76 Rolex Coming from the Personal Collection of Pucci Papaleo, Very Important and Well Preserved, Daytona, Chronograph Wristwatch in Steel, With Incredibly Rare Black Cherry Logo Dial, Reference 6262

Estimate: €70,000 –⁠ 150,000

Model: Daytona
Reference: 6262
Case Material: Stainless Steel
Bracelet Material: Leather Strap
Year: 1971
Movement: Manual
Caliber: 727
Case N°: 2 733 442
Dimensions: 37 mm
Signed: Dial, Movement and Case

At the beginning of the ’70s, the first specimen of the Daytona family (ref. 6239), finally hands over the reins to its natural heir, the reference 6262. Made in 1970 for only two years, the production of the reference 6262 is scarce and can be considered as part of the smallest production runs of the iconic Daytona. It represents a more modern chronograph which features some changes both in terms of stylistic layout and mechanical innovation. The lugs design, for example, is different from its predecessor and the caliber is the updated Valjoux 727. The dial of the 6262 also demonstrates a new graphic for the writing: the Daytona signature is curved around the central sub dial, the spaces between the letters are now more regular (compared to the previous dials) and the color printing is either black, white or sometimes with a celestial hue. Anyway, there are some exceptions, such as the present lot which shows a truly remarkable and fascinating “cherry-red” tone of the signature, making it extremely collectible. A further note has to be done: Rolex had already experimented a few years earlier with the effect of the red lettering on the Daytona dial. In fact, in 1967, a small number of references 6239 and 6241 were discreetly marketed with both silver-plated soleil and black dials, in which a first version of the circular Daytona inscription printed in red above the central counter appeared. Anyway, they should not be confused with the later “cherry logo” version for 6262, like the present lot, which is far more important, both for the accuracy of its graphic composition, which makes it the true forerunner of the future paladin of watch collecting, the “Daytona big red”, but above all for the small number of examples that have appeared to date, making it one of the rarest variants of Daytona collecting. Its Daytona lettering in red is very well detailed and positioned at a regular, but narrower interval than normal. The rest of the graphic elements are in line with the characteristics of a common dial for 6262, the only difference being that the printing here is very textural. Dramatically enhancing the overall aesthetics of the timepiece, the signature gives an overall sense of modernity to the wristwatch and represents the stylistic explorations of the Rolex manufacture. A forerunner to the choices Rolex will make for the dials of later models, the curved Daytona writing on top of the central register will be a typical characteristic of the 6262 and 6264. At the end of 1972, these two models went out of production and with it Rolex abandoned for the second time the idea of using the red color for the Daytona inscription, much more aggressive in visual impact than the usual white or black. Moreover, on the dials of the models left in the catalogue, references 6263 and 6265 with screw down pushers, the word “Oyster” was immediately added and the Daytona inscription was even removed. History tells us that these watches struggled to come out of dealers, so, perhaps out of the need to make them more attractive, Rolex decided to revise the graphics of their dials. Starting in 1977, the Daytona inscription made its return on the dial of the Oyster Cosmograph. This time it was larger, directly printed in a bold red, and became a standard that was never abandoned, accompanying the references 6263 and 6265 until the end of their production in the mid 1980s. Offered in absolutely remarkable conditions, the present 6262 is one of the most charming and absolutely rare ever appeared on the market and, furthermore, directly come from the personal collection of Pucci Papaleo, one of the most respected and distinguished collectors and book producers all over the world, making the present lot a truly special object to purchase and keep.