Lot 166
  • 166

Rolex

Estimate
100,000 - 150,000 USD
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Description

  • A RARE STAINLESS STEEL CHRONOGRAPH WRISTWATCH WITH REGISTERS, TACHOMETER AND BRACELET CIRCA 1971 REF 6263/6262 'ALBINO' OYSTER COSMOGRAPH DAYTONA
  • diameter 36mm.
• cal. 727 nickel lever movement, mono-metallic compensation balance, 17 jewels, adjusted to three positions • silvered matte dial, applied baton indexes, three silvered engine-turned subsidiary dials calibrated for constant seconds, 12-hour and 30-minute registers • tonneau water-resistant-type case, screw-down crown and two screw-down chronograph pushers, bezel insert calibrated for 200 units per hour, screw back • case, dial and movement signed • with a stainless steel Rolex Oyster bracelet and deployant clasp

Provenance

Property from the Collection of Eric Clapton, Christie's New York, June 5th, 2003, lot 178, purchased by the present owner.

Condition

The movement is running and chronograph is functioning, however we recommend service soon. The movement is stamped 727. The dial is in very nice condition. There are a few very minor scratches to the left and lower subsidiary dials. The luminescent dots to 3 and 9 o'clock have come off. The dial is very rare and looks wonderful. The case shows general wear with surface scuffs throughout. There are some scratches to the bezel near 9 o'clock. The inside of the back is stamped 6262 and was probably replaced by Rolex during service at some point in the past. The numbers between the lugs are 6263 and 2874334. The bracelet is rather short and is missing some links. It is numbered 78350 and 19 to the buckle and to each end link, as well as 571 to each end piece. This is a very rare watch and in overall very good condition.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. All dimensions in catalogue descriptions are approximate. Condition reports may not specify mechanical replacements or imperfections to the movement, case, dial, pendulum, separate base(s) or dome. Watches in water-resistant cases have been opened to examine movements but no warranties are made that the watches are currently water-resistant. Please note that we do not guarantee the authenticity of any individual component parts, such as wheels, hands, crowns, crystals, screws, bracelets and leather bands, since subsequent repairs and restoration work may have resulted in the replacement of original parts. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue. In particular, please note it is the purchaser's responsibility to comply with any applicable import and export matters, particularly in relation to lots incorporating materials from endangered species.NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

**Please be advised that bands made of materials derived from endangered or otherwise protected species (i.e. alligator and crocodile) are not sold with the watches and are for display purposes only. We reserve the right to remove these bands prior to shipping.

Important Notice regarding importation into the United States of Rolex watches
Sotheby's cannot arrange for the delivery of Rolex watches to the United States because U.S. laws restricts the import of Rolex watches. The buyer or a designated agent may collect the property in the country of sale."

Catalogue Note

During the period that the present watch was produced, in the late 1960s and early 1970s, the standard dial design for a Cosmograph Daytona featured either a black background with lighter-colored subsidiary dials or the inverse with lighter background and black subsidiaries.

The present example is from a little-known and exceptionally rare variation, known as the Albino, in which both the background and subsidiary dials are all in a monochrome silver color.

This design harkens back to the dials of the pre-Daytonas, Ref. 6238, which featured only one color. The present look combines the tonal simplicity of those dials with the more minimal style of the Daytona face, where the tachometer scale is pushed out to the bezel.

Such examples are significantly rarer than Paul Newman models and almost never appear in auction or anywhere in the watch market.

For an example of Ref. 6263, see Skeet, M. and Urul, N., Vintage Rolex Sports Models, p. 117. For an example of a non-Oyster Cosmograph Daytona with Albino dial, see p. 114 of the same text.