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Rolex

Ref. 6263 "The Big Red"

Cosmograph Daytona

A rare and pristine stainless steel chronograph with black dial featuring ‘Big Red’ Daytona designation, warranty and presentation box

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Presented in “New Old Stock” condition, this timepiece is the benchmark for any last generation reference 6263 with a black dial. Produced during the very last years of the model’s manufacture period, it has not been altered since it left the Rolex factory over thirty years ago. The last-generation pushers, Oyster Triplock crown and “Big Red” Daytona dial configuration are all characteristics of the final and definitive manual winding Daytona.

The curved edges of the case, which would have lost definition with the slightest polishing are incredibly impressive. The same can be said about the straight, bold and unidirectional satin finishes on the top of the lugs.Even the bracelet is stamped ‘J1’ for 1985 and fitted with 571 end links that are original to the wristwatch. With no stretching, the links display straight satin finishes, offering the factory specifications of a Rolex Oyster reference 78350 bracelet.

Another point of interest is the case back that displays the Rolex sticker. The inside case back bears no service marks at all. Starting from the 1980s, the case backs of reference 6263 did not display “Patented”, which is apparent on the present example.

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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