Rolex - The Geneva Watch Auction: XVIII Geneva Friday, November 3, 2023 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: Circa 1971
    Reference No: 6264
    Case No: 2'802'678
    Model Name: Cosmograph "Cherry Logo"
    Material: 14K yellow gold
    Calibre: Manual, cal. 727, 17 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Alligator Hermès strap
    Clasp/Buckle: Gold plated Hermès buckle
    Dimensions: 37.5mm Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial and movement signed

  • Catalogue Essay

    Introduced in the late 1960s, the reference 6264, along with its companion model, reference 6262, was the last Rolex Daytona model to feature round “pump”-style chronograph pushers. With the release in 1969 of the references 6263 and 6265, Rolex committed to the screw-down pushers for enhanced water resistance. The 6264 is amongst the rarest of all Daytona references with a production span of approximately three years.

    One of the rarest variants of the Cosmograph to ever grace the auction market, the present watch is an incredible sight to behold. Sporting a "Cherry Logo" dial, it is one of only a handful of known examples on a reference 6264 with 14K yellow gold case. Most notably, "Daytona" is printed in red above the subsidiary register at 6 o'clock, a feature that was not often seen in the early 1970s. It would only be in the late 1970s onwards that Rolex would add "Daytona"' in red script, and only habitually on their Oyster pusher models such as the reference 6263 and 6265.

    Phillips in Association with Bacs & Russo most notably had the pleasure of selling a similar example also cased in 14K yellow gold with a serial number of 2'802'748, meaning it was only seventy digits away from the present timepiece. It is probable that both timepieces were even cased on the same day. Another example can be found in the biblical tome, Ultimate Rolex Daytona by Pucci Papaleo Editore, also with a serial number of 2.802 million, further underscoring the legitimacy of the present timepiece.

    The black dial with champagne registers, in immaculate condition, does not have the commonly seen gilt Daytona designation. The red “Daytona” seen on this example is referred to amongst collectors as the “Cherry Logo” Daytona, and has a serial number close to 2.8 million. Extremely rare and highly elegant, the present example has aged beautifully, with pleasing oxidation along the outer case and in between the lugs. The numbers between the lugs are crisp, visible, as is the serial number found between the lugs.

    The arrival on the market of the present gem should not be taken lightly or underestimated. Certain collectors may want to wait until another example shows up on the market. However, considering the spectacular condition of the present watch, compounded with its rarity, there will not be another similar example available for years to come.

  • 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.

    View More Works

Σ17

Ref. 6264
An extremely rare, highly sought-after and very well preserved 14K yellow gold chronograph wristwatch with "Cherry Logo"

Circa 1971
37.5mm Diameter
Case, dial and movement signed

Estimate
CHF180,000 - 360,000 
€187,000-374,000
$198,000-396,000

Sold for CHF685,800

Contact Specialist

Alexandre Ghotbi
Deputy Chairman, Watches, Head of Watches, Europe, and Middle East

+41 79 637 17 24
AGhotbi@phillips.com

Tiffany To
Head of Sale, Geneva

+41 79 460 55 88
TiffanyTo@phillips.com

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The Geneva Watch Auction: XVIII

Geneva Auction 3 - 4 November 2023