Neither has the distinctive “cathedral” or “Mercedes” hands now so strongly associated with the Replica Rolex Submariner line. Rather, both of these early submariners have straight “pencil” style hands. Few, if any, of the 6205 Replica Watches bear the name “Submariner” on the dial, a major distinction of modern Submariners. Some 6204 models have the Replica Rolex Submariner logo printed below the center pinion, while others have the logo blacked out.It is believed that there were unexpected trademark issues connected with the name “Submariner” at the time the 6204 and 6205 were released, accounting for the inconsistent use of the Replica Rolex Submariner mark on these early Rolex Submariners Replica. Trademark irregularities notwithstanding, both the 6204 and 6205 are designated Submariner models in Rolex product literature. The Replica Rolex Submariner model went into production in 1953 and was showcased at the Basel Replica Watches fair in 1954. The assigned case reference number of this first Replica Rolex Submariner was either 6204 or 6205. It is unclear which model came first; in any event, the two watches are nearly identical.
By the early 1960s, these models had given way to the 5508 (small crown) and 5510 (large crown) models. All of these early Replica Rolex Submariners used either gilt (6200, 6204, 6205) or gilt/silver gilt (6536, 6538) printing on glossy black dials. Radium paint was used for the luminous indices.
The next wave of Replica Rolex Submariners, the 5512 (chronometer version) and 5513 (non-chronometer), marked a significant change in the appearance of the popular Rolex Submariner Replica design. “Shoulders” were added to the crown side of the case to provide protection for the winding/setting mechanism. In early watches—until 1964 or so—these shoulders were pyramid-shaped and ended in points. Later Replica Watches were manufactured with rounded shoulders. The 5512 and 5513 were both fitted with the oversized crown, which thereafter became a standard feature of the Replica Rolex Submariner line. In the early 1960s, Rolex Submariner Replica discontinued the use of radium paint for the luminous indices, switching to safer tritium-infused paint.
In 1965–1966, Rolex Submariner Replica discontinued use of gilt/silver gilt dials on the Rolex Submariner Replica Watches, switching to white printing. A final important change came with the introduction of the 1680 model in the late 1960s: the 1680 was the first Submariner to be equipped with a date function, marking the completion of the transition of the Submariner Replica Watches line from specialist tool Replica Watches to mass market fashion accessory. While many professional and military divers used—and continue to use—Submariners in the most demanding underwater environments, by the late 1960s, the watch had undeniably become a mass market product as well.
Throughout the next 40 years, the Submariner was updated with improved water resistance, new movements, and numerous small cosmetic changes. In 2003, Rolex celebrated the Rolex Submariner’s Replica 50th anniversary by launching the Replica Rolex Submariner-Date anniversary edition (16610 LV), with distinguishing features such as the green bezel and Maxi dial; its production ended in 2010 with the final Replica Watches being issued with the new “random” serial number.
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