A milestone of Rolex’s chronograph history, the reference 6238, known as the “Pre-Daytona”, was produced in a variety of dial combinations, encased in stainless steel, 14k or 18k yellow gold. Though the Rolex Daytona often steals the spotlight, the world of the Rolex “Pre-Daytona” is fascinatingly diverse and offers ample opportunity for a collector to get lost in all the beautiful subtle details. The reference 6238 immediately precedes the first official Daytona, the reference 6239, and differs in several ways. Most obvious, however, is the 6238’s polished bezel was replaced by a metal or acrylic tachymeter bezel on the Daytona. The reference 6238s, whichever their configuration, have the chronograph scale printed on the dial.

An absolutely superlative example, the present lot bewitches the beholder with its exceptionally well-preserved black glossy dial; while most black glossy vintage Rolex dials tend to age with clouding, bubbling or patina - more or less strong according to its conservation history of course - the present one arrives to us in an astounding condition, fully maintaining its glossy sheen. The "transitional" dial, which is correct for the serial number, furthermore features full luminous dots that display a warm patina, matching the hands. With a serial number that dates the timepiece to approximately 1964, it was during this period that Rolex started to switch from "Swiss" dials, to those displaying "T Swiss T" to reflect the addition of tritium on the dials.

The case is also preserved in splendid condition; the lug holes retain a good distance from the edge of the lugs, the numbers between the lugs are crisp and visible, as well as the hallmarks beneath the lugs.

On a graphical level, the dial design is simply a masterpiece: the telemeter and tachometer scales frame the extremely balanced dial already bearing the three-counter architecture which will be a signature trait of the Cosmograph Daytona.