Rolex - Geneva Watch Auction: FOUR Geneva Friday, November 11, 2016 | Phillips
  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: 1965
    Reference No: 6238
    Case No: 1'205'974
    Model Name: "Pre-Daytona"
    Material: Stainless steel
    Calibre: Manual, cal. Valjoux 722, 17 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Stainless steel, Rolex riveted Oyster, end links stamped 57, max length 190mm.
    Clasp/Buckle: Folding deployant clasp stamped 1.65
    Dimensions: 36mm. Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by Rolex guarantee confirming date of sale on July 22, 1971 and a receipt confirming a complete revision in 1972

  • Catalogue Essay

    Referred to amongst collectors as the “Pre-Daytona”, reference 6238 was the last Rolex chronograph model to feature a tachymeter scale on the dial and a plain bezel. The direct predecessor of the famous Cosmograph Daytona reference 6239, the 6238 already had many of the features that would enable the Daytona to earn the success we know today, including a distinguished, sporty aesthetic with a more modern design than earlier Rolex chronograph watches. The present lot is fitted with a stunning matte black dial with sunken registers. Together with its original white painted hands, they contrast beautifully with the stainless steel case. Most reference 6238s were fitted with silver dials, making the present example a particularly rare find. The “-T SWISS T-” found just under the hour sub-dial at 6 o’clock indicates that Tritium was used as the luminous material for the hands and hour markers. The word ‘Chronograph’ is featured prominently at 12 o’clock, before being replaced with the now-iconic ‘Cosmograph’ designation of the reference 6239. The present watch remains in superb condition, and with its black dial and original Rolex guarantee it is without a doubt a great find that will complete the collection of a demanding watch collector.

  • 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

52

Ref. 6238
An attractive and very rare stainless steel chronograph wristwatch with black dial, bracelet, accompanied by original certificate

1965
36mm. Diameter
Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed

Estimate
CHF80,000 - 100,000 
€73,400-91,800
$82,400-103,000

Sold for CHF150,000

Contact Specialist
Alexandre Ghotbi
+41 22 317 81 89

Geneva Watch Auction: FOUR

Geneva Auctions 12 – 13 November 2016