Manufacturer: Rolex Year: 1977 Reference No: 6263 Movement No: 1800 Case No: 5'035'105 Model Name: Oyster Cosmograph Material: 18k yellow gold Calibre: Manual, cal. 727, 17 jewels Bracelet/Strap: 18k yellow gold riveted Rolex Oyster, end links stamped 71, max length 205mm. Clasp/Buckle: Folding deployant clasp Dimensions: 37.5mm. Diameter Signed: Movement, case, dial and bracelet signed Accessories: Rolex Official Chronometer Certification, a valuation from Birks in Canada dated 1977, and original sales receipt confirming the sale of the present watch on August 11, 1977
Catalogue Essay
References 6263 and 6265 were both launched in 1969, replacing the first Oyster Cosmograph model 6240. The yellow gold Rolex Cosmograph Daytona with screw-down pushers was in production for almost 20 years, with roughly 100 pieces made per year.
Fitted with a gold dial and acrylic bezel, the present example 6263 perfectly matches with its case and bracelet. The subsidiary dials have aged beautifully, displaying subtle hints of dark chocolate brown hues while admiring them. The “T-SWISS-T” designation at the lower edge of the dial by 6 o’clock indicates the use of tritium for the hands and luminous hour markers. The present example bearing the serial number 5’035’105 dates to 1977, which is absolutely consistent with the paperwork.
This sporty yet elegant watch is in excellent overall condition, complemented by a gorgeous riveted oyster bracelet. Accompanied by the Rolex guarantee, and the original sales receipt from Birks in Montreal, Canada, this piece is sure to please the discerning collector.
Founded in 1905 England by Hans Wilsdorf and Alfred Davis as Wilsdorf & Davis, it soon became known as the Rolex Watch Company in 1915, moving its headquarters to Geneva in 1919. Like no other company, the success of the wristwatch can be attributed to many of Rolex's innovations that made them one of the most respected and well-known of all luxury brands. These innovations include their famous "Oyster" case — the world's first water resistant and dustproof watch case, invented in 1926 — and their "Perpetual" — the first reliable self-winding movement for wristwatches launched in 1933. They would form the foundation for Rolex's Datejust and Day-Date, respectively introduced in 1945 and 1956, but also importantly for their sports watches, such as the Explorer, Submariner and GMT-Master launched in the mid-1950s.
One of its most famous models is the Cosmograph Daytona. Launched in 1963, these chronographs are without any doubt amongst the most iconic and coveted of all collectible wristwatches. Other key collectible models include their most complicated vintage watches, including references 8171 and 6062 with triple calendar and moon phase, "Jean Claude Killy" triple date chronograph models and the Submariner, including early "big-crown" models and military-issued variants.