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Lot Essay
One of the most technically advanced and historically significant vintage watch lines ever created by Rolex is the Dato Compax triple calendar chronograph family. Considering Rolex's already remarkable mid-century production output, scholars estimate that only about 215 examples of the reference 6236 in stainless steel were produced, of which about 55 are currently known to the market.
This model, which combines the brand's signature chronograph design with the elegant triple calendar complication, is the ideal balance of sporty aesthetics and mechanical complexity. The reference 6236, the last and most sophisticated model in the Dato Compax family, is the result of the model's development during the 1940s and 1950s. It is instantly recognizable due to its tonneau-shaped case and intricate dial architecture. In contrast to previous references that were carved from a single block, reference 6236, which was manufactured between 1958 and 1964, introduced a three-part case construction with a larger, more prominent bezel that is separate and snaps onto the main body.
The watch will always be associated with the renowned Olympic skier and fashion icon Jean-Claude Killy, whose longstanding affiliation with Rolex as a board member and brand ambassador gave rise to the Dato Compax's loving nickname.
The current reference 6236 is one of the holy grails of vintage Rolex collecting as it combines extraordinary rarity, historical significance, and technical mastery. It is a watch that embodies the golden age of the manufacturer's quest for mechanical excellence.
This model, which combines the brand's signature chronograph design with the elegant triple calendar complication, is the ideal balance of sporty aesthetics and mechanical complexity. The reference 6236, the last and most sophisticated model in the Dato Compax family, is the result of the model's development during the 1940s and 1950s. It is instantly recognizable due to its tonneau-shaped case and intricate dial architecture. In contrast to previous references that were carved from a single block, reference 6236, which was manufactured between 1958 and 1964, introduced a three-part case construction with a larger, more prominent bezel that is separate and snaps onto the main body.
The watch will always be associated with the renowned Olympic skier and fashion icon Jean-Claude Killy, whose longstanding affiliation with Rolex as a board member and brand ambassador gave rise to the Dato Compax's loving nickname.
The current reference 6236 is one of the holy grails of vintage Rolex collecting as it combines extraordinary rarity, historical significance, and technical mastery. It is a watch that embodies the golden age of the manufacturer's quest for mechanical excellence.