Rolex - WINNING ICONS – Legendary Watches of the 20th Century New York Thursday, October 26, 2017 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: 1985
    Reference No: 6265/3, inside case back stamped 6263
    Movement No: 16,521
    Case No: 8'617'132
    Model Name: Cosmograph Daytona
    Material: Stainless steel and 18k gold
    Calibre: Manual, cal. 727, 17 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Stainless steel and 18k gold Rolex Oyster bracelet, stamped 93153, end links stamped 493, max. length 200mm
    Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Rolex flip-lock deployant clasp stamped 93153, J10
    Dimensions: 37mm. Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial and movement signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by original Rolex presentation box, product literature, two additional bracelet links, copy of Rolex service papers dated 2001, photo album, letter from Bruce J. Leven, and Rolex service box.

  • Catalogue Essay

    “I want a Daytona with a twist”. These words gave birth to the rarest of all Rolex Daytona Cosmographs: the possibly unique reference 6265/3 in yellow gold and steel. It started with the very first Porsche 962, with chassis #1, purchased by Bruce J. Leven, a successful entrepreneur turned racecar driver and team owner of the Bayside Disposal Team in 1984. To commemorate this occasion, the Vice President of Rolex USA offered Mr. Leven to choose a watch from the Rolex catalogue. This is when it became the rarest of all reference 6265s as Mr. Leven requests a version in stainless steel and gold, something that Rolex never made before, and to our knowledge never made since. It’s an extraordinary Daytona custom made by Rolex that dreams are made of. Wonderfully preserved, the case is full, the lugs sharp and the black dial retains all luminous plots. It’s fitted on its original, Rolex-made two-tone steel and gold bracelet, with matching steel and gold endlinks. This lot comes with its original fitted box, literature, and Rolex service papers and records from 2001 that confirm it as a reference 6265/3. In addition to Mr. Leven’s signed letter, photos of himself and the Porsche 962. A modern, factory ‘bespoke’ Rolex is hardly ever heard of, making this watch an extremely rare opportunity to own a unique Rolex Daytona.

  • Artist Biography

    Rolex

    Swiss • 1905

    Founded in 1905 England by Hans Wilsdorf and Alfred Davis as Wilsdorf & Davis, it soon became known as the Rolex Watch Company in 1915, moving its headquarters to Geneva in 1919. Like no other company, the success of the wristwatch can be attributed to many of Rolex's innovations that made them one of the most respected and well-known of all luxury brands. These innovations include their famous "Oyster" case — the world's first water resistant and dustproof watch case, invented in 1926 — and their "Perpetual" — the first reliable self-winding movement for wristwatches launched in 1933. They would form the foundation for Rolex's Datejust and Day-Date, respectively introduced in 1945 and 1956, but also importantly for their sports watches, such as the Explorer, Submariner and GMT-Master launched in the mid-1950s.

    One of its most famous models is the Cosmograph Daytona. Launched in 1963, these chronographs are without any doubt amongst the most iconic and coveted of all collectible wristwatches. Other key collectible models include their most complicated vintage watches, including references 8171 and 6062 with triple calendar and moon phase, "Jean Claude Killy" triple date chronograph models and the Submariner, including early "big-crown" models and military-issued variants.

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Ref. 6265/3, inside case back stamped 6263
An extremely rare and possibly unique 18k gold and stainless steel chronograph wristwatch with presentation box and associated papers and images.

1985
Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed
37mm. Diameter
Case, dial and movement signed

Estimate
$100,000 - 200,000 
CHF97,400-195,000
€85,200-170,000
HK$781,000-1,560,000

Sold for $218,750

Contact Specialist
Paul Boutros
Head of Watches, Americas
+1 212 940 1293
pboutros@phillips.com

WINNING ICONS – Legendary Watches of the 20th Century

New York Auction 26 October 2017