Rolex

Chronographs first appeared in the Rolex catalog in 1937 utilizing movements from Valjoux. The initial single button two register pieces were soon followed by the now familiar configuration of two buttons and three registers. The first oyster, chronograph was the Ref 5034, followed by the 5035, 6034, 2334, which graduated to the 6238. As so often with Rolex, the differences between references can be almost imperceptible and often seemingly trivial, with many parts interchangeable between these references. This belies the importance of these collective improvements over time. The arrival of the Ref 6239 and 6241 are particularly notable as they brought significant change. While the case remained the same as the 6238, Rolex introduced the use of inverted colors for the chronograph sub dial. The tachymeter scale was moved from the dial on to the watches enlarged bezel, increasing the watches diameter my 1mm, a small change that made a significant visual difference. The References 6238, 6239 and 6241 (the same as the 6239 except for the replacement of the steel bezel with a black acrylic bezel) were all available from Rolex retailers simultaneously, with reference numbers for the 6238 being seen as late as 1.69m whilst Ref 6239 as early as 923,000 serials and 6241 from 1.5m. 

The next evolution was the transitional reference 6240. This is the first time Rolex introduced screw down pushers for the chronograph and they are found with a serial range between 1.2m – 1.6m over of a production period of around 2 years, making them the least produced 4 digit Daytona along with the Ref 6262. There were multiple dial configurations over this period, including silver and black dials, as well as a handful of Paul Newman variants, those with and without the words "Oyster" or "Daytona" on them, some with "T-Swiss-T" at 6 o'clock and some with just simply the Rolex name on the dial below the coronet. Of those with Daytona on the dial, it is found below the word Cosmograph, either in big or small text. Big Daytona text versions are more common, and pleasingly with the small Daytona versions, the Daytona text appears to be floating below Cosmograph, as with the current watch. What makes this even more unusual and rare is the 4^th line of text found on this watch.

Tiffany & Co is undoubtedly the most historic, iconic and prestigious luxury retailer in the United States. Established in 1838 by Charles Lewis Tiffany and John Young with a $1,000 loan from Tiffany’s father, the first store was opened in 1838 on Broadway, before later moving to their flagship location on 5th Avenue and being renamed Tiffany & Co. Tiffany & Co’s relationship with watches goes back to their earliest days, and they have reserved their horological partnership to the world’s two most preeminent watch brands, Patek Philippe and Rolex. 

Tiffany & Co stamped Daytona’s of any era are some of the rarest and most desired vintage watches on the market, and in this instance, found on the dial of such a rare reference and in such condition makes this a unique opportunity for collectors.