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Lot 130
Rolex. A very unusual and attractive stainless steel chronograph wristwatch with rare decimal scale
SIGNED ROLEX, OYSTER CHRONOGRAPH, ANTI-MAGNETIC, REF. 6234, CASE NO. 425'963, MANUFACTURED IN 1959
Closed14 May 2012
Price Realised
CHF 35,000
More Information
Specialist note
The present watch is accompanied by a study of 22 pages, prepared by Eric Tortella, in regards to this dial.
According to the seller, the original owner of this rare chronograph was an officer in the Italian army and served as a ballistic engineer.
Rolex's reference 6234 is a classic within the Oyster chronograph family and many dial versions are known to have been used. The present example however appears to be the only publicly reference 6234 featuring, on top of the well-known tachometre scale, the ultra-rare decimal scale.
This scale, calibrated from 0 to 100, was designed for a number of timing operations, notably statistical analysis, calculation of averages and cost prices to name but a few functions.
Its use is simple and practical, allowing its wearer to push the start button when a production process is started and to press the stop button when the task is completed. The elapsed time, traditionally shown by the central chronograph hand expressed in seconds, is now indicated in a fraction of 100ths of a minute. Consequently, the output by minute, hour or day can now be comfortably and swiftly calculated.
We have not been able to locate another example of this chronograph model featuring such a scale throughout literature and decades of past auction catalogues. One can only speculate if it was a trial or special order which was exceptionally granted by Rolex.
Different examples of reference 6234 in regard to case material and dial layout are illustrated in I Cronografi Rolex - La Leggenda, Pucci Papaleo Editore, pp. 254-276, and in 100 Superlative Rolex Watches by John Goldberger, pp. 120-127.
According to the seller, the original owner of this rare chronograph was an officer in the Italian army and served as a ballistic engineer.
Rolex's reference 6234 is a classic within the Oyster chronograph family and many dial versions are known to have been used. The present example however appears to be the only publicly reference 6234 featuring, on top of the well-known tachometre scale, the ultra-rare decimal scale.
This scale, calibrated from 0 to 100, was designed for a number of timing operations, notably statistical analysis, calculation of averages and cost prices to name but a few functions.
Its use is simple and practical, allowing its wearer to push the start button when a production process is started and to press the stop button when the task is completed. The elapsed time, traditionally shown by the central chronograph hand expressed in seconds, is now indicated in a fraction of 100ths of a minute. Consequently, the output by minute, hour or day can now be comfortably and swiftly calculated.
We have not been able to locate another example of this chronograph model featuring such a scale throughout literature and decades of past auction catalogues. One can only speculate if it was a trial or special order which was exceptionally granted by Rolex.
Different examples of reference 6234 in regard to case material and dial layout are illustrated in I Cronografi Rolex - La Leggenda, Pucci Papaleo Editore, pp. 254-276, and in 100 Superlative Rolex Watches by John Goldberger, pp. 120-127.