Supplier BulletinAug 13, 2026
Your Piece Could Be the One Editors Talk AboutSponsored by American Gem Trade Association
AuctionsAug 22, 2019
Double Oh No: ‘Bond’ Rolex Fails to Find a Buyer
The Submariner Ref. 6538 was estimated to sell for as much as $280,000 in Sotheby’s “Watches Online: The Driver’s Collection” auction.
This Rolex Submariner Ref. 6538, also called a “James Bond Submariner,” failed to sell in a recent online auction at Sotheby’s.
New York—A rare Rolex model made famous by Sean Connery’s iconic performance as James Bond went up for auction online this week and, surprisingly, didn’t sell.
Sotheby’s estimated that the Rolex Ref. 6538 “James Bond Submariner” leading its “Watches Online: The Driver’s Collection” sale would sell for between $180,000 and $280,000.
Rolex introduced the Submariner Red. 6583 in 1955, bringing with it a new Caliber 1030 movement, a thinner case, more beveled lugs and a larger 8 mm winding crown, according to the auction house.
In 1962, Connery appeared for the first time as James Bond in “Dr. No,” sporting a Rolex Submariner 6538 and giving it a new nickname.
Rolex ceased production of the Ref. 6538 in 1959.
The specific timepiece that appeared in the recent online auction featured four lines of text on its “Tropical” dial, indicating it was Official Swiss Chronometer Testing Institute-certified, a dial that had faded to a “bright warm brown color” and its original “Red Triangle” bezel insert.
The watch is currently still with Sotheby’s and is available for sale until the end of the month.
It was the highlight of a sale that was a collaboration between the auction house and Bob’s Watches, an online retailer of vintage and pre-owned Rolex watches.
The two curated a group of 18 driving wristwatches to sell, inspired by a group of classic cars offered in RM Sotheby’s upcoming auction held during the famous Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance automotive charitable event in Monterey, California.
Jonathan Burford, Sotheby’s watches and clocks specialist in Los Angeles, and Paul Altieri, founder and CEO of Bob’s Watches, selected each watch to pair with a car, showcasing the best in watchmaking and automotive technology.
The James Bond Rolex, for example, coincided with the sale of “The Most Famous Car in the World”—the 1965 Aston Martin DB5 “Bond Car,” equipped with 13 functional Bond gadgets as seen in both “Goldfinger” and “Thunderball.”
All 18 watches were on display to the public at the Monterey Conference Center for a few days prior to bidding, which was held Aug. 14 to 20. 
Alongside the Rolex Submariner were rare pieces from Rolex, Omega, TAG Heuer and Patek Phillipe.
Other highlights included a Patek Philippe Nautilus ref. 3710/1A with an integrated bracelet and power reserve indicator that sold for $68,750 (pictured above); a Rolex Submariner Ref. 1680, a stainless steel wristwatch with MK4 “Red Submariner” dial and
Other highlights included a Patek Philippe Nautilus ref. 3710/1A with an integrated bracelet and power reserve indicator that sold for $68,750 (pictured above); a Rolex Submariner Ref. 1680, a stainless steel wristwatch with MK4 “Red Submariner” dial and
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
bracelet circa 1972 that went for $27,500; and a Rolex Daytona Ref. 116500LN stainless steel chronograph wristwatch that also sold for $27,500.
Meanwhile, two other watches in the sale didn’t sell—a Rolex Daytona Ref. 6263 stainless steel chronograph with a “Sigma” dial and oyster bracelet circa 1974, and an Omega Speedmaster Ref. 2998-1 with a “Tropical” dial circa 1960.
Meanwhile, two other watches in the sale didn’t sell—a Rolex Daytona Ref. 6263 stainless steel chronograph with a “Sigma” dial and oyster bracelet circa 1974, and an Omega Speedmaster Ref. 2998-1 with a “Tropical” dial circa 1960.
More on Auctions
The Latest
FinancialsAug 13, 2026
Pandora’s ‘Talisman’ Collection Shines, Lab-Grown Diamond Sales FallIn the United States, second-quarter sales were flat amid soft consumer sentiment and lower in-store traffic.
SourcingAug 13, 2026
2,488-Carat Diamond, Largest Found in Botswana, Has a New Owner Lucara Diamond Corp., which recovered the “Motswedi” diamond from the Karowe mine, sold the stone for an undisclosed amount.
Brought to you by
Why More Jewelry Retailers Are Hosting Turnkey Estate Buying EventsRetailers are seeking new ways to attract customers, increase traffic, and create revenue – Estate buying events are a popular solution.
