Mickey Mantle’s 1964 Rolex “Pre-Daytona” (Ref 6238) Chronograph is coming to auction next month at Heritage. (See this link and the attached photo of the engraved caseback). https://sports.ha.com/itm/baseball/1964-new-york-yankees-american-league-championship-rolex-wristwatch-presented-to-mickey-mantle/p/50023-18009.s?ic4=GalleryView-ShortDescription-071515
But there’s more: Mantle, and the whole Yankees ALCS team (!) received the identical 6238 to commemorate their American League Championship. Each watch was engraved and personalized with the player’s name, jut like Mantle’s was.
It is pretty amazing that these were given to the whole team because not too many 6238s were produced. Experts have estimated only about 1,000- 2,000. (I happen to own one just like Mantle’s).
Other of these Championship watches have come to auction before, such as Al Downing’s, which sold at Christie’s in 2011 for CHF 40,000. https://www.christies.com/lotfinder/watches/rolex-a-fine-and-rare-stainless-steel-5493513-details.aspx?intobjectid=5493513
Mantle’s watch looks nice and original (except for the bracelet, which should be rivet style from the period, but is not). I know that the dial is original because the “mile” measure on the tachymeter was used in watches bearing the 1,000,000 series range, and Mantle’s watch is right in that range. The hands appear original, including the sub-dial hands. The sub-seconds dial at 9 o’clock should be thinner than the others and this one is. (That hand is often replaced with an incorrect one). The watches could use a good cleaning.
Well, the 6238 has always been known as the “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service” watch. Perhaps it should really be known as the “Yankees Watch”!