1
Rolex
Ref. 6239 "The Priest"
Cosmograph
A well-preserved and early stainless steel chronograph wristwatch with extremely rare black and white dial configuration, tachymeter bezel and bracelet
- Estimate
- CHF50,000 - 100,000
CHF131,250
Lot Details
- Manufacturer
- Rolex
- Year
- Circa 1964
- Reference No
- 6239 "The Priest"
- Case No
- 1’080’193
- Model Name
- Cosmograph
- Material
- Stainless steel
- Calibre
- Manual, cal. 72B, 17 jewels
- Bracelet/Strap
- Stainless steel Rolex riveted Oyster bracelet, end links stamped 71, max. length 195mm
- Clasp/Buckle
- Stainless steel Rolex deployant clasp stamped 4.68
- Dimensions
- 36.5mm diameter
- Signed
- Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed
Specialist
Full-Cataloguing
Catalogue Essay
Prominently displayed in literature, the present timepiece is a very rare variant of reference 6239. Featuring a black grené dial bearing “Rolex Cosmograph” printed in white, its bi-color configuration is incredibly striking and provides a stunning visual contrast.
While similar in appearance to the first generation reference 6239 or “Double Swiss Underline”, this watch displays a “T Swiss T” inscription at 6 o’clock rather than “Swiss”. Instead of using radium, dial makers now used tritium for the luminous dots due to changes in regulations.
This layout shows how the reference gradually evolved. It demonstrates how Rolex expanded its repertoire by slowly altering existing formulae. Like most of its first series predecessors, the movement bridge is also stamped ROW, indicating it was made for the American market.
Preserved in exceptional condition, the early bezel is very crisp. The milling on the case back is particularly impressive. Furthermore, the dial hardly displays any spotting or tarnishing.
While similar in appearance to the first generation reference 6239 or “Double Swiss Underline”, this watch displays a “T Swiss T” inscription at 6 o’clock rather than “Swiss”. Instead of using radium, dial makers now used tritium for the luminous dots due to changes in regulations.
This layout shows how the reference gradually evolved. It demonstrates how Rolex expanded its repertoire by slowly altering existing formulae. Like most of its first series predecessors, the movement bridge is also stamped ROW, indicating it was made for the American market.
Preserved in exceptional condition, the early bezel is very crisp. The milling on the case back is particularly impressive. Furthermore, the dial hardly displays any spotting or tarnishing.
Literature
Rolex
Swiss | 1905Founded 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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