Rolex - The Geneva Watch Auction: NINE Geneva Saturday, May 11, 2019 | Phillips
  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: Circa 1984
    Reference No: 6265
    Movement No: 15'251
    Case No: 8'601'276
    Model Name: Cosmograph Daytona
    Material: 18K yellow gold and diamond-set
    Calibre: Manual, cal. 727, 17 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Leather
    Clasp/Buckle: 18K yellow gold Rolex pin buckle
    Dimensions: 37mm Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and buckle signed

  • Catalogue Essay

    This wristwatch is the concrete proof of how much Rolex marketing practices have changed over the past 30 years. The yellow gold case bears the reference 6265 between the lugs, indicating a timepiece with metal bezel and black or champagne dial. However, it is obvious the watch presents very different features and looks exactly the same as reference 6269, save for the reference number. In-depth analysis confirms beyond any doubt that both bezel and dial are authentic Stern creations - the dial stamped to the back with the expected Stern designations - opening speculation on how such a timepiece came to be.

    The most logical explanation is that the original owner had wanted reference 6269, but it was most probably not immediately available at the retailer. Thus, an order was likely placed for a dial and bezel of reference 6269, which were then mounted on a reference 6265, resulting in this “chimera”. While such a practice today would be unthinkable - for example, Rolex would never supply a spare rainbow dial or bezel - at the time it was more than encouraged, as such bejeweled timepieces were difficult to sell, and it is more than plausible that Rolex had a stock of dials and bezels which they realized would be very difficult to deplete.

    With more than a little bit of irony, what at the time was in all likelihood a simple escamotage to achieve the looks of reference 6269 on reference 6265 resulted in the creation of this hybrid timepiece, the likes of which the market has never seen before and it is very unlikely to see again.

  • Artist Biography

    Rolex

    Swiss • 1905

    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.

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Ref. 6265
A stunning, possibly unique and extremely well preserved yellow gold and diamond-set chronograph wristwatch with pavé dial

Circa 1984
37mm Diameter
Case, dial, movement and buckle signed

Estimate
CHF100,000 - 200,000 
€89,100-178,000
$101,000-201,000

Sold for CHF368,750

Contact Specialist
Alexandre Ghotbi
Head of Sale
+ 41 79 637 1724
aghotbi@phillips.com

The Geneva Watch Auction: NINE

Geneva Auction 11-12 May 2019