6238, 'Pre-Daytona' Chronograph, Yellow Gold

The ref. 6238 is the final Pre-Daytona, an unadorned, beautiful chronograph that holds immense charm in contemporary collecting. With its smooth steel bezel, restrained 36mm proportions, and monochromatic dial, the 6238 is utterly discreet. The 6238 was fitted with silver, grey, and black dials. However, in any dial, for every 10 steel 6238 out there, there is but 1 yellow. Most agree gold examples account for less than 10% of production, further segmented between 14k and 18k gold. This is an 18k yellow gold 6238, a true rarity and spectacularly preserved—with known provenance all the way back to its original owner. 

Introduced in 1962, the 6238 focused on clarity and restraint. Eventually deleting the 6234’s overlapping chronograph scales, simplifying the subdials, and switching handsets from dagger to baton, the 6238 created the most contemporary chronograph yet—one which still feels attractive and relevant today. While it might look quite similar to the successor ref. 6239 Daytona, the bezel here was still clean, with the tachymeter on the dial. With only two lines of text at 12 reading simply ‘Rolex Chronograph’, the appeal of the 6238 to Rolex collectors is equally about what Rolex chose to leave off the dial.  

This 6238, though, is amongst the rarest. The high, conservative estimate of total numbers of 6238 examples produced is widely agreed to be 3000 examples, though it could be lower. If we consider the relative scarcity with which we see yellow gold (about 1 in every 10 examples), that’s 300 pieces. With yellow gold being marginally more common in 14 karat than 18, altogether, that’s fewer than ~125 examples in this reference and metal alone. This example is a silver sunburst or technically cadran soleil argent dial, with tritium has aged beautifully to a light honey tone.  

The austere design of the 6238 has an appeal to many collectors. Juxtaposed in precious metal, it is certainly amongst the most subtle and tastefully-proportioned gold Rolex chronographs that have ever been manufactured. The 6238 appears so close to the Daytona in attitude, and yet the small differences in design set it wildly apart from a 6239 on wrist. Interestingly, both were sold concurrently through the mid-60s. And yet, today, 6238 feels just as contemporary with added simplification. A king amongst 6238s, this yellow gold example is an inarguable beauty.  

This 6238 presents in excellent overall condition. The case is remarkable, with full lugs, brushing present, and excellent edges. The example dates to 1966 (1.4M). Inner lug engravings are particularly crisp, with well-defined 18k hallmarks on back. Its dial is unrestored, with honey tritium and an honest light patina. It should be noted there is a minuscule patina on the base of the 5 marker, which is almost invisible to the naked eye (without high-resolution photography or a loupe). Most retailers would clean this, but this is a highly original dial which we believe should be left that way. All printed text is perfectly preserved. It comes on its original 18 karat gold Oyster rivet bracelet, stamped 69 with 71 end links. The calibre Valjoux 722 is running well in specification on our timing equipment. This example first appeared in 2017 from the original owner's family, at which point is was purchased by its current owner who has now entrusted us with it. Max bracelet length is 210mm.

This example is modelled on an average-sized 7-inch wrist.