A very rare Daytona watch recently arrived on our doorstep, Ref. 6263. Originally placed on the market in 1963, the iconic chronograph Ref. 6263 hit the market a few years later in the early 1970s. They were highly sought after on the secondary market. Both models were equipped with Rolex Oyster cases, which meant they were water-resistant. They also both rely on the Valjoux cal. 727 movement. Where they differ is in the bezel. The number 6265 has a steel bezel, while the number 6263 has a striking black bezel. 6263 has a striking black bezel. Rolex produced this model for over a decade before discontinuing it in 1987.
Our example here is an early version of the Daytona 6263 listed in 1971. Notably, it was provided to us directly by the original owner with a full set of the original boxes, papers, and hangtags. It was serviced in 1995, during which time the crown, barrel, crystal, pushers, gaskets, and pads were replaced. Rolex serviced it again last year, replacing many of the same parts as before, in addition to the chronograph seconds hand and the hands-on all three subdials. It has also recently been polished and satin-finished, as reflected in the Atelier brochure that came with the Rolex.
As we have already mentioned above, Ref. 6263 differs from its 6265 counterparts in that it has a black fixed acrylic bezel instead of steel. Our Daytona has the original bezel with some signs of wear, as would be expected of a vintage Rolex from decades ago. It also consists of Rolex’s signature tachymeter scale, calibrated to 200 units. When combined with the chronograph function, the bezel can measure a variety of statistics while driving, such as distance traveled and speed.
One of the most striking features of the Reference 6263 is its case, which includes unique screw-in pushers instead of the pump pushers used by its predecessors. They are more aggressive in design and instantly recognizable in the vintage watch collecting world. The use of the Oyster case and the upgraded push-pieces give the Ref. 6263 better water resistance to 50 meters, a feature expressed on the dial by the “Oyster” markings. As a comparison, most of the 6263’s predecessors were equipped with non-Oyster cases and pump pushers.
For replica Rolex enthusiasts, the most important feature of many vintage replica watches is the dial, and the reference 6263 offers it. During its production, a number of dial variations appeared on the market, some rarer than others, but each with incredible collectible value.
As you can see, some signs of fading are more apparent than others. There is no denying that the Daytona ref. 6263 is a truly remarkable vintage Rolex with a rich history and great collector value. They are increasingly difficult to find on the secondary market and will only continue to appreciate in value over the next few years – they seem to be a pretty sound investment. If you have the budget, there is no better Rolex in our eyes than the Daytona 6263.