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Property of a Distinguished Gentleman

222

Rolex

Ref. 6238

'Pre-Daytona'

A fine and very rare stainless steel chronograph wristwatch with unusual 'blue' 'underline' dial and orginal expandable bracelet

Estimate
HK$240,000 - 400,000
Lot Details
Manufacturer
Rolex
Year
1963
Reference No
6238
Case No
950'385
Model Name
'Pre-Daytona'
Material
Stainless steel
Calibre
Mechanical, 72B, 17 jewels
Bracelet/Strap
Stainless steel <em>Rolex Oyster </em>bracelet, 180 mm. maximum length
Clasp/Buckle
Stainless steel <em>Rolex</em> folding deployant clasp stamped 4.63
Dimensions
36 mm. diameter
Signed
<em>Case, dial and movement signed </em>
Catalogue Essay
This reference 6238 is remarkable for a number of reasons. Firstly, the dial has aged over time and 'turned' a light blue colour. This is due to the paint pigments reacting with the elements. A very limited number of Pre-Daytonas 'turn' blue, making this example very rare. Secondly, there is an underline underneath the Oyster Cosmograph signature, which Rolex collectors identify as a transitional period from 1963 to 1964, where Rolex switched from using radium to tritium. This dial is signed Swiss, which is correct. The bracelet is furthermore stamped for the fourth quarter of 1963, confirming the bracelet is original to the watch. The luminous on this example has faded evenly to a warm orange colour which matches the hands, further adding to the appeal of this watch. Overall, an exceptionally rare and crisp example.

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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