Rolex - The Geneva Watch Auction: XIV Geneva Friday, November 5, 2021 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: Circa 1979
    Reference No: 6265
    Case No: 6'047'669 inside case back stamped 6263
    Model Name: Cosmograph Daytona "Big Red"
    Material: Stainless Steel
    Calibre: Manual, cal. 727, 17 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Stainless steel Rolex Oyster bracelet, end links stamped 571, max length 195mm.
    Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Rolex deployant clasp ref. 78350
    Dimensions: 37mm Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by Rolex fitted box, product literature and outer packaging

  • Catalogue Essay

    Certain watches have with time come to represent a horological genre and the Rolex Daytona represents the sports chronograph category like no other.

    Launched in the late 1960s, references 6263 and 6265 replaced the first Oyster Cosmograph model 6240 and ceased production in the late 1980s. In fact these models were the last manually wound Daytona models.

    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. 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 stainless steel version also came in two different dial configurations, either silver with black subcounters or black with silver subcounters.

    The present example from circa 1979 is preserved in excellent condition with a strong case, thick lugs, crisp reference and serial numbers between the lugs. The black matte dial with strong red Daytona print is also in excellent condition with well preserved luminous markers.

  • Artist Biography

    Rolex

    Swiss • 1905

    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.

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Ref. 6265
A very attractive and well preserved stainless steel chronograph wristwatch with bracelet and box

Circa 1979
37mm Diameter
Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed

Estimate
CHF35,000 - 55,000 
€32,700-51,400
$38,100-59,800

Sold for CHF81,900

Contact Specialist

Alexandre Ghotbi
Head of Watches, Continental Europe and the Middle East Director
AGhotbi@phillips.com

The Geneva Watch Auction: XIV

Geneva Auction 5 & 7 November 2021