Rolex - The Geneva Watch Auction: XII Geneva Saturday, November 7, 2020 | Phillips

Create your first list.

Select an existing list or create a new list to share and manage lots you follow.

  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: Circa 1964
    Reference No: 6239, repeated inside caseback
    Case No: 1'091'075
    Model Name: Cosmograph
    Material: Stainless Steel
    Calibre: Manual, cal. 72B, 17 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Stainless steel Oyster bracelet stamped 7835 19, endlinks stamped 357, measuring 230mm max.
    Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel deployant clasp
    Dimensions: 36.5mm Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed

  • Catalogue Essay

    The launch of reference 6239 in 1963 was a defining moment for Rolex and horological history as it saw the creation of one of horology’s most iconic watches: the Cosmograph Daytona. This model set itself apart from its predecessor with a stainless steel tachymeter bezel and sub-dials with inverted colors to the main dial. Replacing the monochromatic color scheme and tachymeter scale found on the dials of pre-Daytona Rolex chronograph models like the references 6234 and 6238, the changes made the Daytona’s dial more legible and gave it a sporty, more aggressive aesthetic.

    The present watch is part of the earlier 6239 models without Daytona printed on the dial, in fact this model was originally dubbed Le mans but with Rolex trying to penetrate the American market they later decided to call the model Daytona after the famous racetrack spanning over 500 miles hosting the most important Nascar races.

    In overall very good condition with an appealing strong case, the movement is further stamped ROW, indicating that the present watch was destined to the US market.

  • 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.

    View More Works

174

Ref. 6239, repeated inside caseback
A very attractive and fine stainless steel chronograph wristwatch with "MK 2" bezel and bracelet

Circa 1964
36.5mm Diameter
Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed

Estimate
CHF25,000 - 35,000 
€23,300-32,600
$27,300-38,300

Sold for CHF50,400

Contact Specialist

Alexandre Ghotbi
Head of Watches, Continental Europe and the Middle East

41 79 637 1724
aghotbi@phillips.com

The Geneva Watch Auction: XII

Geneva Auction 6 - 7 November 2020