ROLEX | DAYTONA, REF 6240STAINLESS STEEL CHRONOGRAPH WRISTWATCH WITH TROPICAL SUBSIDIARY DIALS AND BRACELETCIRCA 1966

Dial: silvered Calibre: cal. 722 manual winding, 17 jewels Case: stainless steel, screw-down back Case number: 1'438'871 Closure: stainless steel Rolex Jubilee bracelet and folding clasp Dimensions: 37mm, bracelet circumference approx. 180mm Signed: case, dial and movement Accessories: Rolex guarantee and presentation case

MVT: is running at the time of cataloguing and the chronograph functioning. CASE: in overall good condition with signs of wear throughout as there are light surface scratches throughout. Bracelet with stretching, folding clasp stamped "Made in in U.S.A., endlinks stamped 555 and 49. DIAL: in good condition overall. Light staining visible towards the edge around 9 o'clock, some loss to the luminous dots as well as very minor blemishes throughout. The registers are tropical and now a deep chocolate brown. Hands in good condition likely exchanged during service. The watch has not been tested to determine 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 present watch is a very rare example of a reference 6240 that is very collectable for a number of reasons. With a 1.4 million serial number, it was released in the early batch of watches introduced for this reference and as such features a rare dial. Known as the Jumbo Daytona, Rolex experimented with different dial configurations before becoming satisfied with the reference 6263 and 6265. While earlier Daytona models featured a small Daytona script below "Rolex Cosmograph", Rolex also introduced a different dial configuration displaying a slightly larger "Daytona" font. It was only much later that Rolex printed the "Daytona" designation above the subsidiary register positioned at 6 o'clock.

Furthermore, the subsidiary registers have aged to a stunning tobacco brown tone, contrasting against the bold white graphics. Secondly, the mark 1 pushers are correct and the watch is accompanied by its original accessories including the original invoice. The Jubilee bracelet is also the rare version and is stamped with the big Rolex logo nicely matching the dial. The reference 6240 was first introduced in 1966 and discontinued in 1969. Not considered a commercial success there were numerus complaints about the size of the crowns and pushers. The present watch, from the first year of production is a fine example and considered rarer still due to accompanying accessories, Jumbo Daytona dial with very appealing tropical register and original pushers.