Reference:6200 - Revision history

Admin: Resize hero: 340px -> 250px

2026-04-30T04:22:33Z

Resize hero: 340px -> 250px

← Older revision		Revision as of 04:22, 30 April 2026
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	<span id="core-facts"></span>		<span id="core-facts"></span>

	[[File:Ref 6200 hero 2.webp\|thumb\|right\|~~340px~~\|alt=Rolex Submariner Ref. 6200\|Rolex Submariner Ref. 6200]]		[[File:Ref 6200 hero 2.webp\|thumb\|right\|250px\|alt=Rolex Submariner Ref. 6200\|Rolex Submariner Ref. 6200]]

	== Core facts ==		== Core facts ==

Admin: Fix A296 framing on 6200: full-rotor uni-directional, not bumper. Rolex never produced bumper calibers

2026-04-29T23:46:15Z

Fix A296 framing on 6200: full-rotor uni-directional, not bumper. Rolex never produced bumper calibers

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:46, 29 April 2026
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	== Movement notes ==		== Movement notes ==

	The 6200 runs caliber A296, an 18-jewel ~~bumper~~ automatic measuring 29.5mm across. ~~The bumper system,~~ a rotor ~~that oscillates against~~ springs ~~instead of rotating~~ a ~~full circle, was the standard Rolex automatic of~~ the ~~period~~. The A296 was a better fit for the big-crown case than the smaller 26.4mm A260 used in the 6204. Collector writing sometimes renders the caliber as A296/775 or A2966; the underlying movement is the same, and the A2966 spelling should be treated with caution until a primary movement source confirms it.		The 6200 runs caliber A296, an 18-jewel full-rotor automatic measuring 29.5mm across. A296 is a uni-directional Perpetual derived from the Aegler 765 / 775 base — the rotor swings 360°, not on bumper springs (Rolex never produced a bumper caliber; the 1931 Perpetual patent went straight to free-rotation). The A296 was a better fit for the big-crown case than the smaller 26.4mm A260 used in the 6204. Collector writing sometimes renders the caliber as A296/775 or A2966; the underlying movement is the same, and the A2966 spelling should be treated with caution until a primary movement source confirms it.

	<span id="dial-map"></span>		<span id="dial-map"></span>

Admin: Text audit: voice, clarity, source links

2026-04-29T23:04:22Z

Text audit: voice, clarity, source links

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:04, 29 April 2026
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	The 6200 sits beside the small-crown 6204 and 6205, but it is the big-crown branch that points to the later 6538 and 5510. The small-crown watches rated to 100m; the 6200 doubled that to 200m, with a larger engraved "BREVET" crown and a thicker case to match. The Twinlock double-gasket system was still years away. Case diameter stayed at 36mm, but the profile sits noticeably fatter than the 6204 to clear the deeper rating and the larger crown tube. The 6200 also wears larger on the wrist than the 6536 or the 6538 that followed it.		The 6200 sits beside the small-crown 6204 and 6205, but it is the big-crown branch that points to the later 6538 and 5510. The small-crown watches rated to 100m; the 6200 doubled that to 200m, with a larger engraved "BREVET" crown and a thicker case to match. The Twinlock double-gasket system was still years away. Case diameter stayed at 36mm, but the profile sits noticeably fatter than the 6204 to clear the deeper rating and the larger crown tube. The 6200 also wears larger on the wrist than the 6536 or the 6538 that followed it.

	Serials cluster between roughly 320xxx and 322xxx — a single concentrated run rather than a band stretched across years of production.<span id="production-outline"></span>		Serials cluster between roughly 320xxx and 322xxx — a single concentrated run rather than a band stretched across years of production.

