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

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  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: 1961
    Reference No: 6234
    Case No: 807'494
    Model Name: 'Pre-Daytona'
    Material: 14k yellow gold
    Calibre: Mechanical, 72A, 17 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: 14k yellow gold Rolex Oyster bracelet, 160 mm. maximum length, end link stamped 57
    Clasp/Buckle: 14k yellow gold Rolex folding deployant clasp stamped 585 for 14k gold
    Dimensions: 36 mm. diameter
    Signed: Case, dial and movement signed
    Accessories: With Rolex fitted presentation box.
    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 is better known as the 'Godfather' of Daytonas, inspiring successors such as the 'Father' of Daytonas, the 6238, and finally references 6239, 6241, 6263, 6265 and so forth. Production of this reference was extremely limited, and it is said that Rolex produced about 2300 examples in stainless steel, and less than 150 examples in 14k or 18k gold. The present watch, cased in 14k yellow gold, was produced for the American market. The watch is furthermore accompanied by an 14k gold expandable bracelet from the same period. The case is very crisp and in very good and attractive overall condition. The dial is very charismatic and in very good overall condition. It is interesting to note that the watch was made in 1961 but the dial being printed 'T Swiss T' would indicate 1964. Due to the closeness of the manufacture of the watch and the market's knowledge that the dial is from 1964, it is entirely possible that the watch left the factory in this way.

  • 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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Ref. 6234
A fine and rare 14k yellow gold chronograph wristwatch with bracelet and fitted presentation box

1961
36 mm. diameter
Case, dial and movement signed

Estimate
HK$400,000 - 600,000 

Sold for HK$525,000

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