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theautoinsider · 2 March 2015, 03:12 AM

Hi all,

Posted a while back looking for your help in identifying the 6239 Cosmograph Pre-Daytona (S/N 1,09X,XX) I received as part of my grandfather’s collection. At the suggestion of many here on the forum (and elsewhere), I sent to Bob for service and I’m proud to say it’s back and running beautifully. At his suggestion, we installed a Rolex service crystal for a proper seal, but I still have the original dome crystal.

In speaking with Bob, he referenced in ‘The Ultimate Daytona’ book that this dial was nicknamed “The Priest” and that it was “distinctly rare” among 6239 variants. As I don’t have a copy of the book, can anyone help shed further light on the subject?

edited: I’d like as much info as I can possible get.

Cheers!

cajuntiger · 2 March 2015, 03:51 AM

Stunning

jdmi32 · 2 March 2015, 05:20 AM

I don't know enough about this particular reference to provide any insight but that is one beautiful watch!

PoderEsBueno · 2 March 2015, 07:14 AM

Very nice

watchcrank · 2 March 2015, 09:09 AM

Early one with 72b movement marked. very nice watch. edited

nick c · 2 March 2015, 09:12 AM

Beauty

cajuntiger · 2 March 2015, 02:13 PM

Your 6239 is the first of the "Daytona" models. A pre Daytona refers to the 6238 and previous models which have a solid color dial (w/ matching sub-dials).

Your serial number (S/N 1,09X,XX) dates the watch to 1964…which is the beginning of the 6239 Production…in 1965 they added the name Daytona to the dial. The first 6239 was 1963, so yours is the later dial w/o Daytona.

I'm not sure what Bob was referring to with the term "The Priest" dial...
There are several dial variations on the 6239, one with a line under the word Cosmograph (which is referred to as “underlined”) which is the least common, then there is the version that is referred to as the Paul Newman dial. The later being the most valuable…but this is not what you have.

I think what Bob meant was the Bezel on yours is unique to the earliest versions with the scale reading up to 300. Most only go to 200.

Ive attached an image of my 6262 from 1970…very similar look.

The 6239 and 6262 are nearly identical models physically, the main difference being the 6262 has the later improved movement inside.

Maybe Marcello will come aboard and tell us more about this "Priest"

soundserious · 2 March 2015, 02:20 PM

Aren't you missing the arrow on the tip of your chrono hand?

cajuntiger · 2 March 2015, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by soundserious

Aren't you missing the arrow on the tip of your chrono hand?

oops...just noticed that. Yes this looks like an incorrect service part.

Do you have the before images?
What did Bob replace?

cajuntiger · 2 March 2015, 02:41 PM

Looking at the images again, it appears Bob has replaced the Chrono Sweep with the correct hand. Look closely at the first image. I think the last two images are pre-restore.

sea-dweller · 2 March 2015, 03:53 PM

It's a beauty!

c41006 · 2 March 2015, 03:57 PM

Absolutely gorgeous!

BABKA · 2 March 2015, 05:53 PM

The movement is to die for! With that kind of beauty, a display back should be mandatory!

Vincent65 · 2 March 2015, 06:06 PM

Great watch and photos.

joli160 · 2 March 2015, 07:08 PM

Very nice

mluther · 2 March 2015, 08:43 PM

Stunning piece - Second generation 6239 from '64. Rare dial. Enjoy

gelroy · 3 March 2015, 03:52 AM

from what I can see in the pics it is not "The Priest". Your watch has a white Rolex print and a silver cosmograph print and The Priest features both prints in white. black and white -> priest :-)

Nevertheless a rare and beautiful dial.

But a 1,09xx serial is very early for T-SWISS-T dial. Some would say impossible ;-)

cajuntiger · 3 March 2015, 09:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gelroy

But a 1,09xx serial is very early for T-SWISS-T dial. Some would say impossible ;-)

The T-SWISS-T has hash marks on either side...Ive seen several of these on 6239's from 1964, even earlier sn's...are you suggesting the dial has been changed?

mluther · 3 March 2015, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gelroy

But a 1,09xx serial is very early for T-SWISS-T dial. Some would say impossible ;-)

I would like to hear your thoughts on this too. My research suggests that the SN is within range for the big eye "-T-SWISS-T-" dial (with hash marks either side of the T-SWISS-T).

