163 Rolex Fine and Sought-After, Pre-Daytona, Wristwatch in Steel, With Small Subsidiary Registers, Reference 6234
Estimate: €20,000 – 40,000
Sold (Premium)€45,500
Model: Pre Daytona
Reference: 6234
Case Material: Stainless Steel
Bracelet Material: Stainless Steel
Year: 1961
Movement: Manual
Caliber: 72A
Case N°: 688 684
Dimensions: 36 mm
Signed: Dial, Movement and Case
Preceding the Cosmograph Daytona family of watches, the Oyster chronograph reference 6234 is one of Rolex’s undervalued watches, effortlessly combining a sporty look with elegant flair. Since it came earlier, these models can be considered as the grandfather of the Daytonas and for this reason the 6234 are also called Pre-Daytona although this name would be up to the 6238. According to the latest estimates, Rolex made approximately 500 models per year during the six-year production span, which was between 1955 and 1961 for a total of around 3,000 watches. This model followed the reference 6034 and the main difference between the two was the composition of their case: the 6034 was composed by a two-body case while the 6234 one with a three-body case with removable bezel. Most of the 6234 watches were in stainless steel Oyster cases and very few in 14k or 18k gold and equipped with either silver or very rare black dials. This reference is the last before the debut of baton hands and faceted hour markers, both present in the ref. 6238 and both absolute pillars of the Daytona’s design. Quality 6234s are extremely rare and highly sought-after and the present watch can easily be mentioned among them: the stainless steel case is still fresh and crisp with very few signs of use. The dial is simply amazing with the multi-scale structure with black tachymeter and blue telemeter scale so clear and almost tridimensional for the porosity of the ink. The starting light color of the dial has turned towards an incredibly homogeneous pinkish tone that makes this watch absolutely unique. The addiction of a very nice folded jubilee bracelet increase the charm to this absolute collector’s item.