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Lot Essay
With undated Rolex Garantie et Attestation de Chronomtre Officiel and Rolex original fitted brown leather presentation box.
The Daytona is probably one of the very first chronographs to have taken the 'leap' from being merely a professional instrument to a jewel to be worn on the wrist. Originally, this occurred only with the gold versions and then, in a more resolute manner, for the diamond-set 6269 and 6270 references, released in the 1980s.
The background of these precious dials is achieved by means of a milling process, which carves away the surface, leaving 2 raised rectangles. These two embossed rectangles exhibit the engraved and enameled "Rolex Cosmograph" scripts. The rest of the dial's surface is then embedded with 240 round brilliant-cut diamonds, and nine brilliant round-cut sapphires. The 6270 reference features a bezel embellished with 28 baguette-cut diamonds, whilst the 6269 reference sports a bezel embedded with 48 brilliant-cut diamonds. The graphics of the subsidiary register at 3 o'clock differentiate from the standard production by having continuous separation notches and are of the same height. The construction process of the dial's field started with two separate plates which were then overlapped with electric welding. The same procedure was then repeated for the subsidiary registers, created and then overlapped in two notable processes.
It should be emphasized that both the 6269 and 6270 references, although being produced in only a limited number of examples, are considered absolute forerunners in the field of jewelled watches. Never before had there been 'series models' decorated with diamonds, an operation carried out only on request and almost never by the producers themselves, but by independent jewellers.
The Daytona timepiece is therefore, once again the architect of an historic turning point in the way of inventing, developing and producing high-quality watch making.
It is easy to imagine how over-the-top these timepieces must have been perceived by the public at their release, while nowadays bejeweled watches are a must-have in the offer of any watchmaker. The comparison with the first gold Daytonas cannot be ignored: twice already in 20 years, Rolex develops something so forward-thinking, so unbridling innovative, that it is literally ten years ahead of the market's and the public's taste.
Indeed, this revolutionary segment was to be largely produced and would undoubtedly meet with huge success amongst the general public from the 1990s onwards.
The automatic Daytona, specifically in its later version powered by the in-house Rolex movement, has been released many times in jewel-encrusted variants.
Beyond its historical importance, one cannot overlook its simply magnificent aesthetic appeal. The alternation, the shine, and glitter of the diamond pavé is masterfully echoed throughout the entire watch with alternating matte and shiny surfaces. The original Daytona case serves perfectly for this purpose, with its mirror polished side in stark contrast with the satin finished lugs, but also the sub registers present such motif, with the inner flat portion matte with concentric grooves, and the outer inclined plane in mirror effect.
This watch, already impressive for its historical importance and modern appeal, comes complete with its original sales kit, box, guarantee and pouch.
The Daytona is probably one of the very first chronographs to have taken the 'leap' from being merely a professional instrument to a jewel to be worn on the wrist. Originally, this occurred only with the gold versions and then, in a more resolute manner, for the diamond-set 6269 and 6270 references, released in the 1980s.
The background of these precious dials is achieved by means of a milling process, which carves away the surface, leaving 2 raised rectangles. These two embossed rectangles exhibit the engraved and enameled "Rolex Cosmograph" scripts. The rest of the dial's surface is then embedded with 240 round brilliant-cut diamonds, and nine brilliant round-cut sapphires. The 6270 reference features a bezel embellished with 28 baguette-cut diamonds, whilst the 6269 reference sports a bezel embedded with 48 brilliant-cut diamonds. The graphics of the subsidiary register at 3 o'clock differentiate from the standard production by having continuous separation notches and are of the same height. The construction process of the dial's field started with two separate plates which were then overlapped with electric welding. The same procedure was then repeated for the subsidiary registers, created and then overlapped in two notable processes.
It should be emphasized that both the 6269 and 6270 references, although being produced in only a limited number of examples, are considered absolute forerunners in the field of jewelled watches. Never before had there been 'series models' decorated with diamonds, an operation carried out only on request and almost never by the producers themselves, but by independent jewellers.
The Daytona timepiece is therefore, once again the architect of an historic turning point in the way of inventing, developing and producing high-quality watch making.
It is easy to imagine how over-the-top these timepieces must have been perceived by the public at their release, while nowadays bejeweled watches are a must-have in the offer of any watchmaker. The comparison with the first gold Daytonas cannot be ignored: twice already in 20 years, Rolex develops something so forward-thinking, so unbridling innovative, that it is literally ten years ahead of the market's and the public's taste.
Indeed, this revolutionary segment was to be largely produced and would undoubtedly meet with huge success amongst the general public from the 1990s onwards.
The automatic Daytona, specifically in its later version powered by the in-house Rolex movement, has been released many times in jewel-encrusted variants.
Beyond its historical importance, one cannot overlook its simply magnificent aesthetic appeal. The alternation, the shine, and glitter of the diamond pavé is masterfully echoed throughout the entire watch with alternating matte and shiny surfaces. The original Daytona case serves perfectly for this purpose, with its mirror polished side in stark contrast with the satin finished lugs, but also the sub registers present such motif, with the inner flat portion matte with concentric grooves, and the outer inclined plane in mirror effect.
This watch, already impressive for its historical importance and modern appeal, comes complete with its original sales kit, box, guarantee and pouch.