Rolex

DrStrong
[Rolex Moderator]
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A Review of the pre-Daytona ref. 6238

Some of you know how much I like vintage Rolex chronographs; they are probably my favourite watches. I love their look, their size – perfect for my wrist – and their history. I have just added to my collection a very desirable pre-Daytona and I want to share with some informations about this watch.

The Rolex chronograph ref. 6238 was produced from the early 1960’s to 1967. It has a more modern look than the previous chronographs issued by the brand, but still carries the inner tachymetric scale and outside smooth bezel that are typical of the 1950’s.

It is often referred to as “pre Daytona”, as it somewhat a transition from the classical chronographs to the Daytona that was issued in 1963. By the way, both references will coexist for some years in the Rolex catalogue, as we can see on this picture:

At the beginning of the production, the watch still featured the “classic” dial and hands of reference 6034/6234. Later on, it was fitted for a short time with the type of two color dial that will be used by Rolex on the Daytona some years later. At the end of 1963, the watch finally appeared with a new monochromatic silver or black dial that will be used until the end of the production (with minor variations though).

Concerning the case, it is the new 36mm Oyster case that will be used again on the 6239 with the same pushers, crown and plexi:

The movement is the Valjoux cal. 72B – identical to the 72A but with a microstella regulation. It will be renamed cal. 722 in 1965.

(Photo: A .Shear)

My watch has a 1.2 mil serial number, so it was produced circa 1965. It features the silver dial that gives this chronograph a lot of class IMHO.

It was originally sold with a 19mm riveted bracelet, but I prefer to wear it on a strap as the silver dial allows a lot of combos:

My watch has a caseback engraving showing that it was delivered to the Peruvian Airforce (Fuerza Aerea del Peru).

From what we know, around 1000 watches were delivered to the FAP between the early 1960’s and the early 1980’s; they were mostly chronographs, but also some 1675’s and 1680’s.

These watches feature an issue number engraved very lightly on the caseback, most of the time it’s worn off now. The serial number – or the three last digits for the earliest watches - is also engraved inside the caseback, with the same tool as the engraving between the lugs. To my knowledge, all the 6238 delivered to the FAP are in the same serial number batch.

It is remarkable that my watch came out of the FAP with a tachymetric steel bezel. This 6239 bezel was probably fitted in the late 1960’s, as it is easier to read than the scale printed on the dial. In any case, it gives the watch an unusual “6239 albino” look that I find quite attractive and really special !!

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