94 Rolex As New Condition and Coming from the Collection of John Goldberger, Pre-Daytona, Wristwatch in Yellow Gold, Reference 6238, With Box and Papers

Estimate: € 150,000 –⁠ 300,000

Sold € 266,500

Model: Pre Daytona
Reference: 6238
Case Material: Yellow Gold
Bracelet Material: Leather Strap
Year: 1964
Movement: Manual
Caliber: 72B
Case N°: 1038616
Dimensions: 37 mm
Signed: Dial, Case and Movement
Accessories: Box and Warranty
Literature: This specific watch is published in Paul White’s Book “I Cronografi da Polso—Preziose Memorie del Passato—Volume II” at page 246

Among collectors, reference 6238 enjoys today growing popularity within the community of Rolex aficionados. Produced from the early 1960 until 1967, the reference 6238 became known as the “Pre-Daytona” because following this model, Rolex removed the tachymeter scale from the dial and added it to the bezel. The “Pre-Daytona” is the first Rolex chronograph to be fitted with the silvered sunburst finished dial, officially referred to as “cadran soleil argenté”, which gave the ideal background for the newly designed hands—for the first time in straight baton form. Quality 6238s are extremely rare to find and the present specimen is certainly one of the most exclusive, attractive and well-preserved examples of reference 6238 to appear on the auction market. First of all, the quality of the watch itself, with a three-body case in yellow gold that shows hardly any signs of wear, retaining its crisp edges, factory finishing, and original proportions. The majority of reference 6238 was cased in stainless steel, less than a tenth of the entire model production in gold, and particularly few watches in 18 karat. The one here offered, despite the incredible condition preserved almost “as new”, is definitely important since its coming directly from the John Goldberger collections whereas been jealously preserved in the last years. Examples of any reference 6238 presented in such excellent condition fitted with such dials have rarely appeared on the market so far, making the present lot a must-have for collectors of vintage Rolex sports watches. The present specimen can definitely be considered as the “Holy Grail” for any true watch collector also for the fact that it still offers its original box and warranty, a detail absolutely appreciated nowadays. Furthermore, this specific watch is published in Paul White’s Book “I Cronografi da Polso - Preziose Memorie del Passato - Volume II” at page 246