Manufacturer: Rolex Year: 1965 Reference No: 6240 Case No: 1'298'396 Model Name:"SOLO" Material: Stainless steel Calibre: Manual, 722 Bracelet/Strap: Rolex Oyster, end links stamped 57 Clasp/Buckle: Folding deployant clasp, stamped 4.67 Dimensions: 37mm. Diameter Signed:Case, dial and movement signed Literature: For another example of a reference 6240 "Solo", please see Ultimate Rolex Daytona by Pucci Papeleo, pages 320 to 324
Catalogue Essay
Reference 6240 was the first substantially new addition to the Cosmograph Daytona family, featuring screw down pushers. In production for only a few years scholars estimate that no more than only 1700 examples were produced, exclusively in stainless steel and fitted with the newly introduced black acrylic bezel. The rarest variant of reference 6240 is the so called “Solo”, only featuring the Rolex signature while omitting the Oyster Cosmograph designation generally found on this model. The first generation of Oyster Cosmographs are very sought after collector’s watches as they are a true milestone in the history of Rolex’s famous chronograph. The patented screw down pushers of reference 6240 are made of nickel plated brass and are named by collectors “millerighe” (1000 lines) thanks to there more subtle reeding compared to later generations.The present watch is a stunning example of the very early production run, highlighted by the standalone “Rolex” printed on the dial at a much lower position than those examples featuring also Oyster Cosmograph. According to Rolex scholars, less than a handful of these watches have been recorded during nearly 35 years of auctions.
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.