CollectionsAug 13, 2026
John Hardy Infuses ‘Icon,’ ‘Heishi’ Collections with ColorThe expanded collections now feature hand-cut gemstones like topaz, tanzanite, chrysoprase, chalcedony, smoky quartz, and fire opal.
Weekly QuizAug 13, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Lab-GrownAug 13, 2026
Jean Dousset Opens Third StoreThe lab-grown diamond jewelry brand’s newest boutique is in Westfield Valley Fair in Santa Clara, California.
SourcingAug 12, 2026
Eshed-Gemstar on the Painstaking Process of Cutting ‘The Legacy Emerald’The gemstone supplier and manufacturer acquired the remarkable 104-gram Zambian emerald at Gemfields’ auction in May.
Brought to you by
Wedding Band Trends 2026: Personalization Takes Center StageColored gemstones, artisan finishes, mixed metals, and meaningful details are shaping demand in bridal jewelry.
CrimeAug 12, 2026
Elderly NYC Woman Targeted in Jewelry Swap SchemeTwo suspects offered to trade the woman a “winning” lottery ticket for her jewelry.
SourcingAug 12, 2026
Another Diamond Mine Poised to CloseFinsch has been in business rescue since May, and owner Petra Diamonds said it sees no viable path forward for the mine.
CrimeAug 12, 2026
Jewelry Store Employee Gets 20 Years to Life in Choking Death of BossMichel Patrick DeSalles was sentenced after pleading guilty to the 2017 murder of Omid Gholian, who owned a jewelry store in Manhattan.
MajorsAug 12, 2026
Frederick Goldman Names New SVP of SalesLongtime industry executive Beth Miller has taken on the role.
MajorsAug 11, 2026
Signet Jewelers Selects Mattel Exec to Lead Zales, BanterJamie Cygielman will take on the role on Aug. 24.
IndependentsAug 11, 2026
Polly’s Fine Jewelry Co-Owner Richard Moore Dies at 69Moore, Polly’s husband, is remembered as a family man with an easygoing spirit and a love for sports and the outdoors.
ColumnistsAug 11, 2026
Creative Connecting: How to Sell Colored Gemstones to Gen ZDuvall O’Steen and Jen Cullen Williams share the best ways to display, present, and explain colored gemstones to younger customers.
Events & AwardsAug 11, 2026
NAJA Announces Lineup For 2026 Fall Virtual ConferenceThe mid-year conference for jewelry and watch appraisers will take place Sept. 5-6 on Zoom.
TechnologyAug 10, 2026
Colorado Jeweler Launches Customization Tool He Built HimselfHonest Hands Ring Co. Founder Benjamin Bosworth shared his thoughts on jewelry technology and why AI can never replace the human element.
MajorsAug 10, 2026
QVC Exits Chapter 11 Bankruptcy, Names New Interim CEOQVC Group President and CEO David Rawlinson is temporarily being replaced by a familiar face, former QVC CEO Mike George.
CollectionsAug 10, 2026
State Property Puts a Ripple in the ‘The Voyager’ CollectionThe brand also added two one-of-a-kind brown diamond pieces to the “Sanssouci” series of its “Gardens” collection.
MajorsAug 10, 2026
And IJO’s 2026 Vendor of the Year Is … Ostbye took home top vendor honors at the Independent Jewelers Organization’s show, held last month in Kentucky.
Supplier BulletinAug 07, 2026
Why More Jewelry Retailers Are Hosting Turnkey Estate Buying EventsSponsored by Stratus Estate Buyers
MajorsAug 07, 2026
Retail Veteran Pam Cloud Appointed President of Blue NileCloud, who will officially join Blue Nile on Monday, spent 26 years at Tiffany & Co. and founded jewelry brand Roseate.
MajorsAug 07, 2026
Pandora Appoints Paulo Garcia as New CFO Garcia will take over from the company’s current CFO, Anders Boyer, who is retiring at the end of November.
MajorsAug 07, 2026
Etsy to Lay Off 12% of WorkforceEtsy CEO Kruti Patel Goyal explained why the company is letting go more than 200 employees as its performance improves.
TrendsAug 07, 2026
Look Ahead with Syna’s Binoculars PendantThe “Star Gazer” pendant, our Piece of the Week, is Syna’s tribute to curiosity and the discovery of something new.
CrimeAug 06, 2026
Lalique Museum to Remain Closed Following $5M HeistMuseum officials are looking to the public to help cover the “exceptional” costs involved in recovering from the July 5 smash-and-grab.
MajorsAug 06, 2026
Claire’s Revamps Piercing Services for Second Time in Three Years The overhaul includes enhanced employee safety training and trendy earring styles, including lab-grown diamond studs.
