Manufacturer: Rolex Year: Circa 1966 Reference No: 6238 Case No: 1’422’464 Model Name: “Pre-Daytona” Material: 18K yellow gold Calibre: Manual, cal. 72B, 17 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Leather Clasp/Buckle: Gilt pin buckle Dimensions: 36mm diameter Signed: Case, dial and movement signed
Catalogue Essay
Dubbed by collectors as the “Pre-Daytona”, the Rolex ref. 6238 was the very last chronograph model released by Rolex before the firm introduced the famed Cosmograph in 1963. While its aesthetics form the foundation of the ref. 6239, the model was most notable for its smooth bezel with the absence of a tachymeter scale that was introduced in the ref. 6239. Powered by the cal. 72B, early examples of the ref. 6239 essentially carried the same caliber as its previous reference.
The present example Rolex ref. 6238 in 18K yellow gold with a 1.4 million serial from circa 1966 belongs to the very last batch of the reference produced overlapping the ref. 6239. Much rarer than its stainless steel counterpart, the present example in 18K yellow gold boasts an unrestored dial. Naturally aged with a strong vintage appeal, two hallmarks remain crisp and sharp underneath is lugs. A wonderful chronograph to have on your wrist during a weekend cruise along the coasts of South Bay.
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.
