Rolex Reference 6240 'Small' Daytona | A stainless steel chronograph wristwatch with bracelet, Circa 1965 | 勞力士 型號 6240 'Small' Daytona 精鋼計時鍊帶腕錶，製作年份約 1965

Property of an Alitalia Airline Pilot
Rolex

Reference 6240 'Small' Daytona
A stainless steel chronograph wristwatch with bracelet, Circa 1965

勞力士 型號 6240 'Small' Daytona
精鋼計時鍊帶腕錶，製作年份約 1965

Dial: silvered
Caliber: cal. Valjoux 722 mechanical, 17 jewels
Case: stainless steel, screw down case back
Case number: 1'298'349
Closure: stainless steel Rolex Oyster bracelet with folding clasp
Size: 37 mm diameter, bracelet circumference is approximately 175 mm
Signed: case, dial and movement
Box: yes
Papers: no
Accessories: Rolex presentation box, International Service Guarantee card dated August 29, 2018, service invoice dated August 29, 2018, and hang tag

Condition Report:
Case: The case is in overall very good condition with light signs of use throughout and previous light polish. Inside case back stamped '6239'. The later added bracelet is in good condition with light surface scuffing throughout. The bracelet is stamped '78350', end links stamped '557 B', and clasp stamped 'X 1'.

Dial: The dial is in overall good condition with signs of light spotting and age. Some minor losses to the outer dial from 12-1 o'clock. The plots have been relumed. Service hands and crown.

Movement: The movement is running at time of cataloging, however it was not tested for the accuracy of time or duration of the power reserve and may need service at the buyer's discretion. Please note that Sotheby's does not guarantee the future working of the movement.

Catalogue Note:
Introduced in 1965, the reference 6240 was the first Daytona to incorporate screw-down pushers and thus became the first waterproof Cosmograph model to be produced by Rolex. Manufactured solely in stainless steel, the chronograph also features an acrylic tachometer bezel calibrated to 200. There were a few different dial variations found on the reference 6240. Early examples such as the present watch are distinguished by the lack of ‘Oyster’ written on the dial, not yet referring to the screw down pushers. Instead, this example features a dial version better known on the reference 6239 with the ‘small’ Daytona designation. This shows that Rolex was still using the non-Oyster 6239 dials for some of the new reference 6240 watches. The next dial type was similar but with the model name ‘Daytona’ now in larger text. It was only for the later examples of reference 6240 did Rolex fit a dial with the ‘Oyster’ designation. In production until 1969, it is thought that no more than approximately 1,700 pieces were made.

The present lot is consigned by an airline pilot, who purchased the watch as a gift to himself in the late 1980s after successfully completing the Alitalia Flight School and earning his license to fly for the airline, now known as ITA Airways. The watch was relied upon as a trusted companion for more than 30 years as he flew around the world.