1974 Rolex Daytona Ref. 6265

In 1963, Rolex presented a new chronograph model they dubbed the Cosmograph. While Rolex had already been producing chronograph watches since the 1930s, this represented the first time that the brand gave a specific name to a chronograph model. The first Cosmograph was the ref. 6239 and what you may not know, is that it was not a Daytona…yet. The Daytona name only joined “Cosmograph” on the dial in 1964 to emphasize Rolex’s partnership with the then-new Daytona Speedway in Florida and thus, linking the watch to the high-adrenaline world of motorsports. Fun fact: Rolex first called the Cosmograph the “LeMans” after the famous French endurance race but switched to “Daytona” to better speak to an American audience. Today, the Daytona name has completely taken over and although the watch is still officially called the Cosmograph Daytona, it is far more often simply referred to as the Rolex Daytona.

Following the ref. 6239 and the ref. 6241, Rolex unveiled the Daytona ref. 6240 in the mid-1960s. Sometimes referred to as a transitional or prototype reference, the Daytona ref. 6240 featured the screw-down chronograph pushers rather than the pump style pushers. This improved the water resistance of the Daytona, thus, the ref. 6240 was the first Daytona to include the “Oyster” label on the dial.

Next in line came the Daytona ref. 6262 with the metal bezel and the Daytona ref. 6264 with the black plexiglass bezel in the late 1960s.

Finally, in the early 1970s, the last iterations of the manual Daytona made their appearance. (It’s worth pointing out that Rolex made some ultra-lavish gold and diamond hand-wound Daytona models in the 1980s, but these were special-ordered and only a handful was made.) This pair included the Daytona ref. 6263 with the black bezel and the Daytona ref. 6265 with a metal bezel–and the subject of today’s spotlight.

Offered here for sale is a mint example of a Ref. 6265.

The silver soleil panda dial is perfect, presenting beautiful yellow patina lume plots and matching hands. The case is sharp, thick, and unpolished, showing very little wear. The bezel also remains in great shape, with very few minor scratches of normal wear.

Suited on its original bracelet, it remains tight and with little stretch.

The manually wound movement is clean and running strong, as it has been fully service by our watchmaker.