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.
