A golden beauty that still shines bright three decades later
There are very few vintage references that are as spectacular as this 18k full yellow gold Rolex Cosmograph Daytona 6265, circa 1987. In breathtaking condition, this particular ref. 6265 is as much as a showstopper today as it was when it was unveiled almost 30 years ago.
Gold Daytona 6265
The Daytona 6265 (now vintage) was in production from the early 1970s until 1987 and is one of the most cherished references among the famous Rolex chronograph family. Introduced at the same time as its sibling, the ref. 6263, the difference between these two Cosmographs is the bezel — the 6265 sports a metal bezel engraved with a tachymetric scale while the 6263 is equipped with an aluminum bezel inserted with a white printed tachymetric scale.
Under the Hood
Powering this yellow gold Daytona 6265 is the manual 727 mechanical movement and, as illustrated by the “Superlative Chronometer Officially Certified” label at the 12 o’clock position on the dial, it is COSC certified — a certification exclusive only to the gold versions of the Daytona during that era. Subsequently, the “COSMOGRAPH” label is found above the subsidiary dial at 6 o’clock rather than at 12 o’clock on the stainless steel models. This vintage Daytona ref 6265, along with the ref. 6263 were the last references to run on a manual movement as later generations of the family were outfitted with automatic movements.
Gold
A gold model of the 6265 is a rare occurrence as it’s estimated that fewer than 10% of all 6265 and 6263 in production were manufactured in gold with the remainder crafted in stainless steel. The caseback of this particular reference 6265 is stamped 6263 and is presented on an 18k yellow gold riveted 7205 Oyster bracelet.
The references 6265 and 6263 were the first Daytona watches to come equipped with the Oyster case with a thicker construction and screw-down pushers and crown. The new case design allowed for better protection against water and guaranteed waterproofness to a depth of 330 feet (100 meters). The “OYSTER” designation is proudly placed on the dial under the famed Rolex coronet and logo.
Encased within the 37mm Oyster case is what makes the Daytona so recognizable and sought after — the sporty appeal of the dial. The three black subsidiary engine-turned dials of this 6265 contrast strikingly against its gold background, while the applied gold baton indexes with luminous dots and luminescent accented gold hands blend harmoniously for an overall unforgettable aesthetic.
This Cosmograph Daytona 6265 sublimely crafted in 18k yellow gold and kept in pristine condition would certainly be the jewel in the crown of any vintage Rolex collection. A beautiful reminder of a bygone era.
