Introduced in the late 1960s, the reference 6264, along with its companion model, reference 6262, was the last Rolex Daytona model to feature round “pump”-style chronograph pushers. With the release in 1969 of the references 6263 and 6265, Rolex committed to the screw-down pushers for enhanced water resistance. The 6264 is amongst the rarest of all Daytona references with a production span of approximately three years.
One of the rarest variants of the Cosmograph to ever grace the auction market, the present watch is an incredible sight to behold. Sporting a "Cherry Logo" dial, it is one of only a handful of known examples on a reference 6264 with 14K yellow gold case. Most notably, "Daytona" is printed in red above the subsidiary register at 6 o'clock, a feature that was not often seen in the early 1970s. It would only be in the late 1970s onwards that Rolex would add "Daytona"' in red script, and only habitually on their Oyster pusher models such as the reference 6263 and 6265.
Phillips in Association with Bacs & Russo most notably had the pleasure of selling a similar example also cased in 14K yellow gold with a serial number of 2'802'748, meaning it was only seventy digits away from the present timepiece. It is probable that both timepieces were even cased on the same day. Another example can be found in the biblical tome, Ultimate Rolex Daytona by Pucci Papaleo Editore, also with a serial number of 2.802 million, further underscoring the legitimacy of the present timepiece.
The black dial with champagne registers, in immaculate condition, does not have the commonly seen gilt Daytona designation. The red “Daytona” seen on this example is referred to amongst collectors as the “Cherry Logo” Daytona, and has a serial number close to 2.8 million. Extremely rare and highly elegant, the present example has aged beautifully, with pleasing oxidation along the outer case and in between the lugs. The numbers between the lugs are crisp, visible, as is the serial number found between the lugs.
The arrival on the market of the present gem should not be taken lightly or underestimated. Certain collectors may want to wait until another example shows up on the market. However, considering the spectacular condition of the present watch, compounded with its rarity, there will not be another similar example available for years to come.
