Rolex is a brand that was originally, and one could say ironically, not conceived as a luxury brand, but rather as a manufacturer of accurate, reliable and sturdy professional timepieces. This is why many Rolex patents – such as the Oyster waterproof case and the rotor automatic winding system – do not concern with exotic complications, but are rather improvements of a more utilitarian nature. Thus, the production of Rolex is historically characterized by relatively uncomplicated timepieces: chronographs, antimagnetic movements, dual-time models and so on.

The triple calendar chronograph line – exemplified by the present piece – can be considered the exception that proves the rule. In fact, at of the past century Rolex produced such timepieces in extremely limited quantities, and they remained until modern times the most complicated models serially produced by the brand.
It is enlightening to point out that such complicated creations are still linked to the basic Rolex philosophy: both chronograph and calendar are in fact very utilitarian complications, and all the references belonging to this line, with the exception of the early reference 4768, are waterproof.
These models are now collectively known as the “Killy”, after Olympic skier – and aficionado of the reference - Jean-Claude Killy, very much like another well-known Rolex chronograph is named after an iconic American actor.

Reference 6236 is the final evolution of the line. Interestingly, it is the only waterproof Killy model to feature a three-piece case, and it is easily distinguishable from the others by its more prominent bezel.

The present example is an outstanding specimen, not only because of its overall excellent condition of both case and dial, but also because it arrives to us with the original Guarantee, the Chronometer Certificate and even the original invoice. A virtually unique occurrence, it is made even more remarkable by the fact that it was retailed by the historical Bucherer retailer in Zurich, still today considered eponymous with high-end watchmaking.