Articles and News

Newport Beach, CA--Bob’s Watches has listed a $150,000 Rolex Pre-Daytona Ref. 6238 with a rare black dial with its original box, papers and direct family provenance.

Purchased new in 1968 and kept in the same family, this piece captures a pivotal moment in Rolex history, according to Bob’s watches. It is the watch that pre-dates the introduction of the Rolex Daytona. Introduced in the early 1960s, the Ref. 6238 laid the groundwork for the Daytona line, bridging the gap between Rolex’s elegant mid-century chronographs and the bold, racing-inspired design that would soon redefine luxury sport watches.

[Rolex Pre-Daytona Ref. 6238 with black dial. Photo credit: Bob's Watches]

This evolution would lead to one of the most remarkable trajectories in modern watch history. The Daytona line has experienced explosive price growth, rising from $8,300 in 2010 to a record $53,911 in March 2022 — a 550%+ increase, according to Bob’s Watches. Even after a 51% correction to $27,642, the market quickly rebounded 43% to nearly $38,000. Despite its volatility, it remains Rolex’s most valuable regular-production model.

[Rolex Pre-Daytona Ref. 6238 with original box, and papers. Photo credit: Bob's Watches]

“The Daytona market defied all logic during 2020–22,” said Paul Altieri, CEO of Bob’s Watches. “Buyers were willing to pay any price for the stainless-steel Cerachrom material models, particularly the Reference 116500.”

Altieri continued, “In that context, this Pre-Daytona Ref. 6238 becomes even more significant — it’s the origin story of the Daytona phenomenon. With its rare black dial, complete documentation, and unbroken provenance, this watch represents the genesis of Rolex’s most storied.”