Manufacturer: Rolex Year: Circa 1980 Reference No: 6263 Case No: 6'294'773 Model Name: Cosmograph Daytona "Big Red" Material: Stainless steel Calibre: Manual, cal. 727, 17 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Stainless steel Rolex Oyster bracelet, max length 195mm Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Rolex deployant clasp Dimensions: 37.5mm Diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed Accessories: Accompanied by Rolex guarantee stamped Bandiera & Bedettia, product literature, wallet, presentation box and outer packaging.
Catalogue Essay
Launched in the late 1960s, references 6263 and 6265 replaced the first Oyster Cosmograph model, 6240. 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.
Presented in virtually “New Old Stock” condition, this timepiece is the benchmark for any last generation reference 6263 with a silvered "Big Red" dial. Produced towards the end the model’s manufacture period, it has not been altered since it left the Rolex factory over fourty years ago. The pushers, Oyster Triplock crown and “Big Red” Daytona dial configuration are all characteristics of the manual winding Daytona.
The present watch is a study on how a reference 6263 looked like when it left the factory, giving collectors a frame of reference in terms of scholarship. The silvered dial is in excellent condition, with luminous dots along the outer ring, all of which are present and intact. The luminous dots have aged with warm patina, matching the hands and the dial showcases a slight ivory tone. The present watch is in pristine condition with thick full lugs and original proportions, and the bezel remains intact with minimal signs of ageing. Even the caseback retains its original sticker, bearing the reference number 6263. It is further accompanied by Rolex numbered guarantee stamped Bandiera & Bedetti, product literature, wallet, fitted presentation box and outer packaging.
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.
Ref. 6263 An extremely rare and exceptionally well-preserved stainless steel chronograph wristwatch with "Big Red" dial, case back sticker, bracelet, guarantee and presentation box
Circa 1980 37.5mm Diameter Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed