53
Rolex
Ref. 6234
Oyster Chronograph
An astoundingly well-preserved and very attractive yellow gold chronograph wristwatch with luminous dial and French import marks
Full-Cataloguing
- Chronograph
- Dual-scale dial with luminous accents
- Incredible condition of preservation
- With French import hallmarks
Rolex’s production of the reference 6234 in gold was extremely limited. Scholars theorize that, since the reference’s launch in 1955, approximately 2300 examples were produced in stainless steel while less than 150 examples were cased in the precious metal. The reference ceased production after approximately six years of manufacture, replaced by reference 6238 in 1961 – the last “Pre-Daytona” reference.
The model was fitted with a variety of dials, ranging from those with a matte or lacquer finish, to various subsidiary register sizes, and different scales and color combinations. These variations were most likely used to gauge the market’s aesthetic tastes for chronograph wristwatches. Fitted with a smooth bezel, the tachymeter scale is most notably printed on the dial - a feature shared with its successor reference.
The present example features a dual-scale dial with an outer black tachymeter scale and an inner blue telemeter scale, with radium luminous accents to the hour markers.
A single glance is enough to capture the incredible condition of the watch. It features a superbly well-preserved case which fully maintains its original proportions and finish. The hallmarks and French import marks to the back are all in stunning condition. The dial as well looks as if it was kept vacuum-sealed until now: the luminous accents are absolutely intact, the graphics present no losses or fading whatsoever, and the surface is completely devoid of marks.
A truly exceptional piece for the exceptionally demanding collector.
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.