The 6269 18K ‘Diamond Bezel Champagne Oyster Cosmograph’ aka ‘The Diamond Halo’

ROLEX. AN EXTREMELY RARE AND VERY ATTRACTIVE 18K GOLD AND DIAMOND-SET CHRONOGRAPH WRISTWATCH WITH BRACELET, ORIGINAL GUARANTEE AND BOX

SIGNED ROLEX, OYSTER, SUPERLATIVE CHRONOMETER, OFFICIALLY CERTIFIED, COSMOGRAPH, REF. 6269, CASE NO. 9’676’142, MANUFACTURED IN 1986

Cal. 727 mechanical movement, 17 jewels, gilt brushed dial, applied baton numerals with luminous dots, luminous hands, engine-turned black subsidiary dials for constant seconds, 30 minutes and 12 hours registers, tonneau-shaped water-resistant-type case, diamond-set bezel, screw back, screw down crown, two round screw down chronograph buttons in the band, 18K gold Rolex Oyster bracelet, case, dial and movement signed.

With Rolex punched guarantee dated May 1989.

1986: Rolex produces approximately 707,000 pieces, engraved with serial numbers from 9.154.000 to 9.861.000.

Rolex introduces the new reference 6269 and reference 6270, the most luxurious Daytona versions ever produced and manufactured in very limited numbers. These models sport 18K gold cases, featuring bezels embellished with brilliant (Ref. 6269) or baguette (Ref. 6270) cut diamonds.

Incredible though it may seem, in the 1980s the “jewel watch” is more popular among men than women.

The female public does not seem to appreciate these precious timepieces. They are considered far too ostentatious to be worn during the day and ladies do not wear sporty timepieces with evening dress. It is quite a different story for male customers. The “jewel watch crowd” is very diverse. Jewelled watches can often be seen on the wrist of Arab and Texan oil tycoons, kings and emperors in exile (such as Faruk and Bao Dai), Hollywood actors and directors. No matter how diverse the members of this crowd are, the common denominator is always the Rolex wristwatch, which in the 1970s asserts its supremacy as a man’s status symbol. The undisputed king of this category is ref. 6269, produced in around 30 examples in the 1980s. Its diamond-set bezel and generous gold case demonstrates that the owner is wearing a status symbol nothing short of a masterpiece that catches everybody’s eye. Reference 6269 and reference 6270 are, in principle, defined by the case design and type of bezel mounted.

Reference 6269 always has the diamond set bezel, as shown here, but its left sufficient room for Rolex, its retailers and clients to choose different dial versions. This example beautifully highlights the diamond set bezel without the pave set dial “stealing the show”. This touch of sobriety results in the gold of the case and dial embracing the shiny diamond circle of the bezel, for a simply superb final effect.

Courtesy of Christie's

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

GENEVA – 10 NOVEMBER 2013

LOT 35
ESTIMATE PRICE: SFr.180,000-360,000
PRICE REALIZED: SFr.425,000

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