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|title=Rolex Pre-Daytona Chronographs — 1920s–1968 Guide | Rolexopedia
|title=Rolex Pre-Daytona Chronographs — 1920s–1968 Guide | Rolexopedia
|description=Rolex hand-wound chronographs from the early monopushers through the Antimagnetique and Oyster models to the 6238 and 6239.
|description=Rolex hand-wound chronographs from the early monopushers through the Antimagnetique and Oyster models to the 6238 and 6239.
|keywords=Rolex chronograph, Pre-Daytona, 2021, 2023, Antimagnetique, Monoblocco, Barilotto, 2508, 3525, 3668, 3833, 4099, 4500, 4537, 4767, 5034, 6034, 6234, 6238, Valjoux 23, Valjoux 72, vintage Rolex
|keywords=Rolex chronograph, Pre-Daytona, 2021, 2023, 3068, Antimagnetique, Monoblocco, Barilotto, 2508, 3525, 3668, 3833, 4099, 4500, 4537, 4767, 5034, 6034, 6234, 6238, Valjoux 23, Valjoux 72, vintage Rolex
|image=Pre-daytona chronographs vintage poster.webp
|image=Pre-daytona chronographs vintage poster.webp
|image_alt=Rolex pre-Daytona chronograph reference photograph
|image_alt=Rolex pre-Daytona chronograph reference photograph
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</div>
</div>


This guide follows Rolex hand-wound wrist chronographs from the early hinged-case 2021 monopusher, through the non-Oyster 2508 and Oyster 3525, to later tonneau and round Oyster models. The 6238 sits near the Cosmograph 6239 in case size, pump pushers, dial tachymeter and Valjoux 72 movement family. Collectors call it the Pre-Daytona; its production overlaps the 6239.
This guide follows Rolex hand-wound chronographs, from early pocket and wrist monopushers through non-Oyster and Oyster wrist models to the later tonneau and round Oyster chronographs. The 6238 sits near the Cosmograph 6239 in case size, pump pushers, dial tachymeter and Valjoux 72 movement family. Collectors call it the Pre-Daytona; its production overlaps the 6239.






== Early single-button chronographs (1920s–1930s) ==
== Early single-button chronographs (catalogue dates c.1920–c.1950) ==


