Manufacturer: Rolex Year: Circa 1985 Reference No: 6263 Case No: 8'766'793 Model Name: Cosmograph Daytona Material: Stainless steel Calibre: Manual, cal. 727, 17 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Stainless steel Rolex Oyster bracelet, max length 190mm Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Rolex deployant clasp stamped N3 Dimensions: 37.5mm Diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed
Catalogue Essay
Reference 6263 can be arguably considered the most iconic of the manually-wound Daytona models. Launched in the early 1970s and in production until 1987, it is defined by the screw pushers and the bezel with black acrylic insert.
The present specimen is defined by its “Big Red” dial. The final evolution of the manual Daytona dial, it is found on the last specimen of reference 6263 (and its metal-bezel brethren 6265) and is characterized by a very prominent Daytona designation above the 6 o’ clock subsidiary dial in bright red ink.
The present specimen is blessed with a beautiful dial and the condition of the case perfectly matches that of the face: extremely sharp and retaining good proportions throughout.
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.
