Manufacturer: Rolex Year: Circa 1952 Reference No: 6034 Case No: 907’741, inside caseback repeated “6034” Model Name: Oyster Chronograph Material: Stainless steel Calibre: Manual, cal. 72B. 17 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Leather Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel pin buckle Dimensions: 36mm diameter Signed: Case, dial and movement signed
Catalogue Essay
Introduced in the early half of 1950’s, the reference 6034 was among one of the earliest series of chronographs in the ref. 6000 range. Refer to as the Pre-Daytona, the ref. 6034 was modelled as the Oyster Chronograph making way to what would become one of the most popular designs of the 20th century of the coveted Cosmograph Daytona. The triple register design made in very limited numbers by Rolex’s standard were cased in stainless steel and gold. Amongst the vast collectible dial variations, one of the rarest and sought after configurations for the steel models featured contrasting scales encircling the dial with red telemeter and blue tachometer on a silver dial like the present example. Bearing a 907’XXX serial indicating the present specimen dates all the way back to circa 1952, cherished and worn during the era the present ref. 6034 is fitted with a “T SWISS T” dial denoting tritium used on the dial seen on ref. 6234. Likely to be upgraded during a Rolex service appointment after 1960s when tritium was introduced for health measures. Interestingly, while the original inside caseback stamped “Rolex Geneva Swiss Patented”, an additional “Montres Rolex SA Geneva Swiss” stamp from the end of 1970s is also present from servicing. Well-preserved with incredible vintage appeal and rich history, the present Pre-Daytona ref. 6034 is a delightful choice for the connoisseurs of vintage chronographs.
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.