Manufacturer: Rolex Year: Circa 1965 Reference No: 6240, inside caseback stamped "6239" Case No: 1'269'479 Model Name: Cosmograph Daytona Material: Stainless steel Calibre: Manual, cal. 722, 17 jewels, stamped "ROW" Bracelet/Strap: Leather Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Rolex pin buckle Dimensions: 37.5mm Diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement and buckle signed
Catalogue Essay
Launched in 1965, reference 6240 is one of the most landmark models in all of Rolex history. For the first time, the Daytona case is granted screw-down pushers becoming thus an official “Oyster” case, an incarnation which arrived mostly unchanged to modern times.
Manufactured exclusively in stainless steel, the reference featured a bezel with black acrylic insert rather than the metal bezel found on its contemporary pump-pusher brethren ref. 6239. A 'foundational' watch for all intents and purposes, the model remained in production for only 4 years before evolving into the reference 6263 (and 6265).
The present piece represents one of the earliest examples of the reference, bearing a 1.2M serial number. As expected from such an early watch, it features a 722 calibre (which will soon be upgraded to 722-1). As sometimes and curiously seen on ref. 6240, the watch remarkably omits from the dial its most distinctive feature: the Oyster designation. It rather sports a “Small Daytona” dial reading Rolex/Cosmograph/Daytona, preserved in absolutely excellent condition.
True to its “foundational model vocation”, several different dial configurations can be found on the reference, especially in its early production: with and without the “Oyster” designation, “solo Rolex” dials, a two-liner dial is known… It is only with references 6263/6265 that the “Oyster” designation will become a staple of the Daytona dial.
Of particular interest to the collector, the watch features the correct first generation “Millerighe” brass pushers, furthermore perfectly preserved and presenting no peeling to the chrome plating which is often found on these pieces. The fact that the Millerighe pushers are coupled with an equally well-preserved MK1 bezel is the cherry on this superb horological cake.
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.