Manufacturer: Rolex Year: Circa 1970 Reference No: 6262 inside caseback stamped 6239 Case No: 2'527'692 Model Name: Cosmograph Daytona "Paul Newman" Material: Stainless steel Calibre: Manual, cal. 727, 17 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Stainless steel Rolex Oyster bracelet, reference 357, max length 185mm Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Rolex deployant clasp Dimensions: 37mm Diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed
Catalogue Essay
At Rolex, 1970 was marked by the launch of two Cosmograph references; the 6262 with a metal bezel and the 6264 with an acrylic bezel. Very similar to the previous generation, these two references were fitted with the upgraded caliber 727. As often in production, the new reference was launched when spare parts from the precedent was still available hence some of the first models produced, like the present one, using a caseback with the previous reference 6239 written inside. Both references were produced for a few years only and were the last Daytona references to be fitted with pump pushers, their screw-pusher counterparts (ref 6263 and 6265) soon overtaking them in popularity.
Thus, reference 6262 represents a very unusual, transitional model with pump pushers and the new caliber 727. Its discontinuation not only represents Rolex’s ability to admit a miscalculation and swiftly correct it, but it furthermore makes it one of the rarest Daytona models, with a production run of 4 short years.
The present example not only encapsulates this historical importance and rarity, but furthermore boosts them to the next level with the addition of an incredibly well-preserved white Paul Newman dial. With its original lumes aged to a charming vanilla tonality and a beautifully well-preserved surface, it is a very attractive example. Exactly what one would expect to find on this 2.5 million serial watch, the dial features a white outer scale with white flat "T Swiss T" designation, an evolution from the previously seen red scales with sing-a-song T Swiss T designation.
A final layer of appeal can be found in the caseback, which is actually stamped “6262”. While this would seem obvious, it was common habit of Rolex to deplete stocks of old casebacks before minting new ones. Thus, it is very common to find 6262 examples with 6239 or 6241 casebacks.
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.