Chronograph ''Pre Daytona''

"Equipped with a rubber and steel strap."
The Rolex reference 6238, often referred to as the "Pre-Daytona," is a historically significant chronograph that bridges the gap between the earlier Rolex chronographs and the now-iconic Daytona series. Produced from the late 1950s to the mid-1960s, the 6238 offers a more understated and dressy design compared to its successors.

It features a 36mm stainless steel case, a smooth polished bezel (unlike the tachymeter bezels of later Daytonas), and a domed acrylic crystal. The dial layout is clean and symmetrical, typically with three sub-dials (small seconds, 30-minute, and 12-hour counters) and thin baton markers. Some versions come with silver, black, or even rare dark gray dials.

Powering the 6238 is the manual-winding Valjoux 72 movement, a robust and reliable caliber that was also used in the early Daytona models. The chronograph pushers are non-screw-down, giving the watch a sleek profile.

What makes the Rolex 6238 especially collectible is its transitional role in Rolex history. It was the last chronograph model before Rolex introduced the Daytona name and external tachymeter bezel in reference 6239. In fact, some early 6238s were worn by notable figures, including George Lazenby as James Bond in On Her Majesty’s Secret Service.

Elegant, rare, and mechanically sound, the Rolex 6238 remains a grail watch for vintage collectors seeking the roots of the Daytona legend.