Important Collectors' Wristwatches, P...

New York, Jun 11, 2009

LOT 211

Ref. 6238, Pre-Daytona Rolex, Chronograph, Ref. 6238. Made circa 1965, sold February 4th, 1967. Very fine and rare, water-resistant, stainless steel wristwatch with round button chronograph, registers, tachometer and a stainless steel Rolex Oyster bracelet. Accompanied by a fitted box, guarantee (now void), hang tag and instruction manual.

USD 25,000 - 35,000

EUR 20,000 - 26,000 / CHF 30,000 - 40,000

Sold: USD 36,000

C. Three-body, polished and brushed, screwed-down case back and crown, polished inclined bezel. D. Satine silver with applied steel baton indexes and luminous dots, subsidiary dials for the seconds, the 12-hour and 30-minute registers, outer 1/5th seconds track and tachometer scale. Luminous steel baton hands. M. Cal. 72B, rhodium-plated, 17 jewels, straight-line lever escapement, monometallic balance, shock absorber, self-compensating free-sprung Breguet balance spring, Microstella regulating screws. Dial, case and movement signed. Diam. 36 mm. Thickness 13 mm.


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Grading System
Grade: AAA

Excellent
Case: 3

Good
Movement: 2*

Very good

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

Good

HANDS Original

Notes

This watch was purchased new by the current consigner in 1967 in Dubai. He wore the watch for only a few months; then it was stored in a closet for 40 years. The watch remains in excellent condition (apart from a few very light scratches), with the original factory finish to the case and a remarkably preserved movement. This is the first time this watch has appeared at auction; it is undoubtedly the most complete and pristine example any collector has come across.