			<span id="production-outline"></span>
	== Production outline ==		== Production outline ==

	Sources place the 6200 in a 1953 to 1956 window, with most production landing in 1954 to 1956. Colin A. White's ''The Vintage Rolex Field Manual'' starts the run a year earlier, in 1953. The short run reads as an experiment. Rolex was still working out what the Submariner was supposed to be, and the high-specification big-crown approach proved too specialised for volume. The 6538 picked up the big-crown identity at greater scale a few years later, but the 6200 is where the idea was first tried.<span id="movement-notes"></span>		Sources place the 6200 in a 1953 to 1956 window, with most production landing in 1954 to 1956. Colin A. White's ''The Vintage Rolex Field Manual'' starts the run a year earlier, in 1953. The short run reads as an experiment. Rolex was still working out what the Submariner was supposed to be, and the high-specification big-crown approach proved too specialised for volume. The 6538 picked up the big-crown identity at greater scale a few years later, but the 6200 is where the idea was first tried.

			<span id="movement-notes"></span>
	== Movement notes ==		== Movement notes ==

	The 6200 runs caliber A296, an 18-jewel bumper automatic measuring 29.5mm across. The bumper system, a rotor that oscillates against springs instead of rotating a full circle, was the standard Rolex automatic of the period. The A296 was a better fit for the big-crown case than the smaller 26.4mm A260 used in the 6204. Collector writing sometimes renders the caliber as A296/775 or A2966; the underlying movement is the same, and the A2966 spelling should be treated with caution until a primary movement source confirms it.<span id="dial-map"></span>		The 6200 runs caliber A296, an 18-jewel bumper automatic measuring 29.5mm across. The bumper system, a rotor that oscillates against springs instead of rotating a full circle, was the standard Rolex automatic of the period. The A296 was a better fit for the big-crown case than the smaller 26.4mm A260 used in the 6204. Collector writing sometimes renders the caliber as A296/775 or A2966; the underlying movement is the same, and the A2966 spelling should be treated with caution until a primary movement source confirms it.

			<span id="dial-map"></span>
	== Dial map ==		== Dial map ==

	The key branch is the Explorer dial: 3-6-9 numerals at the hour cardinals in place of the standard baton markers. The configuration drives the strongest 6200 auction results and most of the collector attention, because it lands a layout associated with the Explorer line onto one of the earliest Submariners.		The key branch is the Explorer dial: 3-6-9 numerals at the hour cardinals in place of the standard baton markers. The configuration drives the strongest 6200 auction results and most of the collector attention, because it lands a layout associated with the Explorer line onto one of the earliest Submariners.

	Explorer dials appear across several early references — 6200, 6538, 5510, 5512, 5513. The prevailing view among collectors is that Rolex used them as a substitute when supplies of the correct Submariner dial ran short during early production. Logan Baker, [https://www.phillips.com/article/144608770/rolex-submariner-explorer-dial-6200-big-crown-5512-vintage-auction writing for Phillips in 2019], counted only fifteen Explorer-dial Submariners ever sold by the house across the entire early family.<span id="two-explorer-dial-variations"></span>		Explorer dials appear across several early references — 6200, 6538, 5510, 5512, 5513. The prevailing view among collectors is that Rolex used them as a substitute when supplies of the correct Submariner dial ran short during early production. Logan Baker, [https://www.phillips.com/article/144608770/rolex-submariner-explorer-dial-6200-big-crown-5512-vintage-auction writing for Phillips in 2019], counted only fifteen Explorer-dial Submariners ever sold by the house across the entire early family.

			<span id="two-explorer-dial-variations"></span>
	=== Two Explorer-dial variations ===		=== Two Explorer-dial variations ===

	Two distinct Explorer-dial layouts exist on the 6200. The earlier one carries a smaller coronet logo and no "Submariner" text, showing only Oyster Perpetual above the hands and the depth rating below. The later layout adds the larger logo and "Submariner" text while keeping the 3-6-9 format. Both are extremely rare against the 303-unit total.		Two distinct Explorer-dial layouts exist on the 6200. The earlier one carries a smaller coronet logo and no "Submariner" text, showing only Oyster Perpetual above the hands and the depth rating below. The later layout adds the larger logo and "Submariner" text while keeping the 3-6-9 format. Both are extremely rare against the 303-unit total.

	Radium lume on surviving examples typically shows spotting, a period-correct deterioration caused by the aggressiveness of the material over decades. Spotting confirms originality.<span id="red-depth-rating"></span>		Radium lume on surviving examples typically shows spotting, a period-correct deterioration caused by the aggressiveness of the material over decades. Spotting confirms originality.

