The Daytona reference 6265 was introduced to the market in 1969, and ceased production in 1987. While the reference was mainly cased in stainless steel, limited amounts were also cased in 18K or 14K yellow gold. As the Daytona was first and foremost a tool watch for professional drivers, the public mostly looked for the light and resistant steel version; the heavy, flashy, and more delicate gold variation made little sense at the time. Thus, notwithstanding over its nearly two decade production run, it is estimated that no more than 2000 examples were cased in gold.

One of the properties of the Rolex caliber 727 (found on references 6262, 6263, 6264, and 6265) is that it had the potential to be regulated as a chronometer. While, however, steel Daytonas were not certified by COSC, the gold versions, doubtlessly due to their higher prestige, were indeed sent to COSC for certification. Thus, with some very early exceptions, they bear already the script now ubiquitous on all Daytonas: Superlative Chronometer / Officially Certified.

Accompanied by an unusual and attractive 1980s period Rolex presentation box with floral “tapestry” embroidery, as well as a Rolex service card from 2013, this crisply preserved, attractive, and versatile 6265 in 18K yellow gold, paired with champagne dial is a luxurious iteration on the icon known as the Cosmograph Daytona.