Produced from 1962 to 1968, the total production of 6238 Pre Daytona can be estimated at about 2000 watches.
It was the last Rolex chronograph with a tachymeter scale on the dial. In the late 1960s, the Cosmograph 6238 was replaced by the Daytona reference 6239.
It has with a Valjoux 72 manual winding movement. The case is diameter 36 mm and 10 mm thick.
The uniform dial is characteristic of the model as well as its tachymeter scale located directly on the dial, which gives it a simplicity and a particular elegance.
No doubt for economic reasons, it will be placed on the bezel for the Daytona watches that will follow.
It is also the lesser-known "James Bond" model, worn by George LAZENBY, Agent 007 in the 1969 "Serving His Majesty" movie. At the request of the production, the black second hand was replaced by a red second hand.
The 1965 model for sale is perfect.
The specialty of this particular watch is not only the excellent condition, but also the extremely rare dial, which experts call "Gunmetal". The gray hue of the Gunmetal dial is darker and deeper than the silver dial, which is more common with this reference. It is known from several sources that the Gunmetal dial appears in the watches with serial numbers in the 1.2 million range. The serial number of the Pre-Daytona offered here matches this range.
The dial T SWISS T indicates that the indexes and the needles have an application of tritium, for its ability to shine in the dark.
The hands are sticks style. They are conform and the minute hand is at the right length.
Indeed, a controversy remains as to some models with a much longer time hand. It seems hardly conceivable that Rolex could have delivered models with a hand that encroaches on the tachymeter scale.
The hands of the sub-dials is also conform to the model, finer than those of the Daytona watches that will follow.
Extremely chic to wear in all circumstances, this rare watch is like a beautiful 911 Porsche of the Sixties.