			<span id="red-depth-rating"></span>
	=== Red depth rating ===		=== Red depth rating ===

	A distinct variant carries the depth rating printed in red instead of the standard gilt. It is the single highest-value 6200 configuration, and the highest-value vintage Submariner ever sold at auction.		A distinct variant carries the depth rating printed in red instead of the standard gilt. It is the single highest-value 6200 configuration, and the highest-value vintage Submariner ever sold at auction.

			<span id="gilt-finish"></span>
	=== Gilt finish ===		=== Gilt finish ===

	All known 6200 dials are glossy gilt — gold printing on a glossy black lacquer ground. Tropical examples, where the black lacquer has aged to brown or chocolate, draw the strongest collector attention; every surviving piece is meaningful against a 303-unit total.		All known 6200 dials are glossy gilt — gold printing on a glossy black lacquer ground. Tropical examples, where the black lacquer has aged to brown or chocolate, draw the strongest collector attention; every surviving piece is meaningful against a 303-unit total.

			<span id="case-bezel-crystal-and-crown"></span>
	== Case, bezel, crystal, and crown ==		== Case, bezel, crystal, and crown ==

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	<span id="special-branches"></span>		<span id="special-branches"></span>
	== Special branches ==		== Special branches ==

			<span id="explorer-dial"></span>
	=== Explorer dial ===		=== Explorer dial ===

	The Explorer-dial branch is the main reason the 6200 commands the prices it does. A 3-6-9 Explorer layout on a Submariner case at the earliest moment of the line, across a reference that produced only 303 pieces, sits among the most desirable early Submariner configurations on the market.<span id="no-text-dials-smaller-logo"></span>		The Explorer-dial branch is the main reason the 6200 commands the prices it does. A 3-6-9 Explorer layout on a Submariner case at the earliest moment of the line, across a reference that produced only 303 pieces, sits among the most desirable early Submariner configurations on the market.

			<span id="no-text-dials-smaller-logo"></span>
	=== No-text dials (smaller logo) ===		=== No-text dials (smaller logo) ===

	Explorer-dial examples without "Submariner" text form a secondary branch inside the Explorer-dial category. They are treated as earlier production and add a further layer of rarity to an already rare reference.<span id="red-depth-rating-1"></span>		Explorer-dial examples without "Submariner" text form a secondary branch inside the Explorer-dial category. They are treated as earlier production and add a further layer of rarity to an already rare reference.

			<span id="red-depth-rating-1"></span>
	=== Red depth rating ===		=== Red depth rating ===

	The red depth rating variant is the single highest-value 6200 configuration. Only a handful of examples are known.<span id="historical-market-and-auction-record"></span>		The red depth rating variant is the single highest-value 6200 configuration. Only a handful of examples are known.

			<span id="historical-market-and-auction-record"></span>
	== Historical market and auction record ==		== Historical market and auction record ==

Admin: SEO: og:image + image_alt + og_type + timestamps

2026-04-29T03:22:45Z

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	\|published_time=2026-04-14T16:13:19Z		\|published_time=2026-04-14T16:13:19Z
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2026-04-29T02:50:06Z

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← Older revision		Revision as of 02:50, 29 April 2026
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	\|published_time=2026-04-14T16:13:19Z		\|published_time=2026-04-14T16:13:19Z
	\|modified_time=2026-04-~~27T04~~:45:~~14Z~~		\|modified_time=2026-04-29T02:35:59Z
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2026-04-29T02:35:59Z

