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Lot Essay
Reference 6236, produced by Rolex from 1958 to 1962, is the final version of the famed datocompax, sporting triple calendar and chronograph - models. Four references were designed over the years: 4767, 5036, 6036 and indeed 6236. Nicknamed Killy after one of its most illustrious wearers - French Olympic Skiing legend Jean-Claude Killy - these models were, and still are, amongst the most complicated watches produced by Rolex.
The latest incarnation of the line, represented by the present specimen, sports a larger bezel, a 3 body case, and design adjustments on the dial.
Unsurprisingly, Killys are often on top of the wish list of Rolex collectors. Considered they were essentially sports models - waterproof and with chrongraph - they were usually intensively used, scratched and consequently polished. Examples in good condition are exceedingly rare. Fortunately for Rolex collectors, the present wristwatch has hardly ever been polished in its life, and retains fully its case proportions.
Not only the dial as well impresses the beholder with its quality and vibrant blue outer date ring, but it furthermore is a rare transitional dial. The majority of 6236s feature sunken baton or mixed baton and square indexes. Full square indexes are featured at times on previous references. Another detail that differentiate later dials from older ones, is the font used for "9" and "6": previous versions have an "open" font - not forming a closed loop. Later versions use the "closed". The presence of open 6 and 9, and of square sunken indexes means that this very early 6236 was probably fitted by Rolex with a readily-available dial designed for the previous reference - using items in stock even though from another reference was quite a common practice at Rolex at the time, as demonstrated by the plethora of Daytona chronographs featuring casebacks inscribed with a non-matching reference number. The historical interest of this watch cannot be underestimated: it is a rare testimony of the evolving design of the Killy line.
The latest incarnation of the line, represented by the present specimen, sports a larger bezel, a 3 body case, and design adjustments on the dial.
Unsurprisingly, Killys are often on top of the wish list of Rolex collectors. Considered they were essentially sports models - waterproof and with chrongraph - they were usually intensively used, scratched and consequently polished. Examples in good condition are exceedingly rare. Fortunately for Rolex collectors, the present wristwatch has hardly ever been polished in its life, and retains fully its case proportions.
Not only the dial as well impresses the beholder with its quality and vibrant blue outer date ring, but it furthermore is a rare transitional dial. The majority of 6236s feature sunken baton or mixed baton and square indexes. Full square indexes are featured at times on previous references. Another detail that differentiate later dials from older ones, is the font used for "9" and "6": previous versions have an "open" font - not forming a closed loop. Later versions use the "closed". The presence of open 6 and 9, and of square sunken indexes means that this very early 6236 was probably fitted by Rolex with a readily-available dial designed for the previous reference - using items in stock even though from another reference was quite a common practice at Rolex at the time, as demonstrated by the plethora of Daytona chronographs featuring casebacks inscribed with a non-matching reference number. The historical interest of this watch cannot be underestimated: it is a rare testimony of the evolving design of the Killy line.