Vintage Pre-Daytona 36mm Stainless Steel

The Rolex Pre-Daytona 6238 represents the holy grail of vintage chronographs—the immediate predecessor to the legendary Cosmograph Daytona. Produced from 1960 to 1967, this 36mm steel beauty established the foundation for what would become Rolex's most famous racing chronograph. The pristine silver dial with applied hour markers and pump pushers creates that perfect vintage racing aesthetic.

Inside, the Valjoux-based chronograph movement with column wheel architecture provides the mechanical foundation that would later power early Daytonas. The three-register layout with subsidiary seconds at 9 o'clock established the configuration that would become iconic. Our experts were particularly impressed by the movement's condition and accurate timekeeping despite its age. The pump pushers offer that distinctive tactile feedback that connects you to the mechanical complexity within.

Buy this used Rolex Pre-Daytona from Master Luxury as a watch-only example. This excellent condition piece represents the missing link in Rolex chronograph evolution, bridging pre-war elegance with the tool watch philosophy that would define the Daytona. As awareness of its historical significance grows, the authentic Rolex 6238 has seen extraordinary appreciation among vintage collectors who recognize its fundamental place in racing chronograph history.