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Lot Essay
In 1965 Rolex released a new Daytona reference, the 6240, available only in stainless steel. It featured a bezel with acrylic insert and new screw-down chronograph buttons. The reference 6240 was produced until 1969, and only an estimate 1700 examples were made.
Early examples, such as the present watch, featured a dial with the "Cosmograph Daytona" designation. Despite being an "Oyster" case with screw-down buttons, early dials did not make reference to this. The dial version is actually similar to that of the reference 6239, with the sought-after small "Daytona" designation. A later evolution of the dial featured the appearance of the "Oyster" designation, which had historically been present on the dials of Oyster cased Rolexes, but was eliminated on the reference 6238, the "Pre-Daytona".
The chronograph buttons on the present example are original to the reference 6240, with the milling on the buttons consisting of small fine grooves, referred to a "mille righe". Later chronograph buttons featured much deeper grooves from the milling, which allowed for improved grip.
The reference 6240 was not well received by the market at the time of its release, consequently making it very desirable today because of its limited production and the case proportions that originally were considered not appealing.
Reference 6240 is described and illustrated in Rolex Daytona - A Legend is Born by Carlo Pergola, Stefano Mazzariol and Giovanni Dosso, pp. 76-92, in I Cronografi Rolex - La Leggenda by Pucci Papaleo Editore, pp. 304-311, as well as in 100 Superlative Rolex Watches by John Goldberger, p. 239.
Early examples, such as the present watch, featured a dial with the "Cosmograph Daytona" designation. Despite being an "Oyster" case with screw-down buttons, early dials did not make reference to this. The dial version is actually similar to that of the reference 6239, with the sought-after small "Daytona" designation. A later evolution of the dial featured the appearance of the "Oyster" designation, which had historically been present on the dials of Oyster cased Rolexes, but was eliminated on the reference 6238, the "Pre-Daytona".
The chronograph buttons on the present example are original to the reference 6240, with the milling on the buttons consisting of small fine grooves, referred to a "mille righe". Later chronograph buttons featured much deeper grooves from the milling, which allowed for improved grip.
The reference 6240 was not well received by the market at the time of its release, consequently making it very desirable today because of its limited production and the case proportions that originally were considered not appealing.
Reference 6240 is described and illustrated in Rolex Daytona - A Legend is Born by Carlo Pergola, Stefano Mazzariol and Giovanni Dosso, pp. 76-92, in I Cronografi Rolex - La Leggenda by Pucci Papaleo Editore, pp. 304-311, as well as in 100 Superlative Rolex Watches by John Goldberger, p. 239.