Rolex Oyster Chronograph Ref. 6034 - 'Pre-Daytona'
The Rolex Daytona has long been one of the most desirable chronographs in production, which is funny for a model that was initially off to a slow sales start!
…but this comes before all of that!
Appropriately named, this is a ‘Pre-Daytona’. The chronograph model that was made in the early years of Rolex - and went unnamed! The model does share a few things however, one of them being the manually wound movement. Each variant was based on the iconic Valjoux 72 ebauche.
These watches have incredible aesthetics with multi-scale and multi-color dials. The present Ref. 6034 dates to 1953 - 10 years before the Daytona name would formally grace the flagship sporting model from Rolex.
The example that we have here features a strong case housing a three-color dial has all the wonderful aging and character that we would expect from an original radium dial of the era. The luminous 'sword' hands have developed a gorgeous, even patina that matches that of the dial, which has applied indices and both tachymeter and telemeter scales. This piece comes fitted to a period 'stretch-rivet' Oyster bracelet with a signed blade clasp.
This is a connoisseurs watch and is ready for those who want to take a deeper cut into the Rolex catalog.
Movement:
Modified Valjoux 72 manual-winding caliber by Rolex
Bracelet/Strap:
Correct Rolex stainless steel 'stretch-rivet' Oyster bracelet with signed blade clasp stamped '1-55' (circa 1955). Matches case condition and is tight.
