Rolex. A Fine and Rare Stainless Steel Chronograph Wristwatch with Bracelet
Rolex. A Fine and Rare Stainless Steel Chronograph Wristwatch with Bracelet

Signed Rolex, Cosmograph Daytona, Ref. 6240, Case No. 1'439'224, Circa 1966

Details
Rolex. A Fine and Rare Stainless Steel Chronograph Wristwatch with Bracelet
Signed Rolex, Cosmograph Daytona, Ref. 6240, Case No. 1'439'224, Circa 1966
Movement: Manual, Cal 722, 17 jewels
Dial: Silvered, baton numerals with luminous accents, three black subsidiary dials
Case: Stainless steel, black bezel, two screw-down buttons in the band, screw back, 37mm diam.
Bracelet/Clasp: Rolex stainless steel Jubilee bracelet and deployant clasp, overall approximate length 8 inches

Lot Essay

Reference 6240 was the first "Oyster Cosmograph" model produced by Rolex. This novelty was predominantly characterized by the screw down push buttons. In production only during the second half of the 1960s, it was replaced by the better known references 6263 and 6265.

The present watch is distinguished by its early non-Oyster dial, not yet making reference to the screw down pushers. In fact, this example still features a dial version better known on reference 6239, for example, with the sought-after small, shifted Daytona designation. Only for a second generation of reference 6240, Rolex designed a dial with the Oyster denomination.

Other examples of Rolex chronograph models featuring the small "Daytona" designation are illustrated in 100 Superlative Rolex Watches by John Goldberger, p. 238, 246 & 247 and in Rolex Daytona - a legend is born by Carlo Pergola, Stefano Mazzariol, Giovanni Dosso, pp. 46 & 51.

Meanwhile, the more standard version of the reference 6240 with "Rolex Oyster Cosmograph dial" is described and illustrated in Rolex Daytona - A Legend is Born by Carlo Pergola, Stefano Mazzariol, Giovanni Dosso, pp. 76-92, in I Cronografi Rolex - La Leggenda by Pucci Papaleo Editore, pp. 304-311, and in 100 Superlative Rolex Watches by John Goldberger, p. 239.

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