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Lot Essay
Reference 6239 was in production from 1963 to 1969. It is the first “Cosmograph Daytona”, the beginning of a legend which goes on today.
The present example is particularly interesting because of its dial layout: it bears a light blue Daytona signature. This kind of signature is usually found on reference 6262, which is nearly identical to 6239 but with an updated calibre 727. However, the very last pieces of reference 6239 were made virtually at the same time of the production of the first 6262s. These late models indeed can mount a 6262 dial, most probably because Rolex, having depleted the supply of proper dials, did not deem necessary to order a new batch just for the production tail, and instead adopted the new dials which were being made for the new reference.
The piece, beyond its rarity and unusual dial layout – in fact the light blue Daytona signature is incomparably rarer than the red one – offers an insight into the semi-industrial process watchmaking was at the time, and how Rolex approach was focalized on practical and effective solutions. Considering that the company marketed itself as the foremost maker of professional, reliable and efficient timepieces, one cannot avoid and point out how the same values were applied to their production methodology.
The present example is particularly interesting because of its dial layout: it bears a light blue Daytona signature. This kind of signature is usually found on reference 6262, which is nearly identical to 6239 but with an updated calibre 727. However, the very last pieces of reference 6239 were made virtually at the same time of the production of the first 6262s. These late models indeed can mount a 6262 dial, most probably because Rolex, having depleted the supply of proper dials, did not deem necessary to order a new batch just for the production tail, and instead adopted the new dials which were being made for the new reference.
The piece, beyond its rarity and unusual dial layout – in fact the light blue Daytona signature is incomparably rarer than the red one – offers an insight into the semi-industrial process watchmaking was at the time, and how Rolex approach was focalized on practical and effective solutions. Considering that the company marketed itself as the foremost maker of professional, reliable and efficient timepieces, one cannot avoid and point out how the same values were applied to their production methodology.