This example, with the blue and red ‘Pepsi’ dial bezel, is dated ‘II 58’ and engraved to the case back for the original owner David R Chambers.
He was a radar operator in the RAF marine craft section and, as indicated by the original Rolex guarantee booklet, he bought the watch while on National Service in Singapore in March 1959. An early example of a classic, complete with original box and paperwork, it sold for £16,500 (estimate £12,000-18,000) at Gardiner Houlgate (20% buyer’s premium) in Corsham on October 21.
Rolex Daytona ref. 6265/6262, c.1971 – £43,000 at Gardiner Houlgate.
This Wiltshire sale – topped by a Rolex Submariner 5512 with Explorer 3-6-9 dial sold by the family of the original owner for £175,000 (News, ATG No 2465) – also included a Rolex Daytona ref 6265/6262.
This new generation of Daytonas, c.1970, introduced the 727 calibre movement, a larger winding crow and many new dial types. These included the exotic ‘Paul Newman’ dial watches that are the rarest (and most expensive) on the market.
This example, from a private consignor, had a typical silvered ‘T Swiss T’ dial, silvered tachymeter bezel and triple black subsidiaries. Last serviced in 1974, it was in original condition but the movement was not functioning. A good project for a collector seeking an untouched watch, it took £43,000 (£15,000-25,000).
