Manufacturer: Rolex Year: Circa 1971 Reference No: 6264 Movement No: xxxxx Case No: 2'802'743 Model Name: Cosmograph Daytona "Tiffany & Co." Material: 14K yellow gold Calibre: Manual, cal. 727, 17 jewels Bracelet/Strap: 14K yellow gold Rolex Oyster bracelet, max length 210mm Clasp/Buckle: 14K yellow gold Rolex clasp Dimensions: 37.5mm Diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement and clasp signed. Literature: A similar watch with serial number 2'802'738 is prominently displayed in Ultimate Rolex Daytona by Pucci Papaleo, page 6.
Catalogue Essay
Combining one of the scarcest Daytona models – reference 6264, produced for a very short period in the early 1970s, an uncommon 14k yellow gold case, and the extremely sought-after Tiffany & Co. signature, the present watch is amongst the most prestigious, rarest, and hardest to find of all vintage Daytona configurations.
Compared with the predecessor ref. 6241, ref. 6264 features a slightly larger case, the use of the upgraded Rolex caliber 727, bezel with black acrylic insert, and pump pushers. Due to the reference's very short production period, the reference is already one of the rarest Daytona models ever made. Yellow gold models further elevate this rarity, and 14k gold examples such as the present watch are rarely ever seen.
Research suggests that Rolex watches delivered to the United States were cased in 14K yellow gold due to lower import tariffs compared with 18k gold. Considering that the present watch was retailed at Tiffany & Co., this makes perfect sense. Intriguingly enough, this example bearing case no. 2’802’743 is only 5 numbers apart from the only other 14K gold 6264 retailed by Tiffany& Co. sold by Phillips - no. 2’801’738, suggesting these watches might have been part of an extremely restricted singular batch.
The case has been preserved in very good condition, with 14K gold hallmarks, including a squirrel punched under the lug - a subtle piece of “intellectual candy” for the most cerebral collectors. Without a doubt however, the dial is the star of the show. Aesthetically stunning in its configuration, the gold dial with black subsidiary dials superbly complements the black bezel and gold case. The bold Tiffany & Co. signature stands out prominently due its striking contrast with the gold dial as well as the lack of a “Superlative Chronometer Officially Certified” designation at 6 o’clock. The present watch is offered for the first time at public auction, and can certainly be considered a trophy watch for the discerning connoisseur.
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.
Ref. 6264 An incredibly rare, highly important, and superbly attractive 14K yellow gold chronograph wristwatch with champagne dial and bracelet, retailed by Tiffany
Circa 1971 37.5mm Diameter Case, dial, movement and clasp signed.
