Manufacturer: Rolex Year: 1965 Reference No: 6234 Case No: 1'262'289 Model Name: Oyster Chronograph Material: Stainless steel Calibre: Manual, cal. Valjoux 72, 17 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Leather Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Rolex buckle Dimensions: 35mm diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement and buckle signed Literature: Similar examples of reference 6234 displaying black dials are illustrated in 100 Superlative Rolex Watches by John Goldberger, pg 126-127, and in I Cronografi Rolex - La Leggenda, Pucci Papaleo Editore, pg 256-257.
Catalogue Essay
Reference 6234 was first introduced in 1955, and is considered to be one of the rarest gems amongst the Rolex Oyster chronograph family. Both references 6034 and 6234 are highly desirable in the collector community, but are exceedingly rare when paired with a black dial such as the lot presented here.
This timepiece is certainly one of the most exclusive, attractive and well-preserved examples of reference 6234 to appear on the auction market. In fact, one can probably count the number of times a reference 6234 with black dial has been offered in public on only their two hands. Its dial features both a tachometer and telemeter scale along its outer rim. The “T-SWISS-T” found at the lower edge by 6 o’clock indicates that Tritium was used for the luminous hands and hour markers, which is correct as the serial number 1’262’289 dates the watch to 1965, when tritium was used exclusively for the luminous material used on all Swiss watches.
The case shows hardly any signs of wear, retaining its crisp edges, factory finishing, and original proportions. Examples of any reference 6234 presented in such excellent condition are few and far between. With its extraordinary black dial, the present lot is certainly a trophy for the collector of vintage Rolex sport watches.
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.