Submariner 6536/8 sold by Phillips in Geneva, November 2016

The black galvanic paint appears richer and better protected by a thicker lacquer layer compared to the dials found on the Submariner 6204/6205. Under the right conditions, the original glossy sheen of the dial can remain well preserved over the decades. Although the same Radium luminous material is applied on the dial and hands, the marker at 6:00 has a lighter color than the or the Lume and glows brighter under UV light.

The Submariner 6536/8 made its debut less than a year after the  introduction of the first Submariner 6204. The Submariner 6536/8 was a transitional model and part of an effort by Rolex to incorporate the caliber 1030 Automatic movement into its entire line of Oyster Perpetual watches. As the name implies, the Submariner 6536/8 was a hybrid of the Submariner 6536-1 and the Submariner 6538, both models that were introduced the following year. The "Double Reference" moniker comes in part from the presence of the "6536" and "6538" model numbers on the watch simultaneously. The "6536" reference number is engraved between the lugs, while the case back is stamped 6538, although it is crossed out and re-stamped "6536." It shares other attributes with the Submariner 6536-1 and the Submariner 6538. The Submariner 6536/8 has the same heavier case thickness of the Submariner 6538 and the lower "100/330" depth rating and smaller 6mm crown size of the Submariner 6536-1.

In addition to the case size, the shape of the  dial plate was also changed to accommodate the caliber 1030 movement. The newer dial was completely flat and had noticeable design updates. The depth rating was printed in red ink, making the Submariner 6536/8 the first "Red" Submariner. The "Submariner" model name was printed in gold paint, also atop of the lacquer layer and not stenciled in the galvanic paint layer like its predecessors.

The hands are made from a metal alloy that was gold-plated. They are also flat on top, a design that came to be known by collectors as "Gilt Hands." When the hands move about the face of the dial, the "Big Bubble" sweep-seconds hand appears to lightly graze the "Chapter" ring of the minute track. When it briefly glides over the minute hand, they are perfectly aligned.

The Submariner 6536/8 was fitted with early "Mercedes" style hands, during a period when the  hour hand was made in two sizes. The "Long Neck" hour hand was used briefly in 1954-55 on Submariner models and the shorter length that became the norm for decades to come.

Because of the smaller dial size, the Submariner 6536/8 uses the same size sweep seconds and minute hand as the Big Crown Submariners which are .5mm shorter than the other Small Crowns.