6265, Venezuelan 'Oyster Split', Yellow Gold

Amongst the earliest ref. 6265 examples made in yellow gold, this extremely rare ‘Oyster Split’ Daytona bears both a fascinating South American history and many aesthetic distinctions of early precious metal 6265 production (including millerighe pushers of the earliest seen examples). The Jubilee bracelet it wears creates an extraordinary aesthetic and is in fact a simple result of its history: stamped D’A –short for D’Agosto—the Venezuelan Rolex-authorized retailer of this era. This is an exceptional and distinct Daytona across many verticals, most notably its entirely known provenance. 

This example was the personal watch of one Dr. Ángel Gracia Rodrigo, born 1931 in Zaragoza, Spain. He emigrated to Venezuela in his early adult life and built an entire career there, completing a Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine at the University of Madrid. His own CV states that he co-directed the first successful transplant of a dog's corneas into both eyes of a human (no eye banks existed in Venezuela), described nine small-animal diseases new to Venezuela and five new species of acanthocephalan worms, and published 23 papers. Aside from research he was more well-known for his media career. For 20 years he was a syndicated columnist in El Nacional, El Universal, and Meridiiano for over 30 years he produced science programmes on Venezuelan radio and TV, VTV and Canal Cinco. He won Venezuela's National Prize for Scientific Popularisation in 1978, the most concrete honour on his record. His second passion was tennis, and he served as VP then President of the Venezuelan Tennis Federation, directing the national team to five Davis Cup victories and serving as a dignitary to establish training partnerships with the US. He served as captain of the side that won Venezuela's first-ever South American championship—the Copa Mitre—beating Chile in Bogotá. He was also editorial secretary of the magazine Tenis Sport. This full and diverse life bore many fruits, one of which was this Daytona. He was, in period, even photographed wearing it at a media event next to storied footballer Pelé. 

In 1970 the gold Cosmograph was born under refs. 6263 & 6265 as steel sales were slowing. These were the very first Daytonas ever submitted for COSC testing. The very earliest 6265 examples bore this dial which features a Superlative Chronometer Officially Certified text floating far under the Oyster, leading to its Oyster Split name. Oyster Splits can be found with smaller and larger font, this is the latter. The floating placement was quickly corrected, within a year, rendering these as one of the rarest early dial variants. In addition, this watch features gold millerighe pushers, which debuted on the 6240 but are also found on the earliest precious metal 6263 & 6265. Only COSC calibre 727s were given serial numbers, and this example has one of the lowest recorded at 010X. This exmaple features an 18k case with a ‘C’ South American import hallmark, on its original D'Agosto Jubilee. 

At fewer than 2000 examples estimated to have been manufactured conservatively, the yellow gold four-digit Daytona is a rare bird in any configuration. The myriad factors of provenance, Oyster Split dial, low movement serial, millerighe pushers, 18k case, two dot crown, and D’Agosto Jubilee make this a Cosmograph quite unlike any other known today. 

This 6265 presents in excellent overall condition. Its case is very strong with defined edges and a full proportion. Its external hallmarks are both deep and well-defined. Its dial is extremely well preserved, with only extremely light signs of patina on the dial main, sporting tanned tritium that matches handset in visible and UV spectrums. The correct bezel features minor signs of light oxidation near the crystal junction. The bracelet was professionally tightened recently, and the watch was serviced by Rolex in 2013. The calibre 727 is running well in specification still and all function of chronograph operation are working well. Please enquire directly for a fully detailed report.

This example is modelled on an average-sized 7-inch wrist.