The 6262 S/S ‘Bobby Unser Daytona Nero’ aka ‘The Star Of Indianapolis’

ROLEX. AN EXTREMELY RARE AND HISTORICALLY IMPORTANT STAINLESS STEEL CHRONOGRAPH WRISTWATCH WITH BRACELET AND ORIGINAL GUARANTEE

SIGNED ROLEX, COSMOGRAPH, DAYTONA, REF. 6262, CASE NO. 2’416’819, MANUFACTURED IN 1970

Cal. 727 mechanical movement, 17 jewels, black dial, applied baton numerals with luminous accents, luminous hands, outer fifths of a second divisions, three engine-turned silvered subsidiary dials for constant seconds, 30 minutes and 12 hours registers, tonneau-shaped water-resistant-type case, blank bezel calibrated for 200 units, screw back, screw down crown, two round chronograph buttons in the band, stainless steel Rolex Oyster expandable bracelet, case, dial and movement signed.

With undated Rolex Guarantee, bearing the serial number in blue ink.

1970: This year, approximately 347.000 watches, more or less, are produced by Rolex’s workshop. They bear serial numbers comprised between 2.241.000 and 2.589.00.

The two new versions of the push button Daytonas are now in production, ref. 6262 and ref. 6264. Ref 6262 is fitted with a steel bezel graduated to 200, and its total production is estimated at 9.000 pieces in steel and a few dozen in gold. Ref. 6264 has a bezel with black plastic insert and estimates put the production at some 1700 pieces in steel and 300 in both the gold versions (14k and 18k). Both models are powered by the latest generation 727 caliber. The standard dial features the Daytona designation curved above the central sub-dial.

This reference 6262 cannot be surpassed in terms of condition since it is brand new. It retains its green protective sticker on the case back and all elements of the case and bracelet are immaculate. Furthermore, for the joy of the ultimate perfectionist, it comes with the original Rolex guarantee and instruction manual. Reference 6262 is extremely rare and this example, in perfect condition, is a once in a lifetime opportunity. To Rolex aficionados fascinated by history and provenance, this Daytona is relevant and meaningful to the firm’s DNA. It belonged to none other than the celebrated Bobby Unser. Which other original owner could add more panache to a Rolex Daytona than a celebrated racecar driver.

Superlatives should be used with care and never in a sensationalist way. The present Cosmograph Daytona deserves descriptions ranging from “once-in-a-lifetime-opportunity” to “historical” since only a handful of Rolex watches possess all the following ingredients such as maker and model, aesthetics and mechanics, rarity, condition, history and provenance.

Courtesy of Christie's

50 EXCEPTIONAL EXAMPLES OF THE WORLD’S MOST CELEBRATED CHRONOGRAPH WRISTWATCH AUCTION

GENEVA – 10 NOVEMBER 2013

LOT 16
ESTIMATE PRICE: SFr.60,000-120,000
PRICE REALIZED: SFr.149,000

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