Manufacturer: Rolex Year: circa 1979 Reference No: 6265 caseback stamped 6263 Movement No: 7'638 Case No: 5'953'724 Model Name: Cosmograph Daytona Material: 18K yellow gold Calibre: Manual, cal. 727, 17 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Leather Clasp/Buckle: Gold plated Rolex pin buckle Dimensions: 37mm Diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement and buckle signed Accessories: Accompanied by Rolex International Service Guarantee dated May 26, 2014 and pouch.
Catalogue Essay
Strapped on a slightly tanned wrist, clad in a white linen shirt , a Whiskey Sour in the hand and Miles Davis in the background would be the perfect setting for the present yellow gold Rolex Daytona reference 6265.
Beyond being the most coveted watch on the market today, the present Rolex Daytona is fiercely good looking and impeccably well balanced. The very well preserved yellow gold case features strong proportions and thick lugs, and creates a splendid frame for the black dial with champagne colored subcounters and script.
Reference 6265 was introduced to the market approximately in 1970, and was made until 1987. While the reference was mainly cased in stainless steel, limited amounts were also cased in 18k or 14k yellow gold. Reference 6265 was in production for almost 20 years, yet no more than 2000 examples were cased in gold.
From the late 1970s and onwards, gold examples featured a movement number engraved on the plate behind the balance wheel. Research suggests that this was related to the officially certified chronometer movement. Around this period, Rolex modified the dial layout for gold versions, and the ‘OCC’ designation was printed on the dial.
In overall excellent condition, the present yellow gold Daytona is both elegant and full of panache.
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.