Manufacturer: Rolex Year: 1964 Reference No: 6238 Case No: 997'154 Model Name: "Pre Daytona" Material: 14k yellow gold Calibre: Manual, 72B Bracelet/Strap: 9k yellow gold Clasp/Buckle: 9k yellow gold folding clasp, with Birmingham hallmark for 1966 Dimensions: 36mm. Diameter Signed:Case, dial and movement signed, case further signed Tiffany & Co
Catalogue Essay
Rolex's chronograph reference 6238 is the last model with a smooth bezel and graduated scale printed on the dial. A sporty yet elegant watch, its design is more modern compared to earlier Rolex Chronograph watches. The immediate predecessor of reference 6239, the first Cosmograph Daytona released by Rolex, it is also known amongst collectors as the "Pre-Daytona”.Reference 6238 was made predominantly in stainless steel with very few examples in gold. Whereas the European and Asian market were serviced with the 18 carat gold version, examples like the present one, cased in 14 carat gold, were usually reserved for the North American market.To the delight of scholars, the beautiful and well preserved dial, featuring the distinguished “Tiffany & Co” signature, is matching perfectly with the 14 carat gold case, both features in accordance with the North American market. Furthermore the watch is overall preserved in very original and crisp condition and takes in any Rolex collection a prominent position.
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.