Vintage Rolex Submariner Watches are a dime a dozen and hardly something difficult to stumble over. More often than not, they’re a really good deal: we’d gladly drop €5k on a ref 5513 any day. However, there’s vintage Subs and then there’s vintage Subs. We’ve found a jaw-dropping example of the latter.

An incredible ref 6538 from 1959 turned up on James recently and it’s more or less the perfect storm of those old-timey attributes that makes us salivate and forces collectors to open their wallets. First off, it’s almost as close as you’ll get to the original James Bond watch (on the silver screen, that is – the dealer promises to include a NATO strap for all purists)… So much so that Daniel Craig himself wears one, much to Omega‘s presumed annoyance. Check out our story from yesteryear on the subject.

It has a big, chunky crown without guards, just like back in the good ol’ days and comes on its original, riveted bracelet. But it’s the dial where this piece really shines: the watch seemingly has been used and loved, as the dial has faded to a lovely brown shade, amicably known as “tropical”, something that is especially appreciated by Rolex collectors in Italy. The index and hands have attained a patina so deep it seems almost gold. And to top it off: it’s a one-line dial, something you rarely see, nevermind are offered to buy.