Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date 6537

The Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date ref. 6537 is a rare early iteration of the Oyster Perpetual Date line, produced during the mid-to-late 1950s. This reference was crafted in stainless steel or occasionally in 18k gold, featuring a compact 34mm Oyster case with either a smooth or engine-turned bezel. The case is equipped with a domed acrylic crystal, the Cyclops date magnifier, and Rolex’s signature screw-down crown and caseback for water resistance. Powering the 6537 is the Rolex Caliber 1030, one of the brand’s pioneering self-winding movements, offering solid reliability and a power reserve of approximately 42 hours. Dial variants included silver and champagne finishes, often with radium or tritium lume, applied hour markers, and dauphine hands, embodying the design language of the era. With a lug-to-lug length of approximately 41mm and a lug width of 19mm, the ref. 6537 presents a balanced and wearable form factor. As an early representative of Rolex’s transition to mass-produced date-equipped watches with automatic calibers, the 6537 remains a desirable and historically important reference for vintage collectors.