Rolex - The Geneva Watch Auction: X Geneva Saturday, November 9, 2019 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: Circa 1962
    Reference No: 6238
    Case No: 866'420
    Model Name: "Pre-Daytona"
    Material: Stainless steel
    Calibre: Manual, cal. 72B, 17 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Stainless steel Rolex C&I bracelet, max length 195mm
    Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Rolex deployant clasp stamped 1.58
    Dimensions: 36mm Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed, movement further signed ROW

  • Catalogue Essay

    The present watch demonstrates how a watch can be preserved in exceptional and outstanding condition, even 57 years since it left the Rolex factory.

    The case extremely is remarkable. It features full proportions and extremely sharp finishes on the top of the lugs. The numbers between the lugs are particularly noteworthy. Deep and precise, the serial and reference numbers are engraved directly onto the factory-satin finish, demonstrating how they have never seen intervention in the past. Even the bottom of the lugs are sharp to the touch, as well as the edge of the bezel.

    The dial of the present watch is also extremely rare as very few examples have appeared on the market with the brand name in raised relief.

    The "Swiss" signed dial is printed in English, and is correct for the serial number of the timepiece. An incredibly rare dial variant, it is preserved in excellent condition with barely any signs of aging, which is impressive given the age of the watch. The luminous dots are all round, intact, and have aged consistently with the hands. There are no visible signs of tarnishing or spotting. Furthermore, the movement is stamped ROW, which was an export code for the United States - fitting, considering the dial language.

  • Artist Biography

    Rolex

    Swiss • 1905

    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.

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Ref. 6238
A highly rare, exclusive and exceptionally well-preserved stainless steel chronograph wristwatch with transitional dial and bracelet

Circa 1962
36mm Diameter
Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed, movement further signed ROW

Estimate
CHF50,000 - 100,000 
€46,900-93,800
$52,000-104,000

Sold for CHF87,500

Contact Specialist
Alexandre Ghotbi
Head of Watches, Continental Europe and the Middle East
+ 41 79 637 1724
aghotbi@phillips.com

The Geneva Watch Auction: X

Geneva Auction 9-10 November 2019