Released in 1963, the Rolex Cosmograph Daytona has become perhaps the most iconic chronograph the world has ever seen. Famed for its legendary design, a rich heritage in motorsport and ties to famed actor and race car driver Paul Newman whose wearing the watch spurred a watch collector frenzy, the Daytona's reputation precedes itself. However, it wasn’t always that way for the Daytona. Released to celebrate Rolex becoming the Daytona International Speedway's official timekeeper the year before in 1962, the Cosmograph was actually a commercial failure in the early years of its launch. Debuting as the ref. 6239, the reference we have here is the traditional model with a black non-exotic dial with silver subdials that ultimately failed to strike a chord with Rolex’s customers at the time, leading to its rarity when compared to Rolex’s universally popular models like the Datejust, Day-Date, Submariner and GMT-Master. Measuring in at 37mm and powered by the iconic Valjoux cal. 722 movement, the ref. 6239 was up to the task Rolex set for it, but customers would still choose its competitors instead. While Rolex had called the Cosmograph both the Le Mans and the Daytona, they eventually stuck with the Daytona name in 1965 and birthed the fully-fledged icon that we know today. Among the long list of Daytona references we have today, the first-generation four-digit references are the most desirable, with the ref. 6239 that we have here residing as one of the best-known, and the first.

Watch is in excellent overall condition. The case has thick lugs, with only minor surface wear visible. Service bezel has minor surface marking with all the black enamel still intact. Luminova dial in excellent condition, with some minor marks visible on the silvered subdials. The watch comes on a later solid 78360 oyster bracelet with 571 endpieces. It has 12 links total, 2 of which are removable. It fits a 7 1/4" wrist on its widest setting, and shows negligible stretch. Please note: The bezel, central hands are dial are original Rolex service parts.

One of the most universally beloved vintage Daytona variants out there, the ref. 6239 showcases the very best of Rolex's timeless designs through its ability to remain so relevant to this day, even with its smaller case, pump pushers and acrylic crystal. This example has been "updated" with modern service parts, and will glow at night time as it should, and is ready for daily use.