Notes: This Rolex Daytona reference 6263 feature a black dial with white registers and is identified as a "Big Red" dial due to the large red "DAYTONA" printed above the hour register. The reference 6263 is the last version of the Daytona made with a manual-winding Valjoux movement and is one of the most desirable vintage Daytona models due to its aggressive look featuring screw-down pushers to increase water resistance (and that garner the watch the "Oyster" designation on the dial indicating enhanced water resistance) and the black acrylic bezel featuring a tachymeter track for measuring speed on a fixed course. Paul Newman actually owned a watch very similar to this that was a gift from his wife Joanne after he gave his other Daytona (a reference 6239) to his daughter Nell's then-boyfriend James Cox. That reference 6239 sold for $17.7 million while his Big Red reference 6263 is still worn and loved by his other daughter, Clea.

Mechanism: This mechanism is derived from the Valjoux 72.

Family Notes: To many collectors, Rolex chronographs are grouped into two categories - Daytonas and "others". And while Rolex has been making chronographs since the 1930s , it wasn't until 1963 that the line of watches was categorized and named - and Daytona wasn't its first name. The original concept for this racing-inspired watch was The Rolex LeMans, and you can even find early advertising copy where the watch you see above - a true Mark I Daytona - is called LeMans. Needless to say, the name didn't stick, as Rolex's push into the American market and into official sponsorship of the 24 hour race at Daytona led to the naming of the reference 6239 Cosmograph as the Daytona. That didn't happen until 1964, and the watch in question here was produced in 1963, but we'll still call it a Daytona because it launched the reference, and thus the entire Daytona line.

From 1963 - 1988 Daytonas were Valjoux-sourced manual wind calibers; From 1988 - 2000 Rolex used a modified Zenith El Primero (Cal. 400). The Rolex version of this movement is called the caliber 4030. From 2000 to present the fully in-house, Rolex designed and manufactured automatic caliber 4130.

The bezel on this watch is distinctive. The numerals are all aligned so that they remain upright all the way around the dial, which is the old school look. A small design element common to all Daytona Cosmographs is sub dials that in some way contrast the dial.