Manufacturer: Rolex Year: Circa 1978 Reference No: 6263 Movement No: 5022 Case No: 5'529'890 Model Name: Cosmograph Daytona 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 200mm Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Rolex deployant clasp stamped "B" Dimensions: 37.5mm Diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement and clasp signed Accessories: Further accompanied by Rolex USA punched Guaranteed, calendar card for the year 1978, document holder, fitted presentation box and outer packaging
Catalogue Essay
Few timepieces strike a balance between sporty and elegant as perfect as a black dial 6263: the architecture of the Oyster case is by now rooted in the collective imaginary as one of the most powerful and versatile case designs in history (and in fact one can find it in dressy timepieces such as the Daydate as well as in sport’s watches such as the present one), and the addition of the screw pushers renders its look more aggressive. The black dial and bezel however grant the piece a mantle of sobriety and restrain that makes this watch an ideal choice both for the boardroom as well as the clubhouse.
The present example shines even brighter thanks to the beautiful ageing process it underwent, granting it a very subtle ivory patina to the sub registers which further boasts its timeless appeal. Absolutely correct in all of its part - it features MKII pushers and MKIII bezel, as expected from a late 1970s timepiece - it is furthermore complete of its sale accessories. The bracelet is also correct to the piece: ref. 78350 was introduced in 1975, and the clasp stamped “B” identifies it as a 1977 production, perfectly correct for a 1978 watch.
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.