Important Collectors' Wristwatches, P...

New York, Dec 09, 2009

LOT 233

Rolex Ref. 6234 ?Pre-Daytona? Rolex, "Oyster Chronograph, Anti-Magnetic," Ref. 6234. Made in the 1950's. Fine and very rare, water-resistant, stainless steel wristwatch with round button chronograph, registers and a stainless steel Rolex Oyster bracelet.

USD 50,000 - 70,000

CHF 50,000 - 70,000 / EUR 34,000 - 50,000

Sold: USD 182,400

C. Three-body, polished and brushed, screwed-down case back and crown. D. Black with applied faceted dart indexes and luminous dots, subsidiary guilloche dials for the seconds, the 12-hour and 30-minute registers. Luminous steel alpha hands. M. Cal. 72, rhodium-plated, 17 jewels, straight-line lever escapement, monometallic balance adjusted to 3 positions, shock absorber, self-compensating Breguet balance spring. Dial, case and movement signed. Diam. 36 mm. Thickness 14 mm.


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Grading System
Grade: AAA

Excellent
Case: 3

Good
Movement: 3*

Good

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

Good

HANDS Original

Notes

Ref. 6234 made from the 1940's to the 1960's. The reference appears in Rolex catalogues until 1963. Considered by collectors to be the true pre-Daytonas (along with refs. 6034 and 6238), the early examples often have colorful tachometer and/or telemeter scales. The examples with the beautiful rich black-colored dials represent the ultimate and most desirable. The present watch is without doubt the finest example to have appeared at auction in the last 10 years. While the most ref. 6234 feature scales around the dial, this rare example has only a minute track. The beautiful gilt writing on the dial, contrasting with the silver font of the words Oyster Chronograph and Anti-Magnetic only reinforce its collectability. To enhance these features, the center of the dial has begun to turn to a dark brown color and all the luminous on the dial as well as on the hands have aged to a perfect beige patina. All these factors combined make for the best Pre-Daytona one can add to their collection.