Rolex - Daytona Ultimatum Geneva Friday, May 11, 2018 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: Circa 1966
    Reference No: 6239 "Mr Brown"
    Case No: 1’463’577
    Model Name: Cosmograph Daytona
    Material: Stainless steel
    Calibre: Manual, cal. 72B, 17 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Leather
    Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Rolex buckle
    Dimensions: 36.5mm diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and buckle signed
    Literature: For a comparable example in literature, please consult Ultimate Rolex Daytona by Pucci Papaleo Editions, pages 148 to 151.

  • Catalogue Essay

    The present watch is an early example of reference 6239. With a 1.4 million serial number, it was released soon after the first series reference 6239. During the beginning of the model's production, Rolex experimented with various dial configurations in order to realize its design blueprint for the Cosmograph Daytona. While earlier reference 6239s featured a small Daytona script below "Rolex Cosmograph", Rolex also introduced a different dial configuration displaying a slightly larger "Daytona" font below the “Cosmograph” inscription. These early dials represent Rolex's ingenuity and willingness to experiment with design composition. It was only much later that Rolex definitively printed the "Daytona" designation above the subsidiary register positioned at 6 o'clock.

    Furthermore, the subsidiary registers have aged to a particularly even and stunning tobacco brown tone, contrasting against the bold and unblemished white graphics.The dial also displays luminous dots that have aged with light patina.

    Apart from these details, the case is also offered in superb condition. With sharp finishes to the top of the lugs and a crisp case back, it’s an incredibly well-preserved tool watch. The bezel, calibrated to 300 units, is correct for early examples, having been kept in excellent condition with all enamel present. Furthermore, the movement bridge is stamped ROW, indicating this watch was made to be exported to the United States of America.

  • 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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5

Ref. 6239 "Mr Brown"
A highly rare and superb stainless steel chronograph wristwatch with silvered dial displaying ‘Jumbo Logo’ graphics and harmonious tobacco ‘tropical’ registers

Circa 1966
36.5mm diameter
Case, dial, movement and buckle signed

Estimate
CHF70,000 - 140,000 

Sold for CHF106,250

Contact Specialist
Tiffany To
Head of Sale
+41 22 317 96 63
tto@phillips.com

Daytona Ultimatum

Geneva Auction 12 May 2018