863
Rolex
Ref. 6263
Cosmograph Daytona, “Big Red”
An attractive and extremely rare stainless steel chronograph wristwatch with “1st Place – 1981 Rolex – J.B. Hudson Classic” case back and bracelet
Full-Cataloguing
Extremely rare and irresistibly eye-catching, this particular stainless steel chronograph ref. 6263 with “1st Place – 1981 Rolex – J.B. Hudson Classic” case back, to our best knowledge, appears at public auction for the very first time. The ref. 6263 is arguably one of the most iconic manually wound chronograph wristwatches ever manufactured by Rolex, which was launched together with the ref. 6265 at the beginning of the 1970s. The only major difference which separates the 6263 and the 6265 is the bezel insert.
The present Cosmograph Daytona is, by all means, a supreme grail for serious Daytona enthusiasts. The condition of the watch is excellent as there are no indications of heavy wear. For Rolex enthusiasts, the present lot is a highly collectible and exhilarating specimen as it perfectly represents the spirit of Rolex and what the brand proudly stands for – vigor, victory and vivacity.
Rolex
Swiss | 1905Founded 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.