133
Rolex
Ref. 6239
Cosmograph Daytona “Double Swiss, Underline, Tropical Registers”
A very early, attractive, and well-preserved stainless steel chronograph wristwatch with “tropical” subdials and “double Swiss underline” dial
Full-Cataloguing
• Early example of 6239 with both “double Swiss” and “underline” distinctions
• Beautiful milk chocolate colored tropical subdials
• Early 300 UPH bezel, in overall crisp condition
Every legend has a beginning, and the present example represents the beginning of what is unarguably one of the most legendary and well-known watch models of all times: the Rolex Cosmograph Daytona. Officially launched in 1963, there is no need to detail the evolution of a model which is still today one of the most sought-after sports watches. The present specimen, however, represents the model in its earliest incarnation, with a number of traits that are only found in these first examples which are equally collectible and rare.
Most notably, the dial is a “Double Swiss” grené dial and grants the watch an incredible vintage aesthetic, only found in this early grené finish. The double Swiss designation is a rectification done by Rolex as the first ‘Swiss’ designation was covered by the case when the dial is mounted, thus prompting the company to add an additional clearly visible “Swiss” designation above. Such “Double Swiss” dials can be considered the earliest “standard” dial iteration for the Daytona. The bezel as well represents the earliest iteration - MKI - found in the Cosmograph, most notably including very small hash marks and the ‘275’ designation, which will soon be abandoned in favor of a simple hash mark. The rarity of ‘Double Swiss’ is augmented by an underline - which scholars believe was used to signify a transition from radium to tritium on the dial.
Furthermore, this coveted, early reference 6239 is made even more exceptional with its lovely and hardly ever seen espresso "tropical" subsidiary dials. They have aged uniformly from their standard black to an intense and dark brown tone, providing for an arresting contrast with the white dial.
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.