Important Collectors’ Wristwatches, P...

New York, The Grand Havana Room, Sep 20, 2006

LOT 175

So- called "Black Dial Pre-Daytona" Rolex, Oyster Chronograph, Ref. 6238. Made circa 1965. Very fine and rare, water-resistant, stainless steel gentleman's wristwatch with round button chronograph, registers, tachometer and a stainless steel Rolex Oyster bracelet.

USD 80,000 - 100,000

EUR 63,000 - 80,000

Sold: USD 88,500

C. Three-body, polished and brushed, screwed-down case back and crown, polished inclined bezel. D. Black with applied steel bâton indexes and luminous dots, subsidiary "guilloché" dials for the seconds, the 12-hour and 30-minute registers. Luminous steel "bâton" hands. M. Cal. 72 B, rhodium-plated, 17 jewels, straight line lever escapement, monometallic balance, shockabsorber, self-compensating Breguet balance spring, Microstella regulating screws. Dial, case and movement signed. Diam. 36 mm. Thickness: 14 mm.


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Grading System
Grade:
Case: 3

Good
Movement: 3*

Good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 3-01

Good

HANDS Original

Notes

Reference 6238 Is known by collectors as the ?Pre-Daytona? and was first published in the Rolex catalogue in 1964. This reference was available in stainless steel, 14K and 18K gold, until it was removed from the Rolex catalogue in 1968. This watch is fitted with a Calibre 727 movement that is an improved version of the Calibre 722 which was fitted in the early examples of this watch. Both calibres are based on the Valjoux 72B. Movements with all three calibre numbers are found in this reference. This watch is illustrated in ?Rolex, Collecting Wristwatches?, by Osvaldo Patrizzi, 2001 Edition, p. 437.