Catalog example attributed to Rolex 6204 Small crown, no guards / Pencil hands, radium
Catalog example attributed to Rolex 6204 Small crown, no guards / Pencil hands, radium, photo 1 Catalog example attributed to Rolex 6204 Small crown, no guards / Pencil hands, radium, photo 2 Catalog example attributed to Rolex 6204 Small crown, no guards / Pencil hands, radium, photo 3
Catalog example: Rolex 6204 Small crown, no guards / Pencil hands, radium. Sourced example; exact configuration not independently verified. Photo source: bobswatches.com

Submariner reference

Rolex 6204

Small crown, no guards / Pencil hands, radium

Pencil hands, radiumSmall crown, no guardsCollector notes

One of the original Submariner references, with a compact case, rotating dive bezel and no crown guardsThe protective shoulders around the winding crown. Their shape is a major case-generation tell.. It establishes the basic layout of the early dive watch. This catalog entry records case material: Small crown, no guards; dial: Pencil hands, radiumAn early radioactive luminous material. On vintage Rolex, radium period and dial safety details matter..

Dealer range
$35,000 to $85,000
Auction range
$21,000 to $76,000
Evidence
3 source links

A closer look

Notable examples

Explore the dial, bezel and case details through distinct examples, each linked to its original source.

Compare Rolex 6204 configurations

Same-reference variants appear first, followed by nearby configurations in the same model family. These are catalog comparisons, not matched sales. Blank specifications remain unrecorded rather than inferred from neighboring references.

Recorded specifications by configuration
Reference / configurationCase materialDialEvidence links
6204 · Small crown, no guards / Pencil hands, radiumSmall crown, no guardsPencil hands, radium0 reference; 0 price
5508 · Small crown, no guards / Gilt, chapter ringSmall crown, no guardsGilt, chapter ring0 reference; 0 price
6205 · Small crown, no guards / Mercedes hands, radiumSmall crown, no guardsMercedes hands, radium0 reference; 0 price
6536 / 6536-1 · Small crown, no guards / Gilt, red triangleSmall crown, no guardsGilt, red triangle0 reference; 0 price
16800 / 168000 · Spider dialNot recordedNot recorded0 reference; 0 price
5514 · COMEXNot recordedNot recorded0 reference; 0 price

Questions to identify this configuration

  • Case material: Small crown, no guards. Ask which reference document or item-specific photograph supports this recorded detail, and whether the offered watch differs.
  • Dial: Pencil hands, radium. Ask which reference document or item-specific photograph supports this recorded detail, and whether the offered watch differs.
  • Request clear reference and serial markings, a service history and disclosure of replaced components. Compare those documents with the exact configuration above before treating another example as equivalent.

Reference sources and price evidence

0 distinct reference sources are attached to these 1 catalog entry. 1 entry has no attached reference source; treat their specifications and historical notes as catalog claims awaiting verification.

0 of 1 entry has attached price-source links. Dealer ranges, auction ranges and catalog estimates are separate data categories, not live offers or verified transaction results. Check each linked page for asking versus sold price, sale date, currency, fees and the actual configuration; a source link alone does not establish those details.

Photographs illustrate sourced examples. Image-source links identify their origin; they are not reference research, proof of authenticity or a statement of image rights. No physical inspection is represented here. Read the editorial and evidence method.

Collector Notes

1953-55; the first Submariner; 100m; cal. A.296; 37mm case

Pricing Ranges

Dealer range
$35,000 to $85,000
Auction range
$21,000 to $76,000
Links
bobswatches.com A Historical Look at the Rolex Submariner ref. 6204 | Bob's Watches watchguys.com Rolex Submariner 6204 Black collectorsquare.com Rolex - Submariner - Ref. Rolex - 6204

Reference Details

Reference
6204
Collection
Submariner
Family
Submariner
Dial
Pencil hands, radium
Case
Small crown, no guards
Data
Comparable-driven
Photo set
3 images
Workbook source
Submariner row 6

Reference Photos

Catalog example attributed to Rolex 6204 Small crown, no guards / Pencil hands, radium, photo 1
Sourced example; exact configuration not independently verified. bobswatches.com
Catalog example attributed to Rolex 6204 Small crown, no guards / Pencil hands, radium, photo 2
Sourced example; exact configuration not independently verified. watchguys.com
Catalog example attributed to Rolex 6204 Small crown, no guards / Pencil hands, radium, photo 3
Sourced example; exact configuration not independently verified. collectorsquare.com

Image Sources

bobswatches.com A Historical Look at the Rolex Submariner ref. 6204 | Bob's Watches watchguys.com Rolex Submariner 6204 Black collectorsquare.com Rolex - Submariner - Ref. Rolex - 6204