A milestone of Rolex’s chronograph production, the reference 6238 was produced in a variety of dial combinations, encased in stainless steel, 14K or 18K yellow gold. These were fitted with silver, grey, and black dials, with tachymeter and/or telemeter scales printed directly on the dials differentiating them from their successors, the reference 6239s. These particular Oyster chronographs are known as the “Pre-Daytona” as they bear the familiar case design of the later Daytona references, but with the homogeneous dial and subdial coloration and printed scales on the outer track of the dial, similar to the chronographs of the 1940s and 50s.

The minority of the reference 6238 was cased in 18K yellow gold, such as the present watch. It is fitted with a silvered “sunburst” or “soleil” dial that appears on later examples and closely resembles the dials of the next generation Daytona. The present example, bearing a case number dating it to 1963, has a beautifully preserved dial and a strong case in overall excellent condition.