An example from the “Pre-Daytona” era, the ref. 6234 was introduced to the public in 1955. Encased in a 36mm Oyster case, the reference features a smooth polished bezel with the telemeter scale printed inside. Offered in various iterations, the common configuration featured a scale printed only in blue with rarer variations featuring a multi-colored scale printed in both red and blue. Considered rare, the reference was only produced for a short period of time with its production seized in 1961 replaced by the new ref. 6238, which would become the last “Pre-Daytona” model.
The present example from circa 1959 features the rare iteration of the dial featuring a multi-colored red and blue telemeter scale that has been very well preserved over the years. With red and blue, the dial immediately differs from its monotone counterpart providing the wearer with a heightened legibility. Adding to its attraction, the tritium luminous plots remain intact and have aged uniformly with the luminous material on the hands and remains reactive under UV light.
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.
