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Lot 143
Rolex. A very fine and rare 18K gold chronograph wristwatch with bracelet
SIGNED ROLEX, CHRONOGRAPH, REF. 6238, CASE NO. 1'422'431, CIRCA 1966
Closed12 May 2014
Price Realised
CHF 81,250
More Information
Specialist note
With Rolex undated guarantee and presentation box.
The present watch is a great example of a chronograph reference 6238 in its rare 18K yellow gold variant, captivating the observer with its charismatic "soleil" finish dial as commonly found on reference 6238 with silvered dial. It furthermore stands out by its excellent overall condition and the period "Oyster" bracelet.
Known in the watch world as the "Pre-Daytona", reference 6238 enjoys enormous popularity due to its rarity and historical significance within the company's history. In production only from approximately 1962 to 1967, this three-body watch was the company's last traditional chronograph with polished bezel. It is the immediate predecessor of Rolex's successful line of Cosmograph Daytona watches launched in the 1960s. With its diameter of 36 mm. it is also a very sporty, yet very subtle, watch and easily wearable on any occasion.
The Pre-Daytona came with a Valjoux base calibre 72B or the modified Rolex version cal. 722.
For more detailed descriptions and illustrations of reference 6238 see 100 Years of Rolex by Franca and Guido Mondani, pp. 104-106, as well as 100 Superlative Rolex Watches by John Goldberger, pp. 128-137 and I Cronografi Rolex - La Leggenda, Pucci Papaleo Editore, p. 278-291.
The present watch is a great example of a chronograph reference 6238 in its rare 18K yellow gold variant, captivating the observer with its charismatic "soleil" finish dial as commonly found on reference 6238 with silvered dial. It furthermore stands out by its excellent overall condition and the period "Oyster" bracelet.
Known in the watch world as the "Pre-Daytona", reference 6238 enjoys enormous popularity due to its rarity and historical significance within the company's history. In production only from approximately 1962 to 1967, this three-body watch was the company's last traditional chronograph with polished bezel. It is the immediate predecessor of Rolex's successful line of Cosmograph Daytona watches launched in the 1960s. With its diameter of 36 mm. it is also a very sporty, yet very subtle, watch and easily wearable on any occasion.
The Pre-Daytona came with a Valjoux base calibre 72B or the modified Rolex version cal. 722.
For more detailed descriptions and illustrations of reference 6238 see 100 Years of Rolex by Franca and Guido Mondani, pp. 104-106, as well as 100 Superlative Rolex Watches by John Goldberger, pp. 128-137 and I Cronografi Rolex - La Leggenda, Pucci Papaleo Editore, p. 278-291.