Manufacturer: Rolex Year: Circa 1977 Reference No: 6265 Movement No: 1725 Case No: 5'035'066 Model Name: Cosmograph Daytona Material: 18K yellow gold Calibre: Manual, cal. 727, 17 jewels Bracelet/Strap: 18K yellow gold Rolex Oyster riveted bracelet Clasp/Buckle: 18K yellow gold Rolex deployant clasp Dimensions: 37.5mm Diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement and clasp signed
Catalogue Essay
When Rolex introduced the Cosmograph Daytona, they had a very clear vision of their target audience: people with active lifestyles, sportsmen, car racers etc. The name itself is an obvious nod to the American capital of car racing - Daytona. With the advent of vintage watch collecting, the gold models were rediscovered as supremely attractive timepieces, as perfectly exemplified by the present example where the sheen of the gold case and the black dial complement each other in opposition, and their scarcity simply boosted the allure and mythical status of these timeless creations.
The present watch is a mid-production example, correctly featuring Mark II pushers, and is offered in very well-preserved condition: while obviously enjoyed, the case still preserves its original proportions and edges, having without a doubt rarely been polished, and has furthermore developed a very attractive layer of oxidation. The dial follows suit, and it is absolutely devoid of any surface mark. Rather, with age it developed an intense patina which further amplifies the vintage vibe of the timepiece.
Cherry on top is the presence of the extremely rare and sought-after riveted bracelet with “71” endlinks, a true collectible on its own.
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.