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← Older revision		Revision as of 02:35, 29 April 2026
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	{{#seo:		{{#seo:
	\|title=Rolex 6200 — BezelBase		\|title=Rolex 6200 Submariner — Production, Dial Variants, Serial Ranges \| BezelBase
	\|description=The 6200 is the rarest Submariner reference ever made. The 303-piece production figure is the reason it still sits in its own market tier.		\|description=The 6200 is the rarest Submariner reference ever made. The 303-piece production figure is the reason it still sits in its own market tier.
	\|image=Ref 6200 hero 2.webp		\|image=Ref 6200 hero 2.webp
	\|image_alt=Rolex Submariner Ref. 6200		\|image_alt=Rolex Submariner Ref. 6200
			\|type=article
	\|og_type=article		\|og_type=article
	\|published_time=2026-04-14T16:13:19Z		\|published_time=2026-04-14T16:13:19Z
	\|modified_time=2026-04-~~25T02~~:57:~~28Z~~		\|modified_time=2026-04-27T04:45:14Z
	\|robots=index,follow,max-image-preview:large		\|robots=index,follow,max-image-preview:large
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Admin: Normalize Field Manual citation: ''The Vintage Rolex Field Manual'' — Colin A. White, Morning Tundra

2026-04-27T04:40:05Z

Normalize Field Manual citation: ''The Vintage Rolex Field Manual'' — Colin A. White, Morning Tundra

← Older revision		Revision as of 04:40, 27 April 2026
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	* [https://tropicalwatch.com/watches/1954-rolex-submariner-6200-big-crown-tropical-3-6-9-dial/62ve 1954 Rolex Submariner 6200 Big Crown Tropical 3, 6, 9 Dial] — Tropical Watch, Tropical Watch		* [https://tropicalwatch.com/watches/1954-rolex-submariner-6200-big-crown-tropical-3-6-9-dial/62ve 1954 Rolex Submariner 6200 Big Crown Tropical 3, 6, 9 Dial] — Tropical Watch, Tropical Watch
	* [https://amsterdamvintagewatches.com/shop/rolex-submariner-6200/ Rolex Submariner 6200] — Amsterdam Vintage Watches, Amsterdam Vintage Watches		* [https://amsterdamvintagewatches.com/shop/rolex-submariner-6200/ Rolex Submariner 6200] — Amsterdam Vintage Watches, Amsterdam Vintage Watches
	* The Vintage Rolex Field Manual — Morning Tundra		* ''The Vintage Rolex Field Manual'' — Colin A. White, Morning Tundra
	* [https://www.hodinkee.com/articles/rolex-submariner-reference-points Reference Points: Understanding The Rolex Submariner] — Stephen Pulvirent, Hodinkee		* [https://www.hodinkee.com/articles/rolex-submariner-reference-points Reference Points: Understanding The Rolex Submariner] — Stephen Pulvirent, Hodinkee
	* [https://www.phillips.com/article/144608770/rolex-submariner-explorer-dial-6200-big-crown-5512-vintage-auction In-Depth: A Review of Vintage Rolex Submariners with Explorer Dials] — Logan Baker, Phillips		* [https://www.phillips.com/article/144608770/rolex-submariner-explorer-dial-6200-big-crown-5512-vintage-auction In-Depth: A Review of Vintage Rolex Submariners with Explorer Dials] — Logan Baker, Phillips

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2026-04-27T04:03:16Z

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← Older revision		Revision as of 04:03, 27 April 2026
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	\|title=Rolex 6200 — BezelBase		\|title=Rolex 6200 — BezelBase
	\|description=The 6200 is the rarest Submariner reference ever made. The 303-piece production figure is the reason it still sits in its own market tier.		\|description=The 6200 is the rarest Submariner reference ever made. The 303-piece production figure is the reason it still sits in its own market tier.
			\|image=Ref 6200 hero 2.webp
			\|image_alt=Rolex Submariner Ref. 6200
			\|og_type=article
			\|published_time=2026-04-14T16:13:19Z
			\|modified_time=2026-04-25T02:57:28Z
			\|robots=index,follow,max-image-preview:large
	}}		}}

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2026-04-25T02:57:28Z

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← Older revision		Revision as of 02:57, 25 April 2026
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	\|title=Rolex 6200 — BezelBase		\|title=Rolex 6200 — BezelBase
	\|description=The 6200 is the rarest Submariner reference ever made. The 303-piece production figure is the reason it still sits in its own market tier.		\|description=The 6200 is the rarest Submariner reference ever made. The 303-piece production figure is the reason it still sits in its own market tier.

			}}

	<small>[[Reference:submariner\|Submariner]] → '''6200'''</small>		<small>[[Reference:submariner\|Submariner]] → '''6200'''</small>