Important Watches

Important Watches

View full screen - View 1 of Lot 2. ROLEX | REFERENCE 6238 TRANSITIONAL DAYTONA  RETAILED BY TIFFANY & CO.: AN EXTREMELY FINE AND RARE YELLOW GOLD CHRONOGRAPH WRISTWATCH WITH REGISTERS, CIRCA 1967.

Property from the Family of the Original Owner

ROLEX | REFERENCE 6238 TRANSITIONAL DAYTONA RETAILED BY TIFFANY & CO.: AN EXTREMELY FINE AND RARE YELLOW GOLD CHRONOGRAPH WRISTWATCH WITH REGISTERS, CIRCA 1967

Lot Closed

June 24, 04:02 PM GMT

Estimate

150,000 - 250,000 USD

Lot Details

Description

Property from the Family of the Original Owner

ROLEX


REFERENCE 6238 TRANSITIONAL DAYTONA

RETAILED BY TIFFANY & CO.: AN EXTREMELY FINE AND RARE YELLOW GOLD CHRONOGRAPH WRISTWATCH WITH REGISTERS, CIRCA 1967


Dial: gold, with black registers

Caliber: cal. 722 mechanical, 17 jewels with ROW stamped to the bridge

Case:  14k yellow gold, screw down case back

Case number: 1’697’086

Size: diameter 37 mm

Signed: case, dial and movement

Tiffany & Co is undoubtedly the most historic and prestigious luxury retailer in the United States. Established in 1838 by Charles Lewis Tiffany and John Young with a $1,000 loan from Tiffany’s father, the first store was opened in 1838 on Broadway, before later moving to their flagship location on 5th Avenue and being renamed Tiffany and Co. Tiffany & Co’s relationship with watches goes back to their earliest days, and they have reserved their horological partnership to the world’s two most preeminent watch brands, Patek Philippe and Rolex. In the mid 1950’s, Tiffany joined a select group of retailers worldwide given the privilege of printing their logo on the dial of Rolex’s most prestigious models. Throughout most of the time of their relationship, Rolex allowed the retailer to stamp their dials at their 5th Avenue premises and completed by Tiffany watchmakers, not at the Rolex factory in Switzerland. The exact number of Tiffany dialed Rolex’s from this era is unknown, but they are undoubtedly extremely rare, and represent some of the most sought after, desirable and iconic watches to ever come to market. Chronographs first appeared in the Rolex catalog in 1937 utilizing movements from Valjoux. The initial single button two register pieces were soon followed by the now familiar configuration of two buttons and three registers. The first oyster, chronograph was the Ref 5034, followed by the 5035, 6034, 2334, which graduated to the 6238. As so often with Rolex, the differences between references can be almost imperceptible and often seemingly trivial, with many parts interchangeable between these references, but this belies the importance of these collective improvements over time. The arrival of the Ref 6239 and 6241 did however bring significant change; whilst the case remained the same at the 6238, Rolex introduced the use of inverted colors for the chronograph sub dial and the Tachymeter scale (used for measuring distance over time, aka, speed) was moved from the dial on to the watches enlarged bezel, increasing the watches diameter my 1mm, a small changes that made a significant visual difference. The References 6238, 6239 and 6241 (the same as the 6239 except for the replacement of the steel bezel with a black acrylic bezel) were all available from Rolex retailers simultaneously, with reference numbers for the 6238 being seen as late as 1.69m whilst Ref 6239 as early as 923,000 serials and 6241 from 1.5m. The visual appeal of the updated design meant that these later watches sold in significantly higher numbers than the older 6238, and due to the interchangeability of many of the parts, a handful of later Ref 6238 cases were used to produce 6239 and 6241 configured watches, essentially making them ‘transitional’ models.


This particular piece, consigned by the family of the original purchaser, bears the reference number 6238 and has the matching case back stamping of 6238. The 14K stamp and hallmarks remain clear and sharp. During this period, watches such as this in 14K gold were predominantly delivered to the North American market. Due to the restrictive import duty regulations, it was easier and cheaper to import 14K gold than 18K gold and deliveries usually only took place following an advance order. In addition, the balance wheel bridge clearly displays the ‘ROW’ engraving, The Rolex USA’s import mark. The watches still crisp serial number is 1,697,086, dating the watch to circa 1967 whilst it has the visual appearance of a Ref 6241, with black acrylic bezel, two color dial and ‘Daytona’ designation above the register at 6 o’clock. Furthermore, the dial displays the distinctive and unforgettable stamp of its retailer, Tiffany and Co.


The present watch is furthermore fresh to the market and has been found in exceptionally crisp and original condition.