ROLEX | DAYTONA BIG RED, REFERENCE 6263 STAINLESS STEEL CHRONOGRAPH WRISTWATCH WITH BRACELET CIRCA 1979

Dial: silvered Calibre: cal. 727 manual winding, 17 jewels Movement number: 10’465 Case: stainless steel Oyster, screw-down crown, pushers and back Case number: 6’294’555 Closure: stainless steel Rolex Oyster bracelet with integrated folding clasp Dimensions: 37mm diameter, bracelet circumference approximately 190mm Signed: case, dial and movement Accessories: Rolex Guarantee dated 11 February 1978, sales tag and presentation case

DIAL: in very good condition, luminescent material intact and lights up evenly under UV light. Hands in very good condition, chronograph hand shows slight discoloration. CASE: In very good condition, edges remain sharp, very minor hairline scratches visible throughout, original sticker on caseback. Bezel and insert in very good condition. Caseback inside engraved 6263 C.R.S. Pushers are service. Bracelet: ref.: (VF) 78350 / 19 endlinks: 571 MOVEMENT: running at time of cataloguing, chronograph starts, stops and resets to zero Please note that the movement has not been tested for the accuracy of its timekeeping. Please note that Sotheby's does not guarantee the future working of the movement and that a service may be required at the buyer's discretion.
"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."

The last in the long lineage of the hand-wound Rolex Daytonas were the references 6263 and 6265, produced from 1969 to 1988. The former came with a black acrylic bezel, as in this instance, and the latter with a stainless-steel bezel.
They are regarded as the ultimate evolution of the vintage Daytona models. Superseding references 6262 and 6264, and following the success of the experimental 6240, the 6263 and 6265 models are further distinguished from their preceding references by the introduction of larger, screw-down chronograph pushers and winding crown and the addition of 'Oyster' signed to the dial. The introduction of these attributes marked the standard for all future references and are still utilised on Daytona models to this day. The present piece is preserved in truly remarkable condition. The case has very sharp edges and still retains the original sticker on its case back. The Big Red floating dial is splendid with the lume plots all present and complete and with the patina perfectly matching the hands. The watch is fitted with its original matching bezel as well as its 78350 bracelet in beautiful condition with its correct 571 endlinks. 

Last but not least, it is accompanied by its Rolex Guarantee, tag and presentation case. This lot will captivate the most demanding connoisseur.