Rolex Cosmograph Daytona "First Daytona" Black Dial Men's Watch 6239

The example on here is the first series of the Cosmograph Daytona that was released in 1963 and featured on its dial the words “Rolex Cosmograph” with a small hashmark, or “underline” underneath. Scholars have stated that it was placed in order denote the transition from the start of use of tritium material on the dial. Given its relative short production, it has become a rarity among Rolex enthuiasts.


Brand: Rolex
Range: Daytona
Movement:  Manual
Case Size:  37.5mm
Dial: Black Tri-Color Dial
Bracelet Material: Stainless Steel
Case Material:  Stainless Steel

The vintage Daytona ref. 6239 sported a 37.5/38 mm case equipped with a duo of pump pushers on the case to activate the chronograph function on the dial. Rolex made stainless steel and yellow gold versions of the watch and regardless of the material, the watch featured a metal bezel engraved with a tachymeter scale. Rolex also made the Daytona ref. 6241, which was identical to the ref. 6239 except for the black bezel marked with a tachymeter scale. Whether in kilometers or meters, a tachymeter scale allows average speeds over a given distance to be measured using the chronograph seconds hand–a practical function at the racetrack.

A signature design detail of the Daytona was the use of contrasting registers on the dial. Making the trio of subsidiary dials in a different color to the main dial offered better legibility for the wearer. In addition to standard dials, Rolex also made ones they called “exotic dials,” now better known as “Paul Newman” dials since the famed actor and racecar driver regularly wore one.  Some of the hallmarks of Paul Newman Daytona dials include a stepped minute track in a contrasting color, highly stylized subdials with Art Deco numerals and square tips, and the running seconds counter including 15/30/45/60 numerals instead of just 20/40/60. Daytona “Paul Newman” models are some of the most expensive vintage watches to collect today.