Rolex
1964 Rolex Cosmograph Daytona (Ref. 6239) Silver Dial W/ Box & Papers
Rolex first introduced the ref. 6239 Cosmograph in 1963 in steel, 14k, and 18k yellow gold with a design that was solely focused on automobile racing. The Units Per Hour bezel allowed for the tracking and measuring of average speed and lap times making for a truly useful tool for racing drivers in the 20th century. Rolex, being the same marketing powerful house back then as they are today, knew the American market would be their most effective demographic as racing in America was on the rise in the 60s-70s. Effectively, in 1964 the Rolex Cosmograph was branded “Daytona” after the famous race The 24hrs of Daytona. Over the duration of the ref. 6239 and later the 6241, the dial featured numerous small changes and variants with the most notable being the exotic or “Paul Newman” dial until the references ended in 1969.
This 1964 Rolex Cosmograph Daytona ref. 6239 is a time-capsule example of one of the very first versions of the Rolex Daytona. Its overall condition is extremely impressive and is potentially the nicest early Daytona we've had the pleasure of coming across, and let's not forget it is also a complete set with its original box and papers.
Stock # |
RLXDT623964 |
|
Brand | Rolex | |
Style | Daytona | |
Model | 6239 | |
Serial | 10XXXXX | |
Size | Men's | |
Material | Stainless Steel | |
Dial | Silver | |
Millimeters | 36 | |
Strap | Rolex C+I "U.S.A Made" Oyster-Stretch Bracelet |
CASE & BRACELET
This early Daytona case is simply exceptional, with no evidence of being previously polished, the case appears to have only been "sleeve polished" through wear over time as the original dimensions, finishing, and geometry remain fully intact from the factory. The crisp and symmetrical lugs exhibit gentle signs of honest use, but no major elements of wear. The original and early base-300 "Units Per Hour" stainless steel bezel is also believed to have never been polished, the original black factory enamel is still mostly present. The bezel exhibits gentle signs of use throughout. The case retains its original pump pushers. The Rolex C+I "U.S.A. Made" Oyster-Stretch bracelet was sourced with the watch and is stamped "7-70" dating it slightly later than the watch. The bracelet retains 12 links that display no stretch and will fit up to a
DIAL & HANDS
The silver sunburst early Cosmograph dial with matte black sub-dials is in remarkably-impressive condition, with elements of age that are only nominal in nature. The sub-dials exhibit no damage or fading and remain extremely clean. The tritium lume plots have achieved a bright golden-yellow coloration and exhibit no degradation whatsoever, which is extremely rare for dials of this era. The original hands include the extra-long hour hand that is only seen in the first generation of the Daytona, the hands exhibit no degradation under U.V. light inspection and have aged to match the dial perfectly. The white sub-dials hands also remain original to the watch and feature the "slender" running seconds hand that is characteristic of early Daytonas with Valjoux 72B movements.
ACCESSORIES
The watch comes complete with its original green Rolex box and hand-written Rolex guarantee paper, which is original and correct for this era. The watch was recently serviced and is keeping time and operating perfectly, backed by a 1-year warranty on accurate timekeeping.