ROLEX | SUBMARINER, REFERENCE 6536/1, LEFT-HANDED STAINLESS STEEL WRISTWATCH WITH BRACELET, CIRCA 1956

The Rolex Submariner reference 6536 was introduced in 1956, or three years after the launch of the legendary divers’ wristwatch. The reference’s production began during the late manufacturing of the reference 6200 and was produced alongside its sister reference, the ‘Big Crown’ 6538. The reference 6536 boasts a 100m water-resistance as well as a thin case, borrowed from the early 6205.

The Submariner reference 6536/1 was issued in three consecutive updates, which can be differentiated mainly by the bezel type and hands. The first iteration would bear a no-hash bezel in addition to a large white lollipop white seconds hand. The second iteration saw the introduction of the red triangle to its non-hash bezel as well as the fitting of a smaller lollipop seconds hand. Finally, the last iteration of the 6536/1 unveiled the hash markings to the bezel between 0 and 15 minutes, even if some examples do not bear the red triangle. The white seconds hand was furthermore replaced with a matching gilt hand.

The present Rolex Submariner 6536/1 was manufactured around 1956, making it an early model. The watch is fitted with a strongly patinated yet well-preserved 2-liner gilt glossy dial and bears a large white lollipop seconds hand. The “SWISS”-signed dial is displaying the typical 100m depth-rate as well as the highly popular matching gilt chapter ring around its periphery. The bezel is finally hashed and displays a non-red triangle at 12 in addition to the "hooked three" font, usually associated with the 5508 bezel. 

However, the present example stands out from the usually-encountered pieces as the case has been modified for a left-handed wearer, bearing the crown to the left-hand side of the case profile. It is known that Rolex produced left handed Day-Dates and GMT-Masters in very small numbers as early as the 1940’s and 1950’s, more than likely by request. Nowadays, left handed watches can be found in the collections of numerous brands, probably purely for comfort for the sinistral client. Even though it is unknown if the watch was modified by Rolex, it is important to note that the case correctly displays the reference number between the lugs at 12 o’clock and serial number on the opposite side of the case. This extremely unusual and fascinating wristwatch would indeed be a practical wear for a left-handed collector.