNA lower the street. The 6205 is thus the very first model to actually represent what future Submariners such as the 6536-1, 5508, 5512m 5513 would seem like.

That's the reason I believe in the past seen it is a lot more important than the big crowns that came later (3-four years) such as the 5510 and also the 6538.

In addition Personally, i have weakness for that early gilt and radium dials and particularly the golden gilt hands, which only models like the 6200, 6204, 6536, 6536-1, 6538 and 5510 might have. Later models such as the 5508 as well as the 5512 would have the gilt dial but frequently lose the gilt-golden hands (only a number of 5508 I've ever seen possess the golden hands) that even in early 1960s would be more silver anyway.

On the last point, the 6205 is very rare.

Key in 6205 and auctions into google and find out the number of happen to be offered previously five or ten years. Barely a few. While rarity isn't the most significant criteria in collecting watches, it will increase its allure.

Here some extra information / pictures regarding this Rolex reference 6205 serial Nr 2140x. Underneath the first picture is from the watch within the new Mondani book ‘Rolex Story’ in which the watch is featured on-page 181.

Within the next picture the timepiece is taken in ‘natural’ sunlight and also you begin to see the strong ‘gilt’ printing not just around the dial but additionally around the hands from the watch. Notice even the radium around the dial.

Lastly the report wouldn't be complete with no mandatory wristshot. We're using another 6205 - owned by  Mr. Hatem Fawzy - situation Nr 8585x who permitted us to make use of this exceptional picture watching.