Regarded as a major turning point for Rolex Chronograph wristwatches, the ref. 6238 can be considered as one of the last of its generation. Released in the early 1960s, the reference was produced for a relatively short period of time ending in 1967. Before it made way for the first Cosmograph Daytona ref. 6239, the ref. 6238 dubbed by collectors as the “Pre-Daytona” was the last chronograph wristwatch by Rolex to feature a smooth bezel and a tachymeter scale on the dial.

Although the ref. 6238 was produced in parallel with the ref. 6239, the latter reference featured a solid bezel with a tachymeter scale and a two-tone dial with alternating colors for its registers. With that said, the ref. 6238 only offered monochromatic dials giving the whole timepiece an entirely different appeal to the ref. 6239.

While the majority of the production of the ref. 6238 in stainless steel were fitted with silvered dials, examples featuring a matte black dial are certainly rare and desirable. Throughout its entire production span, the reference was introduced in a total of three series.

First series – Up to 800’XXX serial, dial is similar to refs. 6034 & 6234 with or without tachymeter, with pointed hands and indexes.

Second series – Up to 950’XXX serial, rare two-tone dial.

Third series – Starting from 1’000’XXX serial with either silver or black monochromatic dial (Present lot).

The present example Rolex “Pre-Daytona” ref. 6238 features a well-preserved and rare matte black dial from circa 1965 with a 1.2 million serial. Furthermore, it is powered by the cal. 72B making it one of the last examples before it was transitioned to the cal. 722 featured also in the ref. 6239. With a “T SWISS T” designation at 6 O’clock, the present second-generation dial indicates the use of tritium for the luminous material applied on the hands and indexes. Preserved in attractive overall condition with a well-preserved dial, the present example timepiece will surely impress collectors seeking for a coveted “Pre-Daytona”.