Manufacturer: Rolex Year: Circa 1967 Reference No: 6239 Case No: 1'601'340 Model Name: Cosmograph "Jumbo Logo" Daytona Material: Stainless steel Calibre: Manual, cal. 722-1, 17 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Stainless steel Rolex Oyster bracelet, reference 7205, end links stamped 57, max length 180mm. Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Rolex folding deployant clasp stamped 1.67 Dimensions: 36.5mm. Diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed Accessories: Accompanied by Rolex fitted presentation box.
Catalogue Essay
The present watch, lovingly dubbed the "Jumbo Logo Daytona", is an early example of reference 6239. During the beginning of the model's production, Rolex experimented with various dial configurations in order to realize its design blueprint for the Cosmograph Daytona.
While the very earliest reference 6239s featured a small Daytona signature below the "Rolex Cosmograph" text, Rolex also introduced a different dial which featured a slightly larger "Daytona" text, such as the present watch. These early dials represented Rolex's ingenuity and willingness to experiment with design compositions. It was only much later that Rolex definitively printed the "Daytona" text above the subsidiary register at 6 o'clock.
Apart from this detail, the present watch is preserved in superb condition. Featuring sharp finishes to the top of the lugs, the case is incredibly well preserved for a vintage sports watch. The bezel, calibrated to 300 units, is correct for early examples, having been kept in excellent condition with all enamel present. The dial too is wonderful featuring luminous that has aged with light creamy patina, matching the original hands. The dial has no visible imperfections, allowing the viewer to fully appreciate the "Jumbo Logo Daytona" dial. Even the bracelet is original, stamped for the first quarter of 1967.
Further enhancing the watch is the fitted presentation box.
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.