The 2021 is a large, hinged-case monopusher documented in gold and steel. Auction catalogues date individual examples from the 1920s into the 1930s, and disagree on movement size and the date of the same case. [[Reference:2021|See the reference file for the examples and source records.]]
The 2021 is a large, hinged-case monopusher documented in gold and steel. Auction catalogues date individual examples from the 1920s into the 1930s, and disagree on movement size and the date of the same case. [[Reference:2021|See the reference file for the examples and source records.]]
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| [[Reference:2021|2021]] || 1920s–1930s catalogue estimates; start and end unconfirmed || 39–41mm, round hinged case; gold and steel examples || Manual chronograph; published dimensions and attribution vary || One side-mounted button; white-enamel, silvered and black dials documented
| [[Reference:2021|2021]] || 1920s–1930s catalogue estimates; start and end unconfirmed || 39–41mm, round hinged case; gold and steel examples || Manual chronograph; published dimensions and attribution vary || One side-mounted button; white-enamel, silvered and black dials documented
|-
|-
| 1074 || Christie's dates one model 1074 listing to the 1920s and case no. 25433 as ref. 1074 to the 1930s || 32mm gold cushion case in both catalogue descriptions || The two Christie's entries name no caliber || Crown-operated, two-register monopusher
| 1074 || Christie's dates one model 1074 listing to the 1920s and case no. 25433 as ref. 1074 to the 1930s || 32mm gold cushion case in both catalogue descriptions || Both Christie's listings describe a nickel-plated movement, jewelled to the centre, with a bimetallic balance; neither names a caliber || Crown-operated, two-register monopusher
|-
|-
| [[Reference:2022|2022]] || Catalogue dates mostly in the 1930s; one Bonhams example circa 1947; factory span unconfirmed || 32mm cushion case; silver, steel and yellow gold examples || Manual 17-jewel column-wheel description on one lot; VZ 23 naming does not establish fitment || Crown-operated monopusher; Bonhams documents fixed wire lugs on one gold example
| [[Reference:2022|2022]] || Catalogue dates mostly in the 1930s; one Bonhams example circa 1947; factory span unconfirmed || 32mm cushion case; silver, steel and yellow gold examples || Manual 17-jewel column-wheel description on one lot; VZ 23 naming does not establish fitment || Crown-operated monopusher; Bonhams documents fixed wire lugs on one gold example
|-
| [[Reference:2057|2057]] || Phillips dates case 12'271 c.1938; 2026 transcription dates same case c.1927 || 32mm, 18K yellow-gold cushion case || Manual; 2026 catalogue attributes a 13-ligne Valjoux base, exact caliber unconfirmed || Two-register crown-pusher chronograph; French 30-pulsation dial
|-
| [[Reference:2226|2226]] || Individual catalogue estimates c.1920–c.1940; production span unverified || Round, open-face steel and gold cases, 47–48.2mm || Manual 17-line, 17-jewel movements described on several examples; caliber unconfirmed || Two-register single-button chronograph; catalogues label examples wristwatch or pocket watch
|-
|-
| [[Reference:2303|2303]] || c.1926–c.1936 dated examples; endpoints unconfirmed || 26–30mm round or tonneau, snap-back; steel and gold || Manual lever, 17 jewels in cited examples; caliber not confirmed || Two registers; crown pusher on several examples, case-band pusher on one
| [[Reference:2303|2303]] || c.1926–c.1936 dated examples; endpoints unconfirmed || 26–30mm round or tonneau, snap-back; steel and gold || Manual lever, 17 jewels in cited examples; caliber not confirmed || Two registers; crown pusher on several examples, case-band pusher on one
| [[Reference:3068|3068]] || Individual catalogue dates c.1935–c.1950; production span unconfirmed || 48–49.5mm, open-face gold pocket-watch cases || Manual lever; 16.5 lignes and 17 jewels at Sotheby’s, 17 lignes at Antiquorum; caliber unidentified || Single crown-operated button; pale, black and two-tone rose-sector dials documented
|}
|}


== Antimagnetique era (mid-1930s to late 1940s) ==
== Antimagnetique era (mid-1930s to late 1940s) ==


The earliest references here are non-Oyster chronographs. The 2508 has two registers and two pushers; auction catalogues and specialist literature disagree on its movement and case details. Later references added screw-down Oyster cases and their own documented movement fitments. Rolex’s wartime correspondence and later auction records document sales of 3525 chronographs to Allied prisoners of war; that history belongs to the individual watch and surviving archive.
The early group includes both non-Oyster chronographs and Oyster monopushers. Ref. 2508 has two registers and two pushers; auction catalogues and specialist literature disagree on its movement and case details. Auction records describe ref. 3346 as an Oyster monopusher with a rotating bezel marked to 60, and date individual examples from circa 1937 to circa 1942. The 3525 belongs to the later two-pusher, two-register branch. Rolex’s wartime correspondence and later auction records document sales of 3525 chronographs to Allied prisoners of war; that history belongs to the individual watch and surviving archive.


