Manufacturer: Rolex Year: 1981 Reference No: 6263 Case No: 6’608’182 Model Name: Oyster Cosmograph Daytona "Big Red" Material: Stainless steel Calibre: Manual, cal. 727, 17 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Stainless steel Rolex Oyster bracelet, reference 73350, end links stamped 571, max length 190mm Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Rolex deployant clasp, stamped 78350 G Dimensions: 37.5mm Diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed
Catalogue Essay
Today, Rolex’s Daytona chronograph is one of the most sought after vintage watches available to collectors, and within this rarified group the reference 6263 “Big Red” is one of the most desirable. Introduced in 1969, along with its companion the reference 6265, the pair replaced the first “Oyster” chronograph, the reference 6240. Both models had a clean modern line, with a slightly larger case and featured the now famous screw down pushers. The 6263 sported a black acrylic bezel insert, while the 6265 came equipped with an engraved stainless steel insert.
The present example manufactured in 1981 is a variant from the norm, while the case is marked 6263, it features the metallic bezel insert of the 6265. These inserts were easily interchangeable, and it is known that buyers could request a bezel change when the watch was originally purchased. Fresh to the market and being sold by the original owner, this lovely example has a crisp clean case with its original finish perfectly intact as it left the factory. The soleil-finished silver dial is stunning, contrasting nicely with the black subsidiary dials. Whether with acrylic or metallic bezel insert, the 6263 is a sporty chronograph timepiece, and this example will appeal to the most discriminating collectors.
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.