製造商: Rolex 年份: Circa 1970 型號: 6264 錶殼號碼: 2’372’825, inside caseback stamped C.R.S & 6241 型號名稱: Cosmograph Daytona “Paul Newman” 材料: Stainless steel 機芯: Manual, cal. 727, 17 jewels 錶帶/ 錶鏈: Stainless steel Rolex Oyster bracelet stamped "78350, 19", endlinks stamped "571", max length 185mm 錶扣: Stainless steel Rolex Oyster deployant clasp stamped "V10" 尺寸: 37mm diameter 簽名: Case, dial, movement, bracelet and clasp signed 文學: A similar example reference 6264 is prominently illustrated in Ultimate Rolex Daytona by Pucci Papaleo Editions, pages 308 to 311.
圖錄文章
Regarded by esteemed collectors and scholars as the rarest and most exclusively serially produced Cosmograph Daytona reference, the ref. 6264 was a transitional model released together with the ref. 6262 which was introduced by Rolex in the early 1970s and was only in production for a few years before it was discontinued to make way for the two last references of the manually wound Daytona era, refs. 6263 and 6265.
Aesthetically akin to its previous refs. 6239 and 6241, the refs. 6262 and 6264 were upgraded with the cal. 727. Although the two references were virtually identical, only one distinct feature set them apart. While the ref. 6262 was fitted with a metallic engraved bezel similar to the ref. 6239, the ref. 6264 featured a black plastic bezel insert similar to the ref. 6241. Fusing elements from the past as well as the future, these two references were the last to feature pump pushers. Extremely rare and very scarcely produced out of the regular production of the Cosmograph Daytona, it is estimated that only 1,700 examples of the ref. 6264 were ever made in stainless steel, making examples fitted with the exotic Singer-made "Paul Newman” dials exceedingly rare.
The present timepiece from 1970 with a 2.3 million serial is indeed one of those extremely rare examples. Instantly recognizable due to its art deco style numerals witnessed in the registers against its creamy white backdrop with its “DAYTONA” insignia on a top of the register at 6 o’clock, the eye-catching “Paul Newman” dial further features attractive luminous plots that have aged uniformly together with the luminous material on its hands. Another notable mention is the 'Panda' "Paul Newman" dial configuration which is almost 'exclusive' to reference 6262 and 6264 and is largely recognized by collectors and scholars. Boasting a fine and voluptuous case with very nice proportions and slightly oval-shaped, the watch also features a highly desirable and original Mark I bezel insert, which is a rare asset on its own.
The present reference 6264 is offered by the family of the original owner, Armand Beressi, who was born in 1921 in Alexandria, Egypt. Growing up, he was an avid car fan and this passion developed into a successful career later in life. When Mr. Beressi moved to Paris in 1949, he opened a garage at 37, Avenue de la Porte de Villiers in Neuilly sur Seine next to Paris. With his associate the car mechanic Francis Mortarini, they ran “Le Haras des Purs Sang de l’Automobile” (The Haras of Pure Bred Automobiles) from the 1950s to the early 1960s. During his years in the collectable car business, Mr. Beressi sold many rare and impressive cars which included many models of Bugatti such as Type 35, Type 57 cabriolet, Type 57 Atalantes, and many more other brands, some of which are today in prestigious museums in America. Mr. Beressi moved away from the car business in the ’50s and subsequently developed a long and successful profession in publishing.
Although Mr. Beressi was no longer in the automobile business, his passion for speed and alacrity remained and was the owner of many beautiful cars including a beloved Ferrari. The present Rolex Daytona wristwatch was the perfect expression of Mr Beressi’s passion for the car racing world where he participated in amateur car rallies as well as avidly attended the annual races of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Mr. Beressi wore his Daytona faithfully till his passing in 1979. The watch remained under the care of his family to this day. Preserved in attractive overall condition over the years and appearing in auction for the first time, this much-treasured Ref. 6264 is a scarce combination of a solid provenance with a highly desirable exotic ‘Paul Newman’ dial. The present timepiece would be a monumental addition to any collection of fine vintage timepieces.
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.
