Manufacturer: Rolex Year: Circa 1979 Reference No: 6263 Case No: 6'043'589 Model Name: Cosmograph Daytona Material: Stainless steel Calibre: Manual, cal. 727, 17 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Stainless steel Rolex Oyster bracelet, reference 78350, end links stamped 571, max length 200mm Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Rolex deployant clasp Dimensions: 37mm Diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed Accessories: Accompanied by Rolex fitted box Literature: For a similar examples of reference 6263 see Ultimate Rolex Daytona, Pucci Papaleo Editore, pp. 448-451
Catalogue Essay
Rarely has a watch reached such cult status as the Rolex Daytona.
Launched in the late 1960s, references 6263 and 6265 replaced the first Oyster Cosmograph model, reference 6240 and were in production until the late 1980s. Compared to the first generation of the Cosmograph Daytona, the model featured screw down pushers and thus carried the "Oyster" designation on the dial, offering water resistance up to 50 meters. The model was offered in either stainless steel or gold and the movement was also upgraded from a Valjoux 722 movement to the more reliable Valjoux 727 movement. The reference 6263 also featured a bezel with black acrylic insert featuring a tachymeter scale printed in white.
The present Daytona remains in overall very attractive condition, its case maintains sharp edges and thick lugs, the matte black dial is counterbalanced by white subdials, the "Big Red" Daytona signature adding a dash of color.
Originally considered as a “sports” watch, the Daytona reference 6263 is one of those rare timepieces that can be worn on every occasion, with a more casual attire with the metal bracelet or dressed up with a leather strap.
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.