Rolex - The Hong Kong Watch Auction: ONE Hong Kong Monday, November 30, 2015 | Phillips
  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: 1963
    Reference No: 6239
    Movement No: 6572
    Case No: 1'079'777
    Model Name: "Solo"
    Material: Stainless steel
    Calibre: Mechanical, 72B, 17 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Stainless steel Rolex Oyster bracelet, 190 mm. maximum length, end links stamped 57
    Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Rolex folding clasp stamped Rolex 2.64
    Dimensions: 36.5 mm. diameter
    Signed: Case, dial and movement signed
    Literature: For another example of a reference 6239 "Solo", please see Ultimate Rolex Daytona by Pucci Papaleo, pages 196 to 199.

  • Catalogue Essay

    The present watch is better known as the "definitive" version of the reference 6239. It has an extraordinary dial that embodies its distinctive mark of originality. Its most important and eye catching feature is the absence of the Cosmograph writing under the Rolex signature. This dial is the rarest variant of this reference 6239 and is called "Solo".

    In addition to the incredibly rare dial, the watch is fitted with a metal engraved bezel, with calibrated tachymeter scale up to 200 units per hour and measures intervals of 1 unit up to 100. Its Valjoux movement, calibre 72B, was in production for a short period only from 1963 to 1965.

    The first generation of Oyster Cosmographs are very sought-after collector's watches as they represent a true milestone in the history of the famous Rolex chronograph. Every aspect of this watch is extremely appealing to the most ruthless of collectors.

  • 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. 6239
A very fine and very rare stainless steel chronograph wristwatch with bracelet

1963
36.5 mm. diameter
Case, dial and movement signed

Estimate
HK$400,000 - 600,000 

Sold for HK$750,000

Contact Specialist

Thomas Perazzi
Head of Watches, Asia
+852 2318 2001
thomasperazzi@phillips.com

Ziyong Ho
Specialist
+852 9386 2032
ziyongho@phillips.com

Jill Chen
Specialist
+852 2318 2033
jillchen@phillips.com

The Hong Kong Watch Auction: ONE

Hong Kong Auction 1 December 2015 11am