Rolex - The Hong Kong Watch Auction: XI Hong Kong Saturday, November 28, 2020 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: Circa 1980
    Reference No: 6263, repeated inside caseback
    Case No: 6’412’602
    Model Name: Cosmograph Daytona “Big Red” “Tiffany & Co.”
    Material: Stainless steel
    Calibre: Manual, cal. 727, 17 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Stainless steel Rolex Oyster bracelet stamped “78350,19”, endlinks stamped “571”, max length 200mm
    Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Rolex Oyster deployant clasp stamped “I4”
    Dimensions: 37.5mm diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement, bracelet and clasp signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by Tiffany & Co. Archives Research Certificate confirming the case number and reference, a letter from Tiffany & Co. confirming that it was retailed by the firm in 1989, Tiffany & Co. Appendix document, extra gasket, Rolex outer packaging and fitted presentation box.

  • Catalogue Essay

    In the early 1960s, Rolex introduced a chronograph wristwatch that would eventually become a global sensation, the Rolex Cosmograph Daytona. The first reference to bear the iconic model name was the ref. 6239 with a 36.5mm diameter stainless steel Oyster screw-down case with pump pushers and powered by the Rolex cal. 722 modified from the famous Valjoux cal. 72. Regarded as a major breakthrough from its previous references, the Rolex Cosmograph Daytona was the first to feature a tachymeter on the bezel instead of traditionally printing it on the outer track of the dial to increase visibility.

    Towards the beginning of the 1970s, Rolex introduced the refs. 6263 & 6265 each with distinct and important upgrades that would eventually be featured in future Daytona models. Featuring a new cal. 727, the most significant factor is the fact that the cal. 727 is an officially certified superlative chronometer movement. The ref. 6263 features the black bezel insert while the ref. 6265 were fitted with metallic bezels. However, the most significant upgrade were the screw-down pushers differing from its previous pump pushers. The screw-down pushers allowed for enhanced waterproof capabilities as well as acting as a safety lock. The refs. 6263 & 6265 were officially discontinued in 1987 ending a respective era for the manually-wound Daytona and made way for the new self-winding ref. 16520.

    The present example ref. 6263 with a 6.4 million case number from circa 1980 is presented in excellent overall condition. Boasting a nice case, the dial takes the rarity of the present timepiece to a whole new level as it is stamped “Tiffany & Co.” under “Cosmograph” signifying that it was retailed by Tiffany & Co. Furthermore, it is presented with a Tiffany & Co. Archives Research Certificate confirming the case number and reference as well as a letter indicating that the Archives suggests that the present timepiece was indeed recorded in their archives and was retailed by the firm in 1989.

  • Artist Biography

    Rolex

    Swiss • 1905

    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.

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855

Ref. 6263, repeated inside caseback
A highly impressive and rare stainless steel chronograph wristwatch with presentation box, retailed by Tiffany & Co.

Circa 1980
37.5mm diameter
Case, dial, movement, bracelet and clasp signed

Estimate
HK$620,000 - 1,200,000 
€66,800-129,000
$79,500-154,000

Sold for HK$1,386,000

Contact Specialist

Thomas Perazzi

Head of Watches, Asia
+852 2318 2001

WatchesHK@phillips.com

The Hong Kong Watch Auction: XI

Hong Kong Auction 29 November 2020