.jpg?w=1)
Lot Essay
Within the family of complicated Rolex wristwatches, the triple calendar chronograph model in the well-known oyster case takes a particularly prominent position. Known amongst collectors as the Jean-Claude Killy, it has been in production for a period of more than 20 years and has been cased in stainless steel, yellow gold, and pink gold. Since the introduction of this model during the second half of the 1940's, it has regularly been modernized until it reached its final form as the reference 6236, easily recognizable by the larger, more prominent bezel, which was clipped onto the main body of the case.
The present stainless steel example of this landmark reference must be considered one of the best preserved specimens of this model to come to the market in years. It is blessed with a superb two tone dial, with all the typical features a savvy Rolex collector would expect; the blue date ring features the date of the month, and as one would expect for this very late example, the "six" and "nine" are no longer "open", as with previous generations, but rather closed. Furthermore the typical short hour indexes, highlighted with a luminous dot towards the outside, which has perfectly aged to a warm beige-brown tone, again in absolutely perfect harmony with the luminous material on the hands. The case is stunningly crisp and one may conclude that it has never been polished since new. Furthermore, the finely engraved reference and serial numbers in between the lugs are of extra ordinary crispness. Lastly, the oyster bracelet with its clasp dated 3/59, the third quarter of 1959, seems to be original.
Many collectors of vintage watches are on the hunt for the perfect and all-original example of this favorite model. For scholars and aficionados of fine and complicated vintage Rolex wristwatches, this reference 6236 has been a long sought-after dream which, with the present example, comes true.
Various examples of reference 6236 are described and illustrated in I Cronografi Rolex - La Leggenda, Pucci Papaleo Editore, pp. 408
The present stainless steel example of this landmark reference must be considered one of the best preserved specimens of this model to come to the market in years. It is blessed with a superb two tone dial, with all the typical features a savvy Rolex collector would expect; the blue date ring features the date of the month, and as one would expect for this very late example, the "six" and "nine" are no longer "open", as with previous generations, but rather closed. Furthermore the typical short hour indexes, highlighted with a luminous dot towards the outside, which has perfectly aged to a warm beige-brown tone, again in absolutely perfect harmony with the luminous material on the hands. The case is stunningly crisp and one may conclude that it has never been polished since new. Furthermore, the finely engraved reference and serial numbers in between the lugs are of extra ordinary crispness. Lastly, the oyster bracelet with its clasp dated 3/59, the third quarter of 1959, seems to be original.
Many collectors of vintage watches are on the hunt for the perfect and all-original example of this favorite model. For scholars and aficionados of fine and complicated vintage Rolex wristwatches, this reference 6236 has been a long sought-after dream which, with the present example, comes true.
Various examples of reference 6236 are described and illustrated in I Cronografi Rolex - La Leggenda, Pucci Papaleo Editore, pp. 408