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Lot Essay
With undated Rolex Guarantee, bearing the serial number in blue ink.
1970 , This year, approximately 347.000 watches, more or less, are produced by Rolex's workshop. They bear serial numbers comprised between 2.241.000 and 2.589.00.
The two new versions of the push button Daytonas are now in production, ref. 6262 and ref. 6264. Ref 6262 is fitted with a steel bezel graduated to 200, and its total production is estimated at 9.000 pieces in steel and a few dozen in gold. Ref. 6264 has a bezel with black plastic insert and estimates put the production at some 1700 pieces in steel and 300 in both the gold versions (14k and 18k). Both models are powered by the latest generation 727 caliber. The standard dial features the Daytona designation curved above the central sub-dial.
This reference 6262 cannot be surpassed in terms of condition since it is brand new. It retains its green protective sticker on the case back and all elements of the case and bracelet are immaculate. Furthermore, for the joy of the ultimate perfectionist, it comes with the original Rolex guarantee and instruction manual. Reference 6262 is extremely rare and this example, in perfect condition, is a once in a lifetime opportunity. To Rolex aficionados fascinated by history and provenance, this Daytona is relevant and meaningful to the firm's DNA. It belonged to none other than the celebrated Bobby Unser. Which other original owner could add more panache to a Rolex Daytona than a celebrated racecar driver.
Superlatives should be used with care and never in a sensationalist way. The present Cosmograph Daytona deserves descriptions ranging from "once-in-a-lifetime-opportunity" to "historical" since only a handful of Rolex watches possess all the following ingredients such as maker and model, aesthetics and mechanics, rarity, condition, history and provenance.
Bobby Unser - Born to Race
Only three drivers surpassed the legendary Bobby Unser's 35 Indy car victories, amongst them his brother Al.
Bobby started driving in 1949 at the tender age of 15 and, before his surprise retirement in 1981, he had triumphed in nearly every form of the sport. He won three Indianapolis 500s (1968, 1975 and 1981), becoming the only driver in history to win the "500" in three different decades. In 1968 he also set a new qualifying record of 169.507 mph for piston-engine cars. His winning speed of 152.882 mph was also a new record.
In 1972 he again established new 1 and 4 lap records at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, winning the pole for the first time at an average speed of 195.940 mph. He would win the pole again in 1981 (his final "500" start) and start on the front row nine times. In 1974 he was named "Martini and Rossi" Driver of the Year. His final two Indianapolis 500 victories were memorable. In 1975 he was leading when a downpour halted the race after 174 laps. In 1981 his victory was delayed for several months in favour of Mario Andretti while the appeals panel debated yellow-flag passing infractions. Unser's win was restored by the panel in October. In all, he won seven 500s, including the California 500 at Ontario in 1974, 1976 and 1980; the Pocono 500 in Pennsylvania in 1980; and the three Indianapolis victories.
One of the most versatile drivers in auto racing history, Bobby owns victories in the International Race of Champions Series, USAC Sprint Cars, Stock Cars and Midgets. In 1993, he came out of retirement to participate in USAC's "Fast Masters Tournament," designed for drivers past the age of 50 driving identically prepared Jaguar XJ220s. He won the championship, conducted at Indianapolis Raceway Park, emerging as the champion from a field of 42 drivers!
1970 , This year, approximately 347.000 watches, more or less, are produced by Rolex's workshop. They bear serial numbers comprised between 2.241.000 and 2.589.00.
The two new versions of the push button Daytonas are now in production, ref. 6262 and ref. 6264. Ref 6262 is fitted with a steel bezel graduated to 200, and its total production is estimated at 9.000 pieces in steel and a few dozen in gold. Ref. 6264 has a bezel with black plastic insert and estimates put the production at some 1700 pieces in steel and 300 in both the gold versions (14k and 18k). Both models are powered by the latest generation 727 caliber. The standard dial features the Daytona designation curved above the central sub-dial.
This reference 6262 cannot be surpassed in terms of condition since it is brand new. It retains its green protective sticker on the case back and all elements of the case and bracelet are immaculate. Furthermore, for the joy of the ultimate perfectionist, it comes with the original Rolex guarantee and instruction manual. Reference 6262 is extremely rare and this example, in perfect condition, is a once in a lifetime opportunity. To Rolex aficionados fascinated by history and provenance, this Daytona is relevant and meaningful to the firm's DNA. It belonged to none other than the celebrated Bobby Unser. Which other original owner could add more panache to a Rolex Daytona than a celebrated racecar driver.
Superlatives should be used with care and never in a sensationalist way. The present Cosmograph Daytona deserves descriptions ranging from "once-in-a-lifetime-opportunity" to "historical" since only a handful of Rolex watches possess all the following ingredients such as maker and model, aesthetics and mechanics, rarity, condition, history and provenance.
Bobby Unser - Born to Race
Only three drivers surpassed the legendary Bobby Unser's 35 Indy car victories, amongst them his brother Al.
Bobby started driving in 1949 at the tender age of 15 and, before his surprise retirement in 1981, he had triumphed in nearly every form of the sport. He won three Indianapolis 500s (1968, 1975 and 1981), becoming the only driver in history to win the "500" in three different decades. In 1968 he also set a new qualifying record of 169.507 mph for piston-engine cars. His winning speed of 152.882 mph was also a new record.
In 1972 he again established new 1 and 4 lap records at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, winning the pole for the first time at an average speed of 195.940 mph. He would win the pole again in 1981 (his final "500" start) and start on the front row nine times. In 1974 he was named "Martini and Rossi" Driver of the Year. His final two Indianapolis 500 victories were memorable. In 1975 he was leading when a downpour halted the race after 174 laps. In 1981 his victory was delayed for several months in favour of Mario Andretti while the appeals panel debated yellow-flag passing infractions. Unser's win was restored by the panel in October. In all, he won seven 500s, including the California 500 at Ontario in 1974, 1976 and 1980; the Pocono 500 in Pennsylvania in 1980; and the three Indianapolis victories.
One of the most versatile drivers in auto racing history, Bobby owns victories in the International Race of Champions Series, USAC Sprint Cars, Stock Cars and Midgets. In 1993, he came out of retirement to participate in USAC's "Fast Masters Tournament," designed for drivers past the age of 50 driving identically prepared Jaguar XJ220s. He won the championship, conducted at Indianapolis Raceway Park, emerging as the champion from a field of 42 drivers!