Rolex - The Geneva Watch Auction: XVI Geneva Saturday, November 5, 2022 | Phillips
  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: Circa 1971
    Reference No: 6262 inside caseback stamped 6262
    Case No: 2'737'298
    Model Name: Cosmograph Daytona "Paul Newman"
    Material: Stainless steel
    Calibre: Manual, cal. 727, 17 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Stainless steel Rolex Oyster bracelet stamped "571" and "78350 19" to the endlinks, max length 190mm
    Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Rolex deployant clasp stamped "DE6 78350"
    Dimensions: 36.5mm Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed

  • Catalogue Essay

    Reference 6262 - and its acrylic bezel counterpart 6264 - has a very interesting place in the history and evolution of the Cosmograph Daytona. It replaced reference 6239 in 1969 (and similarly ref. 6264 replaced ref. 6241), the main difference being the new caliber 727 while the aesthetics of the watch remains practically unchanged, featuring a non-Oyster case with pump pushers.

    A proper Oyster case with screw-down pushers had been introduced in 1965 with ref. 6240, but the original response of the market was less than enthusiastic. So much so that when reference 6240 was discontinued in 1969 alongside ref. 6239 and 6241, no upgraded caliber version was offered, and the only Daytona models left in the catalogue were the non-Oyster versions 6262 and 6264.

    Around those very years, however, the waterproof capabilities of the Oyster case were apparently finally being recognised which is, most likely, what prompted Rolex to “make a 180°” and, in 1972, discontinue completely the pump-pusher references 6262/6264 while introducing the Oyster case references 6263/6265 - which would remain in production until the late 1980s.

    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 flawless surface, it has the power to entrance the most seasoned of the collectors. Exactly what one would expect to find on this 2.7M 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. Given the short production run of the reference, casebacks stamped 6262 are comparatively rare, and a treat for the true connoisseur.

  • 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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Ref. 6262 inside caseback stamped 6262
An iconic, collectible and highly sought-after stainless steel chronograph wristwatch with "Paul Newman" dial and bracelet

Circa 1971
36.5mm Diameter
Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed

Estimate
CHF120,000 - 240,000 
€124,000-247,000
$120,000-240,000

Sold for CHF239,400

Contact Specialist

Alexandre Ghotbi
Head of Watches, Continental Europe and the Middle East
+41 22 317 81 81
AGhotbi@phillips.com
 

Tiffany To
Head of Sale, Geneva
+41 22 317 96 63
TiffanyTo@phillips.com

The Geneva Watch Auction: XVI

Geneva Auction 5 - 6 November 2022