Manufacturer: Rolex Year: 1966 Reference No: 6240 Case No: 1'439'123 Model Name: Oyster Cosmograph Material: Stainless Steel Calibre: Manual, cal. 722, 17 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Stainless steel Rolex Oyster, max. length 195mm, end links stamped 7835 Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel folding deployant clasp, stamped 2.71 Dimensions: 37mm. Diameter Signed: Dial, case and movement signed
Catalogue Essay
In 1965, the Rolex Cosmograph Daytona family grew as a new model was added, reference 6240. Only in production until 1969, it’s believed there are roughly only 1,700 examples of the 6240 known to have been made.
Only manufactured in stainless steel, Reference 6240 introduced an acrylic bezel for the tachometer, and was equipped with new, nickel-finished reeded screw-down chronograph pushers. Often referred to by collectors as “millerighe”, meaning a thousand lines, the introduction of screw-down pushers permitted greater water resistance for the Daytona product line.
Accordingly, this model is the first Cosmograph Daytona produced by Rolex in which “Oyster” appears on the dial, furthering its sporty feel. As this watch aged beautifully over time, its charm and uniqueness can be found in the slight chocolate-toned color that developed uniformly throughout the dial’s surface.
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.