rolex daytona Archives -

The Art of Timekeeping: The Rolex Daytona Cosmograph Ref. 6262

in Designer Spotlight / Discover / Watches

IMPORTANT NOTE: The watch presented here is being offered for sale as Lot 2000 in our upcoming Fine Jewels & Watches auction, which is open for pre-bidding now and will go live on Thursday, March 16, 2023 After reading the article below, click here to visit the auction or hit the button at the bottom of the page to view this lot.

A Timeless Piece with a Rich Provenance

The world of watch collecting is a fascinating realm, steeped in history and tradition. At the forefront of this world stands Rolex, a name synonymous with luxury, precision, and classic style. One of the most coveted models in the Rolex collection is the Daytona, and today, we are honored to present a particularly exceptional example: the Rolex Daytona Cosmograph reference 6262.

The Rolex Daytona ref. 6262, introduced in 1970, was produced for just one year, making it a highly sought-after and rare transitional model. This piece boasts pump chronograph pushers, a silver dial with black subdials, and a subtle Daytona signature in black. It is powered by the renowned Valjoux 727 movement, considered one of the great watch movements of all time. This watch is in pristine condition, with crisp edges, clear markings, and a pristine dial. The case, bracelet, and movement are all original and the watch has undergone professional servicing to ensure top performance.

The Daytona was a favorite among racing drivers, who relied on its precise timing capabilities to measure their lap times on the track. However, the ability to time events is not limited to the racetrack. This particular watch was used for medical purposes by its original owner, a prominent anesthesiologist, who relied on the watch’s chronograph functionality to keep precise time during medical procedures. He cherished the watch and took meticulous care of it, ensuring its longevity as a valuable tool. The provenance of this doctor and his beloved Rolex Daytona only adds to its significance and appeal to watch collectors.

Where to Buy Rolex Watches

You can find Rolex watches for sale at nearly every one of FORTUNA’s auctions—which we have about every two (2) weeks. We are honored to sell watches from Rolex, one of the greatest brands in the history of the world, and would be thrilled to help you on your journey to build your collection—whether you are a veteran collector or just getting started.

Register to bid at an upcoming auction today.

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Type IIa D IF 4.07-carat Marquise Diamond

FORTUNA® Ends the Year Strong with Important Estate Diamonds

in Announcements / Media

FORTUNA’s most-anticipated sale of the year, the December Jewels & Watches auction, came to an exciting close on Thursday, December 10, 2020 after nearly a full day of live bidding activity. December’s curated collection offered a wealth of iconic estate jewels, important gemstones, and rare vintage timepieces—giving holiday shoppers the perfect opportunity to surprise their loved ones with one-of-a-kind treasures. In total sales revenue, the December auction sold nearly $1.9 million in jewelry and watches, showing promising signs of the return of consumer confidence in luxury accessories. For full sale results, click here.

Rolex Daytona Ref. 6241 in 14K Gold (Lot 1047, *December Jewels & Watches*)

Only a year after setting global auction records for a 1991 limited edition Cartier Crash watch, FORTUNA has returned bringing yet another vintage watch rarity to market. Despite being one of the later consigned items of FORTUNA’s over 400-lot catalog, the impressive Rolex Daytona Ref. 6241 in 14K Gold got the bidding attention it deserved. Amassing one of the world’s largest followings in vintage sports watches, the Rolex Daytona is a tour de force of mechanical timepieces. Debuting in 1966, the Ref. 6241 is especially rare for its 14K gold case—only seeing about 3000 examples made in all metals. Opening at auction with a starting bid of $70,000, the price quickly climbed between multiple phone bidders. After a tense final exchange between two phone bidders, the classic timepiece eventually went for a hammer price of $135,000 and a final achieved price of $168,750.

Special Rolex Daytona Dials

in Watches

Rolex was the official timekeeper of the car races in Daytona, Florida for the first time in 1962. One year later, the company launched its Cosmograph Reference 6239, a chronograph watch that evolved into the Daytona we all know and love today.

Many celebrities and watch collectors, including actor and racer Paul Newman, have been big fans of the Daytona. These watches were created specifically for car racers and have undergone many different styles in their 55-year history. And in the time before Rolex was completely vertically integrated in their production, vintage Daytonas are chockfull of design inconsistencies that have set the vintage watch world abuzz. We’ve put together a small list of some of our favorite Daytona dial variations that have grown significantly in value over the years.

Cartier Crash 1991 Limited Edition - Fortuna December 2019 Important Watches

Record Breaking Cartier Crash Leads Fortuna’s December Sales

in Announcements / Media

NEW YORK, December 16, 2019—Fortuna, the NYC-based auction house specializing in fine jewelry and watches, concluded its final auctions for the year, Important Jewels and Important Watches, achieving over $1.8 million in revenue and setting a world record for the iconic Cartier Crash, one of the most unusual and intriguing watches on the market.

Created in 1967, legend has it that the Cartier Crash, which resembles the melting clocks in Salvador Dali’s “The Persistence of Memory,” was inspired by a timepiece recovered from a scorching car wreck. Reissued in 1991 in a limited edition of only 400 pieces, the rare timepiece is quickly achieving cult-status and has been spotted on the wrists of high profile celebrities, such as a style icon and avid watch collector, Kanye West. Yet, veteran collectors were shocked when the Crash flew by its high estimate of $50,000, achieving $81,250 at the boutique NYC auction house.

Rolex Daytona “Paul Newman”: What It Is and Why It’s So Valuable

in Discover / Watches

Paul Newman’s Rolex Daytona is something of a legend in the watch community. Newman’s iconic wristwatch singlehandedly saved an entire series of Daytona watches, before setting records itself when it sold. In a high-profile auction, the 1968 Oyster Cosmograph Daytona Paul Newman wore over the decades sold for $17.5 million, setting the record for the highest price ever recorded for a wristwatch to date.

Not only is the original watch Newman wore highly valuable, but it has also raised the value of similar models of Daytona watches. As an example, a watch of the same reference number as Newman’s Daytona recently sold for $275,000 at auction.

Who Is Paul Newman & Why Is the “Paul Newman” Daytona So Valuable?

Paul Newman, the famous American actor and philanthropist, starred in classic films like Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, The Color of Money, The Sting and Cool Hand Luke. Many people know him for his movies, but he also put his stamp on history as a professional race car driver and getting a collection of Rolexes to carry his namesake.