{| class="wikitable" style="width:100%;"
{| class="wikitable" style="width:100%;"
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|-
|-
| [[Reference:2508|2508]] || c.1935–1947 dated examples; endpoints unconfirmed || 35–38mm round, snap-back, non-Oyster || Movement attribution disputed; see article || Two registers and two pushers; oval/olive and rectangular forms are documented; date and diameter overlap
| [[Reference:2508|2508]] || c.1935–1947 dated examples; endpoints unconfirmed || 35–38mm round, snap-back, non-Oyster || Movement attribution disputed; see article || Two registers and two pushers; oval/olive and rectangular forms are documented; date and diameter overlap
|-
| [[Reference:3346|3346]] || Auction estimates for examples range c.1937–1942; factory span unconfirmed || Steel Oyster case, 31–32mm in auction catalogues; rotating 60-unit bezel || Manual; 10 lignes in the Field Manual and 10½ in auction descriptions; no numbered caliber established || One pusher and central seconds; hold-to-zero action in Christie's and Sotheby's descriptions, with Phillips wording differing; Zerographe and Centregraph names both occur
|-
| [[Reference:3462|3462]] || Individual catalogue dates: 1930s–c.1942; production span unknown || Steel Oyster case; 29–29.5mm in auction descriptions, 32mm in the Field Manual; milled or reeded bezel described || Manual, 10½-ligne in auction records and 10 lignes in the Field Manual; no numbered caliber established || Single pusher and central timing seconds; Centregraph name; dial layouts include Arabic and Roman numerals
|-
|-
| [[Reference:3525|3525]] || 1939–1945 || ~35mm Monoblocco Oyster, screw-down crown and back; pump pushers || Rolex Cal. 13 (Valjoux 23 VZ base) || One of Rolex’s earliest two-pusher Oyster chronographs; earlier Oyster monopushers existed; one-piece upper case (''Monoblocco'' / ''Barilotto''); the WWII POW reference; Corporal Clive James Nutting's Stalag Luft III watch (case 185,983) was documented as sold "gratis" to Nutting in 1943
| [[Reference:3525|3525]] || 1939–1945 || ~35mm Monoblocco Oyster, screw-down crown and back; pump pushers || Rolex Cal. 13 (Valjoux 23 VZ base) || One of Rolex’s earliest two-pusher Oyster chronographs; earlier Oyster monopushers existed; one-piece upper case (''Monoblocco'' / ''Barilotto''); the WWII POW reference; Corporal Clive James Nutting's Stalag Luft III watch (case 185,983) was documented as sold "gratis" to Nutting in 1943
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|-
|-
| Early monopusher (1920s–30s) || Case-specific descriptions vary; no shared caliber assigned || Round, hinged, non-Oyster; 39–41mm examples || One side button || [[Reference:2021|2021]]
| Early monopusher (1920s–30s) || Case-specific descriptions vary; no shared caliber assigned || Round, hinged, non-Oyster; 39–41mm examples || One side button || [[Reference:2021|2021]]
|-
| Open-face single-button chronograph (dated examples c.1920–c.1940) || 17-line, 17-jewel manual movements on several catalogued watches; no numeric caliber identified || Round cases with snap-on backs in several records; 47–48.2mm || Crown-integrated button in Christie's lot || [[Reference:2226|2226]]
|-
|-
| Early compact monopusher (1920s–30s) || 17-jewel lever movement reported; caliber unconfirmed || Round or tonneau, snap-back, non-Oyster; 26–30mm examples || Crown or case-band button || [[Reference:2303|2303]]
| Early compact monopusher (1920s–30s) || 17-jewel lever movement reported; caliber unconfirmed || Round or tonneau, snap-back, non-Oyster; 26–30mm examples || Crown or case-band button || [[Reference:2303|2303]]
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== Why the line matters ==
== Why the line matters ==


Earlier references established the Oyster case, two-register layout and Valjoux-derived chronograph architecture that appear again in the 6238 and 6239. The 6238 and 6239 overlap in published production dates, so “pre-Daytona” describes the 6238’s collector position rather than a clean factory succession. Auction records can document wartime provenance or a particular dial, but estimates and isolated results do not define the whole reference family.
The Oyster monopusher 3346 and two-pusher 3525 preceded later round Oyster chronographs. The cited records do not establish a direct mechanical lineage from the 3346 to the 6238 or 6239. The 6238 and 6239 overlap in published production dates, so “pre-Daytona” describes the 6238’s collector position rather than a clean factory succession. Auction records can document wartime provenance or a particular dial, but estimates and isolated results do not define the whole reference family.


