Rolex - The Geneva Watch Auction: NINE Geneva Saturday, May 11, 2019 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: 1962
    Reference No: 6238
    Case No: 866,316
    Model Name: "Pre-Daytona"
    Material: Stainless steel
    Calibre: Manual, cal. 72B, 17 jewels, bridge further stamped ROW
    Bracelet/Strap: Stainless steel expandable riveted Oyster bracelet, endlinks stamped RD 874089, max length 195mm
    Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel deployant clasp stamped 1.58
    Dimensions: 36mm Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial and movement signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by fitted box

  • Catalogue Essay

    The Rolex 6238 Chronograph is gaining in popularity thanks to its elegant and balanced design enabling it to be considered as a sports chronograph when worn with an Oyster bracelet or a more casual chic model when toned down with a leather strap.

    Produced for only seven short years from 1960 to 1967, the Rolex reference 6238 also called “Pre-Daytona” came either in a stainless steel or yellow gold case with a variety of dials silver, dark grey, black and rarer versions with blue or blue and red multiscale.

    The present reference 6238 comes with a dial with black and blue scales found habitually in the reference 6234, the immediate predecessor of the reference 6238. As the present watch is one of the very early reference 6238, created at a time when the reference 6234 was being phased out it is thus not unusual to see this combination. Rolex continued using dials of discontinued models in succeeding references showing the overlap and continuity of their designs.

  • 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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183

Ref. 6238
An attractive stainless steel chronograph wristwatch with bracelet, guarantee and fitted box

1962
36mm Diameter
Case, dial and movement signed

Estimate
CHF15,000 - 25,000 
€13,400-22,300
$15,100-25,200

Sold for CHF28,750

Contact Specialist
Alexandre Ghotbi
Head of Sale
+ 41 79 637 1724
aghotbi@phillips.com

The Geneva Watch Auction: NINE

Geneva Auction 11-12 May 2019