Manufacturer: Rolex Year: 1966 Reference No: 6240 Case No: 1’438’971 Model Name: “Oyster Alpina” Material: Stainless steel Calibre: Manual, cal. Valjoux 72B, 17 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Stainless steel Rolex riveted bracelet, stamped 7205, 200mm max length, end links stamped 71 Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel folding deployant clasp, stamped 4.66 Dimensions: 37.5mm diameter Signed: Case, dial and movement signed Literature: This example is prominently illustrated in the Ultimate Rolex Daytona, Pucci Papaleo Editore, pg. 328-331.
Catalogue Essay
In 1965, the Rolex Cosmograph Daytona family grew as a new model was added: reference 6240. Manufactured exclusively in stainless steel, the 6240 introduced an acrylic bezel for the tachometer, and was equipped with new, screw-down chronograph pushers to provide improved water resistance. Only in production until 1969, it’s believed roughly only 1,700 examples of the 6240 were produced.
Referred to as the “Oyster Alpina” by collectors, this lot is an exceptional example due to a subtle, yet highly important detail found on the dial at 12 o’clock. Upon first glance, the observer will notice many similarities to that of the better-known “Oyster Sotto Paul Newman”. Both of these rare variants feature the word “Oyster” on the dial, underneath the “Rolex Cosmograph” designation.
As this watch aged beautifully over time, its charm and uniqueness can be found in subtle variations to the dial. Fitted on the well-preserved case are the original, and early nickel-plated “millerighe” pushers, meaning a thousand lines, that further enhances this watch’s beauty and desirability.
Interestingly, less than ten of the so-called Oyster Alpina’s are known to be in existence, making this configuration rarer than even the beloved “Oyster Sotto Paul Newman”. The present lot is a trophy watch worthy of crowning the world’s most important collections of Rolex watches.
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.