[https://www.phillips.com/detail/rolex/CH080123/99 Phillips, ref. 6034, case 847'307] [https://www.christies.com/lot/rolex-a-fine-and-rare-stainless-steel-6200134/?intObjectID=6200134&lid=3 Christies, ref. 6034, case 907'744]
[https://www.phillips.com/detail/rolex/CH080123/99 Phillips, ref. 6034, case 847'307] [https://www.christies.com/lot/rolex-a-fine-and-rare-stainless-steel-6200134/?intObjectID=6200134&lid=3 Christies, ref. 6034, case 907'744]
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* [[Reference:daytona|Daytona family index]] (Cosmograph line beginning with the 1963 [[Reference:6239|6239]])
* [[Reference:daytona|Daytona family index]] (Cosmograph line beginning with the 1963 [[Reference:6239|6239]])
* [[Reference:2226|2226]] (early open-face single-button chronograph)
* [[Reference:2303|2303]] (early compact monopusher chronograph)
* [[Reference:2303|2303]] (early compact monopusher chronograph)
* Ref. 2023 (early monopusher; no reference article yet)
* Ref. 2023 (early monopusher; no reference article yet)
* [[Reference:3346|3346]] (Oyster monopusher)
* [[Reference:3525|3525]] (wartime Monoblocco chronograph)
* [[Reference:3525|3525]] (wartime Monoblocco chronograph)
* [[Reference:6234|6234]] (round Oyster chronograph)
* [[Reference:6234|6234]] (round Oyster chronograph)
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* [https://www.sothebys.com/en/ Sotheby's — 3525 Monoblocco lot] (2019). Glossy black gilt steel example, case 186,144, c.1942.
* [https://www.sothebys.com/en/ Sotheby's — 3525 Monoblocco lot] (2019). Glossy black gilt steel example, case 186,144, c.1942.
* [https://www.sothebys.com/en/ Sotheby's — 3525 Monoblocco lot] (2020). Silvered dial steel example, case 372,822, c.1945.
* [https://www.sothebys.com/en/ Sotheby's — 3525 Monoblocco lot] (2020). Silvered dial steel example, case 372,822, c.1945.
* [https://www.christies.com/en/lot/lot-5091717 Christie’s, ref. 3462, case 161’501, 2008]
* [https://www.christies.com/en/lot/lot-6079995 Christie’s, ref. 3462, case 161’489, 2017]
* [https://catalog.antiquorum.swiss/en/lots/rolex-lot-140-184 Antiquorum, ref. 3462, lot 184, 1992]
* [https://catalog.antiquorum.swiss/en/lots/rolex-lot-66-71 Antiquorum, ref. 3462, lot 71, 2000]
* [https://www.phillips.com/detail/rolex/116718 Phillips, ref. 3462, Hong Kong Watch Auction: SIX]
* [https://www.phillips.com/auctions/watches Phillips — 3525 Dickins POW lot]. RAF Wing Commander Douglas S. Dickins.
* [https://www.phillips.com/auctions/watches Phillips — 3525 Dickins POW lot]. RAF Wing Commander Douglas S. Dickins.
* [https://www.bonhams.com/auction/11293/lot/164/rolex-an-attractive-pink-gold-and-stainless-steel-chronograph-wristwatchref-3668-circa-1956/ Bonhams — 3668 pink gold and steel chronograph] (17 May 2004). Catalogued "circa 1956"; estimate CHF 40,000.
* [https://www.bonhams.com/auction/11293/lot/164/rolex-an-attractive-pink-gold-and-stainless-steel-chronograph-wristwatchref-3668-circa-1956/ Bonhams — 3668 pink gold and steel chronograph] (17 May 2004). Catalogued "circa 1956"; estimate CHF 40,000.
* [https://alpha-hands.com/ Alpha Hands — 3525 case-number research]. Project recording case-number bands across the 1939–1945 production window.
* [https://alpha-hands.com/ Alpha Hands — 3525 case-number research]. Project recording case-number bands across the 1939–1945 production window.
* [https://www.windvintage.com/ Wind Vintage — 3525 POW research].
* [https://www.windvintage.com/ Wind Vintage — 3525 POW research].
* [https://www.christies.com/en/lot/lot-1817518 Christie's, ref. 2226 case 1004619, London 2000 lot 713]
* [https://www.collectorsquare.com/en/watches/rolex/chronographe-pocket-watch/ref-rolex-2226/lpi Collector Square archive of Antiquorum Geneva 2011 lot 203, case 1004626]
* [https://catalog.antiquorum.swiss/en/lots/rolex-ref-2226-lot-364-504 Antiquorum Geneva 2023 lot 504, case 1005651]
* [https://catalog.antiquorum.swiss/en/lots/rolex-ref-2226-lot-372-10 Antiquorum Geneva 2024 lot 10, case 1004623]


[[Category:Chronograph]]
[[Category:Chronograph]]
[[Category:Daytona]]
[[Category:Daytona]]
[[Category:Family Index]]
[[Category:Family Index]]
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