ROLEX - Lot 119
ROLEX Daytona Known as "Paul Newman Art.-No. 6262 No. 2548189 Circa 1970 Steel bracelet chronograph Case: round, screw-down crown and back, steel bezel with tachymeter scale, signed Dial: white with dot indexes and luminescent hands, three black counters for 12-hour, 30-minute and seconds indications, red railroad minute track on black background with 1/5 second graduation, signed Movement: mechanical with manual winding, adjusted 3 positions, 17 jewels, calibre 727, signed Bracelet / Clasp : Vintage steel Oyster with folding clasp, signed Diameter: 37 mm Wrist circumference: approx. 18 cm With: Rolex case and box, an additional booklet "Your Rolex Oyster" and a Rolex red imitation wax tag. Provenance: this watch has been on the market since its last appearance at the Antiquorum auction in Geneva on October 11, 2003, when it was acquired by the current owner. REFERENCE 6262 In 1970, Rolex introduced two so-called "transition" references: the 6262 and the 6264. Very similar to the previous generation, these two references were equipped with the new caliber for the hand-wound mechanical movement. The two references were only produced for a few years and were the last Daytona references to be equipped with smooth pump pushers, as their counterparts with screwed pushers quickly surpassed them in popularity under the mythical reference 6263. The Rolex Daytona reference 6262 is one of the rarest and most sought-after vintage chronographs, produced briefly between 1970 and 1971, arguably the shortest production period in the history of the Daytona since its birth in 1963, it is rare to find a specimen like our example from the first series produced in 1970. This reference 6262 is distinguished by its transitional characteristics, linking both earlier Daytona designs and later innovations. Key features: - Production period: circa 1970-1971. - Case: 37 mm stainless steel with pump pushers and screw-down crown. - Bezel: fixed metal bezel engraved with a tachometric scale. - Movement: Valjoux 727 hand-wound, operating at 21,600 vibrations per hour, offering greater precision than its predecessors. - Dial: available in a variety of configurations, including the coveted exotic "Paul Newman" dials, characterized by contrasting sub-dials and distinctive typography that the Rolex brand called "exotic" in their catalog at the time. - Bracelet: usually associated with an Oyster bracelet with three flat links. Historical context: Reference 6262 succeeded reference 6239, retaining the pump pushers but introducing the improved Valjoux 727 movement. Its limited production contributes to its rarity and appeal to collectors. The model was soon replaced by references with screwed pushers, improving water-resistance, under the mythical reference 6263. Condition report on request.
