If you ask any of the most serious vintage Rolex Submariner collectors, you will commonly hear a consensus that a Big Crown is their absolute grail reference. It’s hard to argue with that – who doesn’t want to be James Bond at least once in their lifetime? But odds are, few in our lifetime will have an opportunity at or even handle an exceptional original Big Crown during their journey. These are, in the end, the grail references for most.

So in 2013, Philipp Stahl of Rolex Passion Report and Daniel Bourne of Vintage DB did a collaborative to create what we have here, a “modern day” Big Crown, and what is known to us as the HS01. Produced in only 60 numbered units, they reworked a no date ceramic Submariner (ref 114060) by modifying and adding a list of homage elements to each piece. It consisted of adding a red triangle to the ceramic insert, tapering the case to include a beveled edge, adding faux patina to the luminous, using a white seconds hand, and most notably altering the case to eliminate the crown guards and fitting it with completely New-Old-Stock (NOS) 8mm Rolex Big Crowns and tube. More details of the HS01 is discussed here

The HS01 pays tribute to every element of what makes a Big Crown a Big Crown but with modern day versatility and in my opinion, the Submariner Rolex should have produced – They really nailed this one.

(Item: INVDBV_28)