Manufacturer: Rolex Year: 1979 Reference No: 6263 Movement No: 7'218 Case No: 5'997'526 Model Name: Cosmograph Daytona Material: 18K yellow gold Calibre: Manual, cal. 727, 17 jewels Bracelet/Strap: 18K yellow gold Rolex riveted Oyster bracelet, end links stamped 57, max overall length Clasp/Buckle: 18k yellow gold Rolex deployant clasp Dimensions: 37mm Diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement and clasp signed
Catalogue Essay
Something of an anomaly, a Rolex Daytona encased in precious metal does not seem logical given the watch’s intended sporting nature; coupled with a higher price tag than the steel variants, the gold models originally did not sell well. Research suggests approximately 100 gold reference 6263s were produced annually over its life span, leading to approximately 2,000 examples believed to have been manufactured. Thus with time, the gold variant of the 6263 and its companion piece, the metal bezel reference 6265, have become highly collectible not only for their rarity, but their diverse visual appeal in contrast to the more abundant stainless steel Daytona.
The present watch, with its robust 18 karat yellow gold case and screw-down pushers, combines both utilitarian form with refined style. This motif continues on the dial, featuring the sporty chronograph layout typical of a Rolex Daytona, but accented by shimmering gold sub dials, text, and outer seconds track. Fitted with a modern service dial by Rolex, the dial is an extremely faithful and virtually identical replacement for the vintage original. The matching gold hands and indices along with the applied gold coronet complement the watch. Its appeal is further accentuated by the matching cream-colored luminous plots and hands all set on the eye-catching black dial. Its striking black on gold configuration, as well as its strong case proportions result in a highly attractive and wearable example for the collector.
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.