The 6269 18K ‘Diamond Bezel Pavé Oyster Cosmograph’ aka ‘The Jack of Diamonds’

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

SIGNED ROLEX, COSMOGRAPH, REF. 6269, CASE NO. 9’676’144, MANUFACTURED IN 1986

Cal. 727 mechanical movement, pave diamond-set dial, sapphire-set numerals, gold baton hands, three engine-turned 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, 18K gold Rolex Jubilee bracelet, case, dial and movement signed.

With undated Rolex Garantie et Attestation de Chronometre Officiel and Rolex original fitted brown leather presentation box.

The Daytona is probably one of the very first chronographs to have taken the ‘leap’ from being merely a professional instrument to a jewel to be worn on the wrist. Originally, this occurred only with the gold versions and then, in a more resolute manner, for the diamond-set 6269 and 6270 references, released in the 1980s.

The background of these precious dials is achieved by means of a milling process, which carves away the surface, leaving 2 raised rectangles. These two embossed rectangles exhibit the engraved and enameled “Rolex Cosmograph” scripts. The rest of the dial’s surface is then embedded with 240 round brilliant-cut diamonds, and nine brilliant round-cut sapphires. The 6270 reference features a bezel embellished with 28 baguette-cut diamonds, whilst the 6269 reference sports a bezel embedded with 48 brilliant-cut diamonds. The graphics of the subsidiary register at 3 o’clock differentiate from the standard production by having continuous separation notches and are of the same height. The construction process of the dial’s field started with two separate plates which were then overlapped with electric welding. The same procedure was then repeated for the subsidiary registers, created and then overlapped in two notable processes.

It should be emphasizied that both the 6269 and 6270 references, although being produced in only a limited number of examples, are considered absolute forerunners in the field of jewelled watches. Never before had there been ‘series models’ decorated with diamonds, an operation carried out only on request and almost never by the producers themselves, but by independent jewellers.

The presence of a gold dial on a reference 6269 is extremely rare compared to the diamond dial. This is because customers of the time who requested a diamond-set Daytona opted for “the bigger the better” philosophy. The desirability of this watch is further enhanced by it provenance. It was part of the Mondani collection, one of the most complete and envied Rolex collections and was sold at the thematic sale “The Mondani Collection of Rolex Wristwatches” on 14th May 2006. This timepiece is also prominently featured in the book “Rolex, Collecting Wristwatches”, by Osvaldo Patrizzi, 2001 edition, pp. 460, 461.

This masterpiece further impresses the connoisseur with its perfect condition and the fact that it is offered complete with its original box and guarantee, adding historical complexity and collectible appeal to this horology treasure.

Courtesy of Christie's

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

GENEVA – 10 NOVEMBER 2013

LOT 34
ESTIMATE PRICE: SFr.180,000-360,000
PRICE REALIZED: SFr.461,000

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