First launched in 1955, reference 6538 is incredibly desirable today due to its versatility, robust proportions and attractive appearance. The model was in production for four short years and is characterized by its black lacquer "Swiss"-signed dial, lack of crown guards and 8 millimeter crown hence belonging to the category of "Big Crown Submariner”, or “Coroncione” as they are known in Italy, a literal translation of Big Crown.

Reference 6538 is forever immortalized onscreen, having accompanied Sean Connery’s James Bond on multiple secret missions. Bond’s gadget is most notably disguised as a "Big Crown" Submariner on films like Dr. No, From Russia with Love and Goldfinger. The agent's watch is fitted on different straps and equipped with different spying abilities. Consequently, reference 6538 is today also known as the "James Bond Submariner" to Rolex collectors and scholars. 

This example, manufactured in approximately 1958, boasts an absolutely original dial, completely devoid of any kind of intervention or restoration. The original luminous material has now acquired a strong dark tobacco colour and the glossy finish has aged to a subtle matte effect. The dial presents a characteristic used by Rolex during these years for a very short time, the luminous marker at 6 being notably lighter than the others. This is an inherent feature of the dial rather than a case of different ageing. It is speculated that the lighter marker would work in combination with the triangular index at 12 to allow for an improved and more immediate readability of the time and therefore minimise the chance for error.