Rolex - The New York Watch Auction: NINE New York Saturday, December 9, 2023 | Phillips
  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: 1960
    Reference No: 6234; inside caseback stamped 6234
    Case No: 576’327
    Model Name: Oyster Chronograph “Pre-Daytona”
    Material: 14K yellow gold
    Calibre: Manual, cal. Valjoux 72A, 17 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Leather
    Dimensions: 36mm Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, and movement signed. Movement additionally stamped ROW.

  • Catalogue Essay

    Production of gold examples of the reference 6234 were extremely limited. Scholars theorize that, since the reference’s launch in 1955, approximately 2,300 examples were produced in stainless steel, while less than 150 examples were cased in 14K or 18K yellow gold. The reference ceased production after approximately six years, replaced by reference 6238. Yellow gold examples are believed to have been produced mainly for the American market, an assertion given more weight due to the presence of many “ROW”-stamped movements within the 14K yellow gold cases.

    The reference 6234 was fitted with a variety of dials, ranging from those with a matte or lacquer finish, to various subsidiary register sizes, and different scales and color combinations. These variations were used to gauge the market’s tastes for chronograph wristwatches. The present reference 6234 displays a black base-1,000 tachymeter scale, a robin egg blue telemeter scale rated in miles (another indication of the intended market for this watch), and a luminous dial and handset.

    Further, this example of the reference 6234 is offered fresh-to-the-market, directly from the family of the original owner with an absolutely charming multi-scale dial.

    CONSIGNED BY FAMILY OF THE ORIGINAL OWNER

  • 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.

    View More Works

96

Ref. 6234; inside caseback stamped 6234
A beautiful and rare 14K yellow gold chronograph wristwatch with luminous multi-scale dial, from the family of the original owner

1960
36mm Diameter
Case, dial, and movement signed. Movement additionally stamped ROW.

Estimate
$50,000 - 100,000 
CHF45,000-90,100
€46,800-93,600
HK$390,000-781,000
S$68,000-136,000

Sold for $63,500

Contact Specialist

Paul Boutros
Deputy Chairman and Head of Watches, Americas
+1 (212) 940-1293
WatchesNY@Phillips.com
 
Isabella Proia
Head of Sale, New York
+1 (212) 940 1285
iproia@phillips.com

The New York Watch Auction: NINE

New York Auction 9 - 10 December 2023