Manufacturer: Rolex Year: Circa 1978 Reference No: 6263 Case No: 5'503'654 Model Name: Oyster Cosmograph Daytona, "Big Red" Material: Stainless steel Calibre: Manual, cal. 727, 17 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Stainless steel Rolex Oyster bracelet, stamped 78350 and 19, max overall length 190mm. Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Rolex deployant clasp, stamped 78350 F Dimensions: 37.5mm Diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed
Catalogue Essay
Today, the reference 6263 is considered one of the most desirable of the Daytona’s, known for it classic aesthetic, legibility, and comfort. Produced for almost 20 years, it was offered in both stainless steel and gold, and featured a sporty acrylic bezel with tachometer.
The present example is affectionately known as “Big Red” due to the red “Daytona” designation over the 12-hour subsidiary dial at the 6 o’clock. The watch has a superb and daring appeal for the late 1960s with the dark dial highlighted by the white subsidiary dials and red signature. In excellent overall condition, the watch has been minimally polished and retains strong proportions and crispness.
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.