Rolex - The Geneva Watch Auction: FIVE Geneva Friday, May 12, 2017 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: Circa 1966
    Reference No: 6239
    Case No: 1'417'098
    Model Name: Cosmograph
    Material: Stainless steel
    Calibre: Manual, cal. 72B, 17 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Stainless steel Rolex Oyster bracelet, end links stamped 571, max length 190mm.
    Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Rolex folding deployant clasp stamped VF
    Dimensions: 36.5mm. Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed

  • Catalogue Essay

    Launched in 1963, reference 6239 was cased mostly in stainless steel. Early examples did not display the "Daytona" signature on the dial. It was only later that the manufacture experimented with the dial design, and printed Daytona in various positions to celebrate Rolex's sponsorship of the famed Nascar Stock Car race in Daytona Beach, Florida. The very first "Cosmograph" wristwatch, reference 6239 most notably featured the tachymeter scale on the bezel, unlike its predecessors reference 6238 or 6234 which featured the tachymeter scale on the dial.

    The present watch is a very early and attractive example of a reference 6239. The watch most notably features an early "second series" bezel, calibrated to 300 units per hour, with the "Units per Hour" text on the upper right portion of the bezel. Later "third series" bezels would features the text on the far right of the bezel, and would only be calibrated to 200 united per hour.

    The correct "T Swiss T" dial does not display the "Daytona" signature, which is characteristic of early examples. It was only later in the 1960s that Rolex started to introduce the "Daytona" signature, varying in size and situated below the Cosmograph text, making this watch among the last examples to feature this dial configuration. The luminous is intact, having aged with warm patina. The case is retained in excellent condition, with sharp finishes throughout.

  • Artist Biography

    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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Ref. 6239
A rare and early stainless steel chronograph wristwatch with bracelet

Circa 1966
36.5mm. Diameter
Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed

Estimate
CHF20,000 - 30,000 
€18,500-27,800
$19,800-29,700

Sold for CHF43,750

Contact Specialist
Alexandre Ghotbi
+41 22 317 81 89

The Geneva Watch Auction: FIVE

Geneva Auctions 13 – 14 May 2017