The present watch is a fine example of the rare Rolex reference 6204, the firm’s first Submariner, in production only for one year from 1953 until 1954.

It features the typical elongated “pencil hands”, the sweep centre seconds hand is easily recognizable by its characteristic luminous dot at the tip without pointed extension, the so-called "lollipop hand". The dial features already the designation “Submariner” however no depth rating as this indication only became a feature on future references. A further characteristic of reference 6204 is the word "BREVET”, patented, just above the reference number found between the lugs at 12 o'clock.

Reference 6204 was available in two bezel versions, one without the minute graduation for the first quarter, like the present watch, or the other with the graduation for the first 15 minutes. The minute graduation became a standard feature on the model's successors.