88
Rolex
Ref. 6265
Cosmograph Daytona “Die To Drive”
An historically important stainless steel chronograph wristwatch with bracelet and Formula One provenance, from the family of the original owner
- Estimate
- $50,000 - 100,000
- Manufacturer
- Rolex
- Year
- Circa 1972
- Reference No
- 6265
- Case No
- 2’921’378; interior case stamped 6262
- Model Name
- Cosmograph Daytona “Die To Drive”
- Material
- Stainless steel
- Calibre
- Manual, cal. 727, 17 jewels
- Bracelet/Strap
- Stainless steel Rolex Oyster bracelet, reference 78350/19, endlinks stamped 571, max overall length 205mm
- Clasp/Buckle
- Stainless steel Rolex deployant clasp, reference 78350, stamped H
- Dimensions
- 37mm Diameter
- Signed
- Case, dial, movement, and bracelet signed. Caseback engraved “DIE TO DRIVE – RENAULT F1 – J.P.J. 79”
- Accessories
- Accompanied by a signed letter from the son of the original owner, Jean-Pierre Jabouille, detailing its history.
Catalogue Essay
With a case dating to 1972 and fitted with extremely desirable millerighe mark I pushers correct for the serial number, having been purchased by Renault in 1979, the “Big Red” Daytona dial, correct for 1979, was very likely fitted to a “new old stock” watch at the time of sale.
Not only instrumental in the development of the first turbocharged engine used in Formula 1 racing, Jabouille was the first F1 driver to drive a car with a turbocharged engine. In a statement, the Alpine F1 team, formerly known as the Renault F1 team, said: "We are what we are today thanks to Jean-Pierre, and his legacy lives on." Jabouille was considered a pioneer in the sport, and the watch embodies many of his qualities, including his trailblazing spirit, which genuinely reshaped the sport and helped advance the technology of Formula 1 cars to what they are today. As described in the accompanying, letter hand-written by his son,
“I remember vividly the day he told me the story of this watch. It wasn’t just about winning, it was about daring to believe in something revolutionary, about refusing to accept the limits. That spirit, ‘Die to Drive’ is engraved on the case, but it’s also engraved in our family’s legacy.”
Throughout his career, he participated in 50 races and went on to win two Grand Prix: France in 1979 and Austria in 1980. However, at the end of the 1980 season, he suffered an F1 career-ending accident, breaking both of his legs. After a brief break, he returned to motorsport with Peugeot in the world of endurance racing until 1995 before creating his own team, Jabouille-Bouresche Racing, in which he would have an active role until 2004.
Having served as a cherished “trophy” for Jean-Pierre Jabouille and his family, this remarkable and historic Daytona can certainly be considered an ultimate trophy watch for the discerning collector.
CONSIGNED BY THE FAMILY OF THE ORIGINAL OWNER
Rolex
Swiss | 1905Founded 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.