Rolex - The Hong Kong Watch Auction: X Hong Kong Friday, July 10, 2020 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: Circa 1966
    Reference No: 6238, repeated inside caseback
    Case No: 1’422’463
    Model Name: “Pre-Daytona”
    Material: 18K yellow gold
    Calibre: Manual, cal. 722, 17 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: 18K yellow gold Rolex Jubilee bracelet, endlinks stamped “56”, max length 185mm
    Clasp/Buckle: 18K yellow gold Rolex Oyster deployant clasp stamped “A”
    Dimensions: 36mm diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement, bracelet and clasp signed

  • Catalogue Essay

    Launched in the early 1960’s, the Rolex ref. 6238 would be the last chronograph manufactured by Rolex that would not be a Daytona, hence earning its nickname the “Pre-Daytona”. Encased in a 36mm diameter case fitted with a smooth bezel, it would be the last chronograph reference to feature it until it was replaced by a solid metal bezel with tachymeter scale as witnessed in the ref. 6239. With most of the production of the ref. 6238 encased in stainless steel, yellow gold examples are sought after and rare.

    The present example encased in 18K yellow gold from circa 1966 features a silvered sunburst dial with applied yellow gold indexes matching the tone of the case. Presented in attractive overall condition, the present example is a great opportunity for collectors and lovers of vintage chronographs to acquire a nice example of the last chronograph reference released by Rolex prior to the release of the Cosmograph Daytona.

  • 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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1051

Ref. 6238, repeated inside caseback
A very fine and rare yellow gold chronograph wristwatch with bracelet

Circa 1966
36mm diameter
Case, dial, movement, bracelet and clasp signed

Estimate
HK$545,000 - 1,090,000 
€59,500-119,000
$69,900-140,000

Contact Specialist

Thomas Perazzi

Head of Watches, Asia
+852 2318 2001

WatchesHK@phillips.com

 

The Hong Kong Watch Auction: X

Hong Kong Auction 10 July 2020