Important Collectors' Wristwatches, P...

Geneva, May 08, 2010

LOT 292

Rolex Ref. 6238, Cosmograph Rolex, "Oyster Cosmograph", case No. 1226474, Ref. 6238. Made in 1965. Very fine and rare, water-resistant, stainless steel wristwatch with round-button chronograph, registers, and a stainless steel Rolex USA Jubilee bracelet.

CHF 20,000 - 30,000

USD 19,000 - 28,000 / EUR 14,000 - 21,000

Sold: CHF 24,000

C. Three-body, polished and brushed, screwed-down case back and crown, polished inclined bezel, Twinlock winding crown. D. Bicolor satine silver and black with applied faceted steel baton indexes and luminous dots, subsidiary black guilloché dials for the seconds, 12-hour, and 30-minute registers, outer minute/seconds divisions. Luminous steel baton hands. M. Cal. 722, rhodium-plated, 17 jewels, straight line lever escapement, monometallic balance adjusted to 3 positions, shock absorber, self-compensating Breguet balance spring, Microstella regulating screws. Dial, case and movement signed. Diam. 36 mm. Thickness 13.5 mm. Approx overall length 180 mm.


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Grading System
Grade: AAA

Excellent
Case: 3

Good
Movement: 3*

Good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 3-22-03

Good

Later original

HANDS Period

Notes

In 1962 the Ref. 6234 evolved into the Reference 6238 and featured in the Rolex catalogues until 1968. This reference is also called "Pre-Daytona" by collectors and was produced in stainless steel and in 14K and 18K gold. It was published for the first time in the Rolex catalogue for the Italian Market in 1964 and remained there until 1968. Its production is estimated at 3,600 examples from 1962 to 1967. The ref. 6238 was not yet an "Oyster" version and did not have a screw-down winding crown or screw-down timing buttons. The reference 6238 was the first new chronograph model launched after Rolex founder Hans Wilsdorf?s death in 1960.
Similar watches are published in ?Rolex Daytona: a Legend is Born?, Best Edition 2006, by Pergola, Mazzariol, Dosso, pp. 6 - 42.