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Lot Essay
Reference 6239, the very first model of the celebrated "Daytona" series, succeeded reference 6238 and could be found in sales catalogues in Europe as of 1964. It is thought that the model was available in the US already in 1963. Available in stainless steel, 14K and 18K gold, reference 6239 was the firm's first chronograph with the tachometre scale engraved on the bezel and the subsidiary dials printed in a different color than the main dial for better readability. The dials of the early models featured only the designation "Cosmograph", referring to the outer space travels of the early 60s. The "Daytona" was added on later series to mark Rolex's sponsorship of the renowned NASCAR stock car race.
The most noteworthy aspect of this reference 6239 is however its extremely rare dial configuration, omitting the luminous accents and luminous hands normally found on this model. One can only speculate about the reasoning for this special execution, a plausible explanation would certainly be that it was made on request for a client working in a laboratory or research centre where the radioactivity of the luminous material, even if ever so insignificant, may have a negative impact.
For detailed descriptions and illustrations of the dial and bezel variations of reference 6239 see Rolex Daytona - a legend is born by Carlo Pergola, Stefano Mazzariol, Giovanni Dosso, pp. 44 - 61. Different versions of reference 6239 in regard to case material and dial layout are furthermore described and illustrated in I Cronografi Rolex - La Leggenda, Pucci Papaleo Editore, pp. 296-303.
The most noteworthy aspect of this reference 6239 is however its extremely rare dial configuration, omitting the luminous accents and luminous hands normally found on this model. One can only speculate about the reasoning for this special execution, a plausible explanation would certainly be that it was made on request for a client working in a laboratory or research centre where the radioactivity of the luminous material, even if ever so insignificant, may have a negative impact.
For detailed descriptions and illustrations of the dial and bezel variations of reference 6239 see Rolex Daytona - a legend is born by Carlo Pergola, Stefano Mazzariol, Giovanni Dosso, pp. 44 - 61. Different versions of reference 6239 in regard to case material and dial layout are furthermore described and illustrated in I Cronografi Rolex - La Leggenda, Pucci Papaleo Editore, pp. 296-303.