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.
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.
