After the great success of the Geneva auctions, the attention of enthusiasts is now shifting to the Rising Sun, with Hong Kong catalyzing the interest of collectors from around the world, particularly those from Asia. Indeed, in recent years, the love of timepieces has continued to grow in this region.

The star of the weekend will be Phillips Auction House, which will hold two major events. The first, scheduled for Nov. 22, will be devoted entirely to Japan. Almost all of the pieces for sale come from Japanese collections or represent creations by independent master watchmakers from the Land of the Rising Sun.

Thanks to the contribution of Masaharu Wada, editor of Hodinkee Japan, today we can dwell on a particularly interesting lot in this upcoming auction. It is a piece that unites Japan and Italy, resulting in a story as curious as it is fascinating.

Lot 78: Rolex 6238 Pre-Daytona

Among the most interesting lots in the upcoming TOKI: Watch Auction Hong Kong stands out a watch that boasts a unique connection to our country, thanks to an extraordinary feature: its engravings.

This is a 1967 Rolex chronograph, reference 6238, also known as“pre-Daytona” for its role in the history of Rolex chronographs, just predating the legendary Daytona still in the catalog today. Made of 14K gold, this example was originally intended for the U.S. market, where an alloy with less gold was used to circumvent high duties on the import of precious metals.

The eye-catching engravings on this Rolex 6238

What makes this watch unique are the engravings that adorn the entire case, the bezel, the sides of the bezel, the case back, the end pieces, and the bracelet clasp. These artistic details were made by then-Italian master Marcello Pedini, famous for his skill in knife making.

The story goes that Japanese collector Mr. Yamanaka discovered this Rolex during an exhibition dedicated to knives. Fascinated by its uniqueness, after long negotiations he managed to purchase it from a dealer, eventually bringing it to Japan.

In particular, the floral engravings decorating the case and bracelet ends stand out, while the case back and clasp feature two extraordinary representations: a woman and a tiger, symbols of strength and beauty.

A unique Rolex 6238 unique in the world of vintage

In recent years there has been a heated debate about the originality of vintage watches, which are often penalized if they are restored or modified in some components, such as the dial. However, this example is an exception, demonstrating how engraving can transform a watch into a unique work of art, capable of telling a timeless story.

The future owner will not only add further history to this timepiece, but also inherit its narrative richness, taking it with them into their daily lives.

Estimation and previous results

This watch has already gone through an auction in 2007 at Christie’s, where it sold for HKD 787,500, approximately EUR 95,500. At the time, that figure far exceeded expectations, placing it well above the valuations of similar references.

For the Hong Kong auction, the current estimate ranges between HKD 240,000 and 400,000 (EUR 28,500-47,500), but given its uniqueness and history, it would not be surprising to see it reach even higher figures.

What about you, what would you have engraved on your watch?

Thanks again to Masaharu Wada, editor of Hodinkee Japan, for valuable input that made this article possible.

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