2 March 2015, 03:12 AM	#1
theautoinsider "TRF" Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Real Name: Ryan Location: NYC Watch: Rolex 6239 Posts: 5	6239 back from service Hi all, Posted a while back looking for your help in identifying the 6239 Cosmograph Pre-Daytona (S/N 1,09X,XX) I received as part of my grandfather’s collection. At the suggestion of many here on the forum (and elsewhere), I sent to Bob for service and I’m proud to say it’s back and running beautifully. At his suggestion, we installed a Rolex service crystal for a proper seal, but I still have the original dome crystal. In speaking with Bob, he referenced in ‘The Ultimate Daytona’ book that this dial was nicknamed “The Priest” and that it was “distinctly rare” among 6239 variants. As I don’t have a copy of the book, can anyone help shed further light on the subject? edited: I’d like as much info as I can possible get. Cheers! Last edited by Tools; 2 March 2015 at 10:29 AM..

2 March 2015, 03:51 AM	#2
cajuntiger 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Real Name: Who Dat Location: USA Watch: 5512 Posts: 1,149	Stunning __________________ @heuerautavia

2 March 2015, 07:14 AM	#4
PoderEsBueno "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Real Name: peb Location: Istanbul Posts: 3,145	Very nice __________________ Instagram• ~ poderes.bueno

2 March 2015, 02:13 PM	#7
cajuntiger 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Real Name: Who Dat Location: USA Watch: 5512 Posts: 1,149	Your 6239 is the first of the "Daytona" models. A pre Daytona refers to the 6238 and previous models which have a solid color dial (w/ matching sub-dials). Your serial number (S/N 1,09X,XX) dates the watch to 1964…which is the beginning of the 6239 Production…in 1965 they added the name Daytona to the dial. The first 6239 was 1963, so yours is the later dial w/o Daytona. I'm not sure what Bob was referring to with the term "The Priest" dial... There are several dial variations on the 6239, one with a line under the word Cosmograph (which is referred to as “underlined”) which is the least common, then there is the version that is referred to as the Paul Newman dial. The later being the most valuable…but this is not what you have. I think what Bob meant was the Bezel on yours is unique to the earliest versions with the scale reading up to 300. Most only go to 200. Ive attached an image of my 6262 from 1970…very similar look. The 6239 and 6262 are nearly identical models physically, the main difference being the 6262 has the later improved movement inside. Maybe Marcello will come aboard and tell us more about this "Priest" Attached Images

2 March 2015, 03:53 PM	#11
sea-dweller "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Real Name: Dennis Location: Bay Area - 925 Posts: 40,018	It's a beauty! __________________ TRF Member #6699 (since September 2007)

2 March 2015, 05:20 AM	#3
jdmi32 "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Real Name: Ky Location: Bay Area, CA Watch: 16570 Posts: 2,362	I don't know enough about this particular reference to provide any insight but that is one beautiful watch!

2 March 2015, 09:09 AM	#5
watchcrank "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Real Name: michael Location: Florida Watch: explorer II cream Posts: 1,664	Early one with 72b movement marked. very nice watch. edited

2 March 2015, 09:12 AM	#6
nick c Banned Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Canada Posts: 26,846	Beauty

2 March 2015, 02:20 PM	#8
soundserious "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: usofmfa Posts: 3,157	Aren't you missing the arrow on the tip of your chrono hand?

2 March 2015, 02:41 PM	#10
cajuntiger 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Real Name: Who Dat Location: USA Watch: 5512 Posts: 1,149	Looking at the images again, it appears Bob has replaced the Chrono Sweep with the correct hand. Look closely at the first image. I think the last two images are pre-restore.

2 March 2015, 03:57 PM	#12
c41006 "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Real Name: Joshua Location: Atlanta Watch: Pelagos Posts: 7,933	Absolutely gorgeous!

2 March 2015, 05:53 PM	#13
BABKA "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Real Name: Steve Gold Location: California Posts: 294	The movement is to die for! With that kind of beauty, a display back should be mandatory!

2 March 2015, 06:06 PM	#14
Vincent65 "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Switzerland Posts: 14,298	Great watch and photos.

2 March 2015, 07:08 PM	#15
joli160 2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: NL Watch: Yachtmaster Posts: 14,762	Very nice __________________ Day Date 18238, Yachtmaster 16622, Deepsea 116660, Submariner 116619, SkyD 326935, DJ 178271, DJ 69158, Yachtmaster 169622, GMT 116713LN, GMT 126711.

2 March 2015, 08:43 PM	#16
mluther "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Real Name: Michael Location: Brussels Watch: aholic Posts: 1,108	Stunning piece - Second generation 6239 from '64. Rare dial. Enjoy __________________ Instagram: michael.luther

3 March 2015, 03:52 AM	#17
gelroy "TRF" Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: London Posts: 31	from what I can see in the pics it is not "The Priest". Your watch has a white Rolex print and a silver cosmograph print and The Priest features both prints in white. black and white -> priest :-) Nevertheless a rare and beautiful dial. But a 1,09xx serial is very early for T-SWISS-T dial. Some would say impossible ;-)

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