Brand: Rolex

Model: DAYTONA BIG RED

Year: 1985

Reference: 6263

Case: Stainless Steel

Movement: Valjoux 727 manual wind

Material: Stainless Steel

Bracelet: Stainless steel Oyster bracelet, reference 78350, fitted with 571 end links. The bracelet is consistent with the watch and preserved in good overall condition.

Diameter: 37mm

Price: 85.000€

Launched in 1963, the Cosmograph Daytona was designed by Rolex as a professional chronograph intended for motor racing drivers. The early four-digit references, powered by manual-winding movements, represent the genesis of the model and are today regarded as the most historically significant and collectible.

The present reference 6263, dating from circa 1985, belongs to the final generation of manually wound Daytonas. It is offered here in a highly coherent configuration, featuring an original silver “Big Red” dial, complete and evenly aged tritium, matching hands, a correct bakelite bezel, and the upgraded Valjoux 727 movement.

Original silver “Big Red” dial, complete with all tritium hour markers intact. The luminous material has developed a uniform and attractive patina throughout. The original hands feature perfectly matching tritium. The black subsidiary registers provide strong contrast, with period-correct typography consistent with late production examples.

The stainless steel case is very well preserved, displaying strong and well-defined proportions. The lugs retain notable thickness with crisp edges, and the overall geometry remains coherent. The watch shows consistent and honest wear, fully in line with its age, with no significant shocks or material loss observed.

An attractive and well-preserved example from the closing chapter of manual Daytona production, appealing for its condition, originality, and strong historical relevance.