Manufacturer: Rolex Year: Circa 1978 Reference No: 6263 Movement No: 11'957 Case No: 5'427'461 Model Name: Oyster Cosmograph Material: 14K yellow gold Calibre: Manual, cal. 727, 17 jewels Bracelet/Strap: 18K yellow gold Rolex Oyster bracelet, max length 195mm Clasp/Buckle: 18K yellow gold Rolex deployant clasp Dimensions: 37.5mm Diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed Accessories: Accompanied by Rolex service card dated June 15, 2017 and presentation box.
Catalogue Essay
The evolution of the Cosmograph Daytona is legendary. Over its 60-plus year life span, it has become an icon amongst chronographs for its strong masculine case, and classic sporty style. The references 6263 and 6265 were introduced into the market in approximately 1969, as an upgrade to the 6240, the first Daytona to feature screw down pushers.
From the early 1980s and onwards, gold Cosmograph Daytonas 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 "Officially Certified Chronometer" designation was printed on the dial, which we see on the present example.
The present watch, cased in 14K yellow gold was most probably intended for the American market. It is furthermore accompanied by a 18K yellow gold Rolex bracelet from the 1980s.
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.
