Rolex Cosmograph Daytona “Tropical” 6263

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For your consideration is this extremely rare and attractive Rolex Cosmograph Daytona reference 6263 circa 1978.  The Daytona is the hardest Rolex to acquire, by far the most expensive and has a mythical status in the community that captures the imagination. For many collectors, vintage Daytona is seen as the end game. It’s what you collect when you’ve been through everything else and want to start taking your watch collecting/investing very, very seriously. 

First presented in 1970 and manufactured until 1987, the Daytona reference 6263, and its many variants, is what hardcore collectors dream of. This example is presented in honest and original condition with unique patina that sets it apart from the others.

The reference 6263, along with the 6265, was the first waterproof Oyster-cased Rolex Daytona owing to the use of the screw-down crown and pushers. This watch features an Oyster Triplock 700 series winding crown (indicated by the 3 dots below the Rolex logo on the crown) and Mark-3 screw-down push buttons first introduced in the second half of the 1970’s. The black Mark-3 acrylic bezel insert and TROPIC 21 domed plexiglass crystal are in excellent condition and correct for the watch.

The silver tritium dial is in superb condition commensurate with its age and the sub-dials have aged to a beautiful uniform brown “tropical” patina. The sub-dials are slightly sunken in respect to the dial and feature a concentric circular ridges pattern. The baton hands with tritium luminous material are matching and are preserved in excellent condition.

The watch case is preserved in very good condition commensurate with its age showing only light superficial signs of wear. The case has been previously polished but retains an even profile and well-defined contours.

Powering the watch is the manual-wind Valjoux 727 movement, an improved version of the <a href="https://revolutionwatch.com/valjoux-72-a-chronograph-in-a-million/" target="_blank">legendary Valjoux 72 movement</a> referred to by some as the greatest manual-wind chronograph movement ever. The movement beats away at 21,600 vibrations per hour, has Microstella micro-adjustment screws, running-seconds and column-wheel chronograph function with minute/hour counters. Time-tested, reliable, forever repairable and historically significant, just knowing that the Valjoux 727 movement is beating away in the case gives the watch an aura that you just won’t get with modern watches.

The watch has recently been serviced by <a href="https://www.maxswisswatch.com/" target="_blank">Max Schweizer Swiss Watch Service</a> and is accompanied by their certification of authenticity. Accordingly, the watch is in excellent working condition with all functions working perfectly.

The watch is fitted on its original Rolex Oyster 78350-19 solid-link bracelet with 19mm 571 end-links. The bracelet is preserved in excellent condition showing signs of light superficial wear and only extremely light stretch.

The watch comes as a complete set with box and papers. The set includes Rolex warranty papers, Rolex calendar card, wallet, Rolex Oyster booklets, hangtag and inner and outer box. Hailwood Peters can confirm the watch has local provenance, and was owned by a local Sydney businessman for over 40 years.

At 37mm the proportions of the watch are sublime, and the watch is a joy to wear on the wrist. It’s a timepieces that stops collectors in their tracks, and one which will always command the utmost respect from enthusiasts and non-enthusiasts alike due to its timeless good looks.

Without the slightest exaggeration, well-preserved examples of this watch are extremely difficult to find and increasingly so, as more serious collectors pile into the market by the day. This is the ultimate collectors timepiece, and Hailwood Peters is very honoured to be able to present this iconic wristwatch.

he watch has been tested and inspected for performance and is in excellent working condition. Hailwood Peters guarantees the watch for authenticity. Hailwood Peters provides a one-year warranty on the watch.

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