ROLEX COSMOGRAPH DAYTONA REF. 6240, CIRCA 1966 Three body tonneau Oyster stainless steel case, n. 1439940, black fixed 1st series bezel with graduated tachymetric scale to 200 units, screw back stamped 6240, 7mm Triplock crown and screwed pushers. Stainless steel Rolex Oyster bracelet reference 7205 with riveted links and end links 57, deployant clasp.
Matte black dial signed, Daytona inscription under Cosmograph, T Swiss T indication, applied bâton indexes side by side with tritium dots, outer minute and 1/5th of a second divisions, silver engine turned subsidiary dials for seconds, 30-min and 12-hour registers. Luminous bâton hands.
Manual winding movement, two-line signed bridge, rhodium-plated caliber 72B, 17 jewels, column wheel system for the chronograph, lever escapement, monometallic balance regulated by Microstella screws, self-compensating free sprung Breguet hairspring, KIF Elastor shock-absorber.
Diameter Ø: 37 mm
Note: working.

The Rolex Daytona 6240 was launched in 1965 as a prototype and at the same time an evolution of previous models, distinguishing itself immediately for those features that have become iconic over the years: the screwed pushers and the bezel with a black plastic insert. It was the first fully waterproof Daytona model.
Like many other Rolex models, during its production the 6240 reference proposed various graphic options for its dials; the watch offered in this auction has one of the very first, with "Daytona" in small print centred under the inscription "Cosmograph". Another characteristic is the absence of the word "Oyster", later routinely adopted on all the chronographs equipped with screw pushers.
The watch's serial number, as well as the dial, the first series bezel and the 72B calibre testify to the fact that this model is one of the first pieces manufactured (it is estimated that no more than 1,700 Daytona 6240’s were produced), while the subsequent pushers are probably due to a revision carried out over the years.
The dial of the 6240 included in this catalogue is in immaculate condition, and allows us to understand how the watch left the Rolex laboratories more than 50 years ago. The tritium dots have a patina identical to that of the hands; the case has maintained its original proportions and presents very defined lugs, a detail that certainly will not escape the most demanding collector’s attention.