Rolex - The Hong Kong Watch Auction: TWO Hong Kong Monday, May 30, 2016 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: 1958
    Reference No: 6234
    Case No: 402'429
    Model Name: 'Pre-Daytona'
    Material: 14k yellow gold
    Calibre: Mechanical, 72, 17 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Brown crocodile leather strap
    Clasp/Buckle: 18k yellow gold Rolex buckle
    Dimensions: 36 mm. diameter
    Signed: Case, dial and movement signed
    Literature: For a similar example of a yellow gold 6234, please see 100 Superlative Rolex Watches by John Goldberger, page 86.

  • Catalogue Essay

    Launched in 1955, reference 6234 was in production for six short years only. The present watch, a 14k yellow gold reference 6234 made for the American market, is preserved in excellent and original condition. The top of the lugs still retain their satin finish, as do the back of the lugs. The proportions are excellent and full, and the dial is intact and original. The dial has also aged to a warm, ivory tone. In fact, dials in such original condition are very rare and hard to come by. The luminous has aged to a warm orange color, which perfectly match the color of the hands. A highly original and charismatic example with very crisp hallmarks and very crisp numbers in between the lugs that can be read without a loupe.

  • Artist Biography

    Rolex

    Swiss • 1905

    Founded in 1905 England by Hans Wilsdorf and Alfred Davis as Wilsdorf & Davis, it soon became known as the Rolex Watch Company in 1915, moving its headquarters to Geneva in 1919. Like no other company, the success of the wristwatch can be attributed to many of Rolex's innovations that made them one of the most respected and well-known of all luxury brands. These innovations include their famous "Oyster" case — the world's first water resistant and dustproof watch case, invented in 1926 — and their "Perpetual" — the first reliable self-winding movement for wristwatches launched in 1933. They would form the foundation for Rolex's Datejust and Day-Date, respectively introduced in 1945 and 1956, but also importantly for their sports watches, such as the Explorer, Submariner and GMT-Master launched in the mid-1950s.

    One of its most famous models is the Cosmograph Daytona. Launched in 1963, these chronographs are without any doubt amongst the most iconic and coveted of all collectible wristwatches. Other key collectible models include their most complicated vintage watches, including references 8171 and 6062 with triple calendar and moon phase, "Jean Claude Killy" triple date chronograph models and the Submariner, including early "big-crown" models and military-issued variants.

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Various Properties

Σ223

Ref. 6234
A fine and very rare 14k gold chronograph wristwatch

1958
36 mm. diameter
Case, dial and movement signed

Estimate
HK$400,000 - 600,000 

Sold for HK$625,000

Contact Specialist

Thomas Perazzi
Head of Watches, Asia
+852 2318 2001
thomasperazzi@phillips.com

Ziyong Ho
Specialist
+852 9386 2032
ziyongho@phillips.com

Jill Chen
Specialist
+852 2318 2033
jillchen@phillips.com

The Hong Kong Watch Auction: TWO

Hong Kong Auction 31 May 2016