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5

Rolex

Ref. 6239 "Mr Brown"

Cosmograph Daytona

A highly rare and superb stainless steel chronograph wristwatch with silvered dial displaying ‘Jumbo Logo’ graphics and harmonious tobacco ‘tropical’ registers

Estimate
CHF70,000 - 140,000
CHF106,250
Lot Details
Manufacturer
Rolex
Year
Circa 1966
Reference No
6239 "Mr Brown"
Case No
1’463’577
Model Name
Cosmograph Daytona
Material
Stainless steel
Calibre
Manual, cal. 72B, 17 jewels
Bracelet/Strap
Leather
Clasp/Buckle
Stainless steel Rolex buckle
Dimensions
36.5mm diameter
Signed
Case, dial, movement and buckle signed
Catalogue Essay
The present watch is an early example of reference 6239. With a 1.4 million serial number, it was released soon after the first series reference 6239. During the beginning of the model's production, Rolex experimented with various dial configurations in order to realize its design blueprint for the Cosmograph Daytona. While earlier reference 6239s featured a small Daytona script below "Rolex Cosmograph", Rolex also introduced a different dial configuration displaying a slightly larger "Daytona" font below the “Cosmograph” inscription. These early dials represent Rolex's ingenuity and willingness to experiment with design composition. It was only much later that Rolex definitively printed the "Daytona" designation above the subsidiary register positioned at 6 o'clock.

Furthermore, the subsidiary registers have aged to a particularly even and stunning tobacco brown tone, contrasting against the bold and unblemished white graphics.The dial also displays luminous dots that have aged with light patina.

Apart from these details, the case is also offered in superb condition. With sharp finishes to the top of the lugs and a crisp case back, it’s an incredibly well-preserved tool watch. The bezel, calibrated to 300 units, is correct for early examples, having been kept in excellent condition with all enamel present. Furthermore, the movement bridge is stamped ROW, indicating this watch was made to be exported to the United